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What Causes Pain In Shoulder And Arm?

Posted on Wed, 24 Dec 2014

Question: I have pain in the head of the shoulder and with movement I have sharp pains that go down my arm. Can move it forward and backward but not up. Have had approx. 20 injections due to reading of MRI that it was stretched ligaments, also had xray and CT scan done. After time went to get a second opinion, a different doctor scoped it and found 2 bone spurs and removed them. I am still having the same pain I have had since this started back in May of 2013 and getting worse. I'm 53 and grew up on a farm, so use to hard work, milking cows, baling hay, carrying 50# sacks, all those farm things because I didn't have any brothers. Have been in therapy since October 17, 3 days a week.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend you to get a fresh MRI

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and i think that you might be having either a cuff tear or impingement syndrome. I would recommend you to get a repeat MRI of the shoulder joint. As you have mentioned that you have gone through subacromial decompression and despite that there is no relief so we have to find out if there is some other problem or still some disease spurs are present. TIll you get these test done I would suggest you following.
1. Do not get any more steroid injections, as they are harmful.
2. Avoid over head activity.
3. Hot water fomentation can help.
4. Tablet Etoricoxib 90 MG daily can be taken after your doctor's consultation.
I hope these steps will help you. Please share your MRI report with me. I will try my best to help you.
thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Thank you for the reply. I haven't gotten any more injections (from the first doctor) and only the first 2 were steroid from what i was told. I can't do any overhead activities so that isn't a problem. The only time my arm is overhead is when my therapist stretches my arm out and that is with pain. I know I have to keep it moving otherwise I'm told it will freeze up and that will be even worse. I was put on short term disability (in May) by my employment and now am on a leave of absence since I still can't do my job. It has been suggested that I apply for Social Security Disability since it has been since May of 2013 and doesn't seem to get better. Will this get any better? Or am I going to live with this even if my doctor orders another MRI to see what is going on. I would have hoped he would have fixed it the first time. Thanx

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Repeat MRI can tell us what to do

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Do not be panic. It is completely curable condition and you will be fine soon. Get MRI and if it tells that there is rotator cuff tear than you can be treated with a simple surgery.It can be done through key hole procedure.
thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar