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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Pain In The Shoulder Blade?

I suffer terribly with bad shoulder pains all over my shoulder blade, switching between shoulders, usually both but the pain seems to come up the left side of my neck and have recently had a jaw ache on the right side of my face.. for the past two days I ve had lower back pain in the left and down my left leg. I ve been to the doctors many times been told I pulled the deltoid muscle in my shoulder but as it spread the last doctors said they were just heavily knotted and I needed to do stretches. What could this be ?
Mon, 11 Dec 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello. You are probably having a condition called frozen shoulder.

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is stiffness, pain, and limited range of movement in your shoulder . It may happen after an injury or overuse or from a disease such as diabetes or a stroke. The tissues around the joint stiffen, scar tissue forms, and shoulder movements become difficult and painful. The condition usually comes on slowly, then goes away slowly over the course of a year or more.

Frozen shoulder can develop when you stop using the joint normally because of pain, injury, or a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or a stroke. Any shoulder problem can lead to frozen shoulder if you do not work to keep full range of motion.

Frozen shoulder occurs:

1. After surgery or injury.
2. Most often in people 40 to 70 years old.
3. More often in women (especially in postmenopausal women) than in men.
4. Most often in people with chronic diseases.

Your doctor may suspect frozen shoulder if a physical exam reveals limited shoulder movement. An X-ray may be done to see whether symptoms are from another condition such as arthritis or a broken bone.

Treatment for frozen shoulder usually starts with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and application of heat to the affected area, followed by gentle stretching. Ice and medicines (including corticosteroid injections) may also be used to reduce pain and swelling. And physical therapy can help increase your range of motion. A frozen shoulder can take a year or more to get better.

If treatment is not helping, surgery is sometimes done to loosen some of the tight tissues around the shoulder. Two surgeries are often done. In one surgery, called manipulation under anesthesia, you are put to sleep and then your arm is moved into positions that stretch the tight tissue. The other surgery uses an arthroscope to cut through tight tissues and scar tissue. These surgeries can both be done at the same time.

Gentle, progressive range-of-motion exercises, stretching, and using your shoulder more may help prevent frozen shoulder after surgery or an injury. Experts don't know what causes some cases of frozen shoulder, and it may not be possible to prevent these. But be patient and follow your doctor's advice. Frozen shoulder nearly always gets better over time.

with regards- Dr Sanjay Kini
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What Causes Severe Pain In The Shoulder Blade?

Hello. You are probably having a condition called frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is stiffness, pain, and limited range of movement in your shoulder . It may happen after an injury or overuse or from a disease such as diabetes or a stroke. The tissues around the joint stiffen, scar tissue forms, and shoulder movements become difficult and painful. The condition usually comes on slowly, then goes away slowly over the course of a year or more. Frozen shoulder can develop when you stop using the joint normally because of pain, injury, or a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or a stroke. Any shoulder problem can lead to frozen shoulder if you do not work to keep full range of motion. Frozen shoulder occurs: 1. After surgery or injury. 2. Most often in people 40 to 70 years old. 3. More often in women (especially in postmenopausal women) than in men. 4. Most often in people with chronic diseases. Your doctor may suspect frozen shoulder if a physical exam reveals limited shoulder movement. An X-ray may be done to see whether symptoms are from another condition such as arthritis or a broken bone. Treatment for frozen shoulder usually starts with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and application of heat to the affected area, followed by gentle stretching. Ice and medicines (including corticosteroid injections) may also be used to reduce pain and swelling. And physical therapy can help increase your range of motion. A frozen shoulder can take a year or more to get better. If treatment is not helping, surgery is sometimes done to loosen some of the tight tissues around the shoulder. Two surgeries are often done. In one surgery, called manipulation under anesthesia, you are put to sleep and then your arm is moved into positions that stretch the tight tissue. The other surgery uses an arthroscope to cut through tight tissues and scar tissue. These surgeries can both be done at the same time. Gentle, progressive range-of-motion exercises, stretching, and using your shoulder more may help prevent frozen shoulder after surgery or an injury. Experts don t know what causes some cases of frozen shoulder, and it may not be possible to prevent these. But be patient and follow your doctor s advice. Frozen shoulder nearly always gets better over time. with regards- Dr Sanjay Kini