Right Arm Lifting

I noticed yesterday that when I reached out with my palm up and tried to lift a glass ashtray that my shoulder couldn't do it and I dropped the ashtray.  No pain, just felt weird and now I am wondering what happened.  It's been this way for the past two days and I did have surgery about four years ago after an auto accident that tore my rotator cuff and librum (don't know about these spellings sorry) I worked on my arms for a long time to get them back to normal.  I haven't had much pain in the last year or so although if I throw a ball it does still hurt a bit.  I am trying to think back at what I did to make this happen and I don't have a clue.  The entire symptom is my right arm, I'm right handed would not let me pick up a maybe 4 lb heavy glass ashtray.  Nothing painful at all. The day before this happened I threw four tennis balls to some kids to play with, strength to throw is not good but didn't feel pain when doing this then this thing happened the next day.  Could I have pulled something out of place?  Is it going to go away?  I have lost 60 pounds over the past year by doing nothing more than cutting the amount of food intake down and eating better foods now I weigh only 122 lbs and I am 5 ft 2 so I look like a child but I am not a child I am an adult nearing 55.  I work a lot with my hands and sometimes maybe overwork but I have to keep going or I think I will end up like other people unable to move and stuck in a wheel chair or a million things I see happen to people who slow down and become couch potatoes.  If anyone has had any symptoms like this and could at least explain what it might be I would appreciate it.  I am a female and like I said had an auto accident, got through all the physical therapy and have been pretty much back to normal and then this thing happened.  Thanks so much for your time ...

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a clinical evaluation it would be very difficult to comment on the situation. Usually most functions can be compensated by other muscle groups in the assisted positions and symptoms may have gone unnoticed for some time. Possibilities that may need to be considered include muscle or nerve injuries, degenerations etc. Without pain inflammations are unlikely however may need to be considered as well. I would suggest getting this evaluated by an orthopedician or a sports medicine specialist at your earliest convenience for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!