Help for pain in shoulder

[Victoria_marie]

I am a 32 year old woman who has had pain in my left shoulder for the last three years.  It was tolerable up until about three months ago.  The pain is primarily in my shoulder area and radiates up the left side of my neck and down the left arm into my hand.  Sudden arm movement causes a sharp pain in the shoulder and arm, but at rest it is usually a dull aching pain.   My ring finger and pinky finger are tingly all the time and I have noticed that I have less strength in my left hand.  At times, the pain is not very severe, but when I stand for long periods of time or use my left arm for reaching or even writing on the chalkboard (I am a teacher), the pain becomes untolerable.  The only relief I have found is to put pressure on my shoulder with my other hand or prop my arm up on something like a pillow as I sit and rest.  About two years ago I had a nerve conduction test on my left hand which revealed a moderate case of CTS.  Could this be associated with the pain I experience in my arm,shoulder and neck?  Within the last several weeks, I also have noticed pain in my right shoulder,neck and arm but not as severe as in my left and without the tingling in my right hand.  I am wondering if I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder or neck.  I have been to my family doctor and he took multiple x-rays of both shoulders, but the tests came back normal.  Would an x-ray show a pinched nerve in my shoulders? He has recomended that I see an orthopedic doctor and have PT.  I am afraid to have any kind of PT because I know that over use of my arms will lead to severe pain within a few hours after doing so and I will feel the effects well into the night. I am also wondering if  I should see an Orthopedic doctor or a Neurologist?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.


This discussion is related to Shoulder Pain, Tingly Arm, Pinched Nerve?.

[Dolphind]

I'm just giving an opinion but it sounds like a torn rotator cuff.  I would see a shoulder specialist because a torn rotator cuff can cause numbness pain down the arm and pain in the neck.  Does it also hurt to lift your arms straight up in front of you?  A MRI can detect a torn rotator cuff and pinched nerves if you have them.  Anyways that would be my first step. Hopefully this is helpful-I had that same problem

[lorigood]

No an xray will not show a pinch nerve.  My thought were you also had a pinched nerve possibly in your neck or shoulder area and is causing your numbness in your hand.
I also have a numb pinky and ring finger on my right hand.  I believe mine is due to a pinch nerve in my elbow.  Try to locate some pysical therepy excercises for you neck and shoulder and see if that helps.  That may be all that is needed to reduce the swelling and pressure on the nerve.  

That is just my opinion, Keep me posted because I know how annoying having the numb fingers can be.  I'm just glad I dont have pain associated with mine.

Take care

[Victoria_marie]

Dolphind,
If I lift my left arm above waist level, yes there is quite a lot of pain.  I can raise my right arm pretty much staight up with limited discomfort.  I do have to raise both arms slowly though or they tend to "lock up", esp. my left arm.

Thank you for your input Dolphind and Lorigood.  I will make an appt. to see an orthopedic doctor.

Victoria_marie

[auntb41164]

Hi, Sorry to hear about your pain...I am going through the excact same thing,right down to to the neck pain...You gave the same symtoms...I have pain since Nov. of last year...Last nov. I went to the ER for headaches...They used an auto blood pressure cup...The cup went hay wire and squeezed my arm so tight that I felt something go down my arm through my viens,,,I told them what happened ...They looked at me as though I was nuts...Ever since then I have had this pain...My arm and shoulder hurts so bad sometimes I cannot bare it. Now my doctor doen't care to see me anymore as they are affilated with the same  hospital where I was injured...I have not seen a lawyer or anything...I know how you feel about using your arm...I went tuesday for a mamogram (mammogram), thought I might have cancer ,won't know the results until a couple weeks...I sure paid the priced that night...The pain is overwhelming ...I hope you can find help soon...Let me know...I wish you well...God Bless auntb41164

[JPNewf]

Hi Victoria,

Sorry to hear you are going through such pain. Have you considered seeing a Chiropractor? or Massage Therapist? Or Both?

You could try the less evasive approaches and see what happens!

Good luck and I hope this helps.

[Dolphind]

Your welcome.  I had a torn rotator cuff and had to have the surgery so I know what your feeling.  I had many of your symtoms and sometimes it can mimmick a neck problem because the pain radiates. I actually thought it was my neck.  There is so much with the shoulders.  You also may possibly have a pinched nerve going on too. I saw a chiroprator and ended up with an entrapped nerve- so I would get the MRI first and then decide your treatment as far as PT, chiropractor because nobody will really know what it is until you get the test done.  Once again I'm no expert.  I'm sorry I didn't tell you good luck before and keep us posted!

[auntb41164]

HI there Victoria, I hope you are doing better. Please read on the forum the answer Dr. Paul
gave me...auntb41164 about the blood pressure cup.Did you hurt your arm in any way lately?
PLease read the other post question ,that I sent...Please keep in touch as to encourage each other...Love Brenda

[wizzo]

Also adhesive caps or bursitis may cause your pain treatable by injections directly to your shoulder. an orthopedic dr would be my suggestion.

[wizzo]

X rays the cheapest way to go on a disk problem have them check for narrowing. An MRI not out of the question. Dont want to scare you, but many factors in your case, can mean a few different things. see an ortho asap

[Victoria_marie]

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and input.  As an up-date, I have been taking a muscle relaxer called, Skelaxin that my doctor prescribed to me.  It seems to help when the pain is severe.  I was given a bunch of samples but it is pretty expensive so I will need to take another med. when I run out of my samples.  Otherwise, I have been trying not to use my arms too much.  I am off work for the summer and hope I can get this resolved before the fall.
I have not made an appt. to see a specialist yet.  I have been doing some online research on doctors in the area.  I will see one soon.  Well thank you again!
Take care to all,
Victoria