shoulder and arm pain

[tomkan]

I cannot lift my left arm up to the side. I can lift it up when i am lying down on my right side though this seems very strange to me. The mri shows no tears. it says mild suprapinatus tendinopathy also degenerative change of the glenohumeral joint with osteophyte formation along the inferomedial aspect of the humeral head. I have had 3 steriod shots, lidicain shot, meds, physical therapy and also rest, nothing is working. I have had rotator cuff and slap tear surgeries in past and know i have arthritis but the doc is stuck on the arthritis and i have had no relief. I think something else is going on its been 3 months with no relief. help!!!

[tomkan]

Thanks Doc i appreciate your advise

[Michael L Gross, MD]

It sounds like you have fairly significant arthritis in your shoulder, as well as a reasonable course of non-surgical management. If have had about 80% success with viscosupplementation for gleno-humeral arthritis.
If you think your treating physician is off base, you can always get another opinion.