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Bursitis

I am a right handed 28 years old female. I was injured at my work place (linen service operator) four months ago which included continuous repetitive movements of upper limbs. At onset of pain I had initial symptoms of acute pain around right scapular region with extreme burning sensation in the scapular area. I went to my General Practitioner, who gave me off work for 4 weeks without any medication and diagnose. After 4 weeks I was reviewed by my G.P. again and was sent back to work, though I still had pain in my back. At work place I struggled to do my duties which included repetitive movements. I complained of aggravating pain while performing my duties, but instead of providing me with lighter duties my occupational therapist at work place kept me on same duties which caused me pain and thus increasing further spasm. At home after work I had to sleep in acute spasm which is more restricted to supraspinatus region and scapular area. I kept on complaining to my employer but they forced me to apply ice packs and work so I don’t feel the pain....this was part of my rehabilitation program provided by occupational therapist. Further for 2 months I was under the same rehabilitation program which was based on the fact that I have to keep moving , or I will have a frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), but the other fact that I was never treated initially (at the onset of pain) was neglected and I worked under pain and spasm. It was the start of fourth month when a new symptom appeared....I felt extreme weakness in my right shoulder which radiated to my right hand and I almost felt that my arm is not part of my body (but I did not feel any numbness in my arm, it was weakness with inability to hold a grip tightly over things). At that stage I changed my G.P. and went to a new one, who was shocked to know my history without any X-rays or diagnostics. He prescribed me for X-ray and Ultrasound... which revealed SubAcromial SubDeltoid Bursitis on Ultrasound report.
On x-ray image it showed - Disc space narrowing at C5/6 with marginal osteophytes Facet degenerative degenerative changes are minimal. Foramina are patent.Moderate scoliosis is convex to the right in thoracic spine. Spondylisis is minimal and there is slight disc space narrowing in the mid thoracic region.

Since then I was put on Ibuprofen tabs. 800mg/day for one week and then 400 mg/day for 5 weeks till date along with light duties on waist level at work. Now as it is the end of fourth month I am still suffering with my back pain and now my left hand has started paining (my doctor said it is the compensatory effect of left hand as I am using left hand to work, to avoid pain in rt. arm) with weakness in shoulder and arm, frequent spasm on supraspinatus region on both sides, neck and pain and spasmatic tenderness in the scapular regions. I also have a regular stiffness in the neck and a discomfort and spasm between thoracic spine and medial margin of scapula(seems like spasm in longitudinalis muscle).

Now my G.P. has given up and don’t know what it is. I don’t know what to do.
PLEASE HELP!! !

Tanya Kosynska
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Avatar universal
Hi, I was looking all over the internet about my shoulder pain and stumbled upon your post. I have a very similar problem to yours and I just wanna know how are you doing right now.
I had an MRI and did not find any tear (which is my main concern) , it also stated there that there is nothing in the scan the suggests frozen shoulder but when I went to physio, she said that I do have a frozen shoulder, so confused with what they are telling me and here I am still in pain. I don't want to go into surgery so please tell me what have you done and if you're still in pain.
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Avatar universal
Hi.
If your symptoms are getting worse and it has been several months already, perhaps it is time to consider seeking more aggressive treatment. This is likely to mean a surgical intervention. There are open and arthroscopic (the surgery is done using scopes, meaning smaller cuts into the joint), but bear in mind that the success partly relies on how well the surgeon knows a technique (so part of your decision may mean, going with his expertise).
In the meantime, you may try to take a different anti-inflammatory drug, such as naproxen, diclofenac, or celecoxib. Other avenues to explore are opiod like drugs such as tramadol and injection with steroids into the affected bursa (while this affords a short term benefit, the long term gains from this are controversial, hence perhaps the surgery is the safer bet).
You could ask your GP to refer you to an orthopedic surgeon or a rehab doctor, although at this point, I don’t think physical therapy has much to offer in the long term. There may be some gain with pain control using some modalities like therapeutic ultrasound.
Try to stay positive and Merry Christmas.
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