Shoulder Pain

[Kenny1948]

I have had recurring pain in my shoulder, since a fall two years ago.  First I had pain between my shoulder blades and spine which would come and go, with exercise.  Now lately that has subsided but I am now having excruciating pain, in the socket area.  I am unable to reach behind my back, or raise my arm over my shoulder without experiencing this extreme pain. It subsides as soon as I return the shoulder to a normal position.  The shoulder itself feels strange to the touch, like there are tight strands running across it.  I do not have access to an orthopedist, which is why I am asking this question.  I am a sixty one year old male.  I am worried that there could be a tear, or a fracture.  Or is it simply old age related ( arthritis )? This started after a strenuous kayak trip about a month ago. I am also taking flecainide, and simvastatin to treat afib.

[Doss10]

A related discussion, Shoulder Pain was started.

[thnagel]

A related discussion, Strange looking Knee cap was started.

[LindaTX]

Hey, one more thing probably would help.  I almost hate to mention it, but here goes.  A couple of times several yrs back I had to get a cortisone shot in my elbow for  tendonitis or bursitis. I also had to get one in my foot another time for plantar fasciatis.  No fun, just don't look at the needle.  It really did cure it, but I know cortisone shots are not real popular.  I went to a sports orthopedic Dr.  And try some ice on it.  Good Luck and give it a "shot." lol

[Kenny1948]

Thanks for the advice. However I can't use aleve or ibuprofin.  I am taking aspirin ( high dose ) for Afib.  Kind of think it's bursitis, as it comes and goes especially when the weather changes. It only occurs upon movement. Then it can be excruciating.  Like a giant toothache in my shoulder joint.

[LindaTX]

If it is bursitis, cutting back on salt or sodium would also help.  Hope you get to feeling better!

[LindaTX]

Hey Kenny, a good massage or two or three would be a good start.  You know, the thing is, the older we get, the slower we seem to heal. Using it a lot is probably aggravating it Have you tried ice? Some of those stick-on analgesic pain patches might be helpful and of course good ol' aleve or ibuprofin.

[Kenny1948]

Thank you!

[Michael L Gross, MD]

This sounds like it involves the rotator cuff and surrounding bursa.  However, it may simply be irritated, or strained, and not necessarily torn.  To make that diagnosis would requirw an examination and possibly an MRI