Shoulder pain after physical therapy.

[tayholbub]

   Can physical therapy give you more pain than what you started with?

I'm a 16 year old female and I hurt my shoulder playing softball. I've been doing physical therapy for a year. I had an appointment yesterday. During the appointment they did ultrasound, and put Electra pads on my shoulder. Today my shoulder is hurting me really bad to where my whole arm has throbbing pain. It is bothering me to where I can barely move my arm. Please help.

[tayholbub]

I saw my doctor on the 15th which was last week and he gave me an injection in my shoulder and he also told me that he really doesn't know where my pain is coming from in my shoulder.

[tayholbub]

I will keep informed about my shoulder.

[Tuckamore]

I am sorry to hear that. Please keep us informed. Tuck

[tayholbub]

  No my pain is still the same, but I see my doctor who operated on my shoulder the 15th so hopefully he will know what is causing me so much pain.

[Tuckamore]

Owch!!! Thank you for clarifying it. I beleive that is the small process that comes off the scapula. Hopefully it will be a shorter rehab than the rotator cuff but it sounds like this has been a long ordeal for you. I am sorry for that. I hope your pain is less today. Tuck

[tayholbub]

  No it didn't have anything to deal with my rotator cuff, it was my coracoid. They had to shave 5mm off it.

[Tuckamore]

It does seem strange that therapy hurts so suddenly after a year BUT new procedures can hurt as I said before. Using and stimulating areas of the muscles, tendons and ligaments that maybe didn't get much use can be painful. But the electrial impulses hurt me. I just couldn't handle the increased pain that particular treatment caused me. I was able to tolerate all other forms of PT but the TENS Unit was not beneficial. And the Physical Therapist stopped the treatment. Even he said that I was an unusual patient as most pts find pain relief with the electrical impulses. I would discuss this with your therapist. Ask what the rationale is for the use of the impulses. If it's only to reduce pain you may be able to stop it as it's obviously not working for you. If it's to stimulate nerves and get them at a higher functioning level that you may want to grin and bear it. Rehab can be a long and painful process.  Ultrasound has always been comforting to my tissues and I have not heard anyone claim otherwise so I doubt it was what caused your pain....but everyone is different. Did you tear your rotator cuff? If so those rehabs are long and tough but worth it in the long run. So again do whatever relieves the pain, heat, ice rotation unless you have been told not to do that, iit s often helpful. And don't forget to tell your therapist about the increased pain. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.Take Care, Tuck :)

[tayholbub]

I am referring to electrical impulses. It just started to hurt for no reason after doing physical therapy. My injury is not new this has been going on for a while. The reason why I've had to do PT is because I had surgery on my shoulder in January of this year.

[sandee1818]

It will be sore or a few days. If it does not get better in three to five days see your Dr.

[Tuckamore]

I am sorry for your pain. Yes sometime PT can hurt as they try to rebuild your strength snf endurance BUT if you have been going for a year it sounds strange that it is just hurting now. Ultrasound has eased my pain when applied during PT. You said they put electra pads on your shoulder, are you referring to a TENS Unit that give you electrical impulses? When I had the TENS Unit that did increase my pain and no one could explain why. I would certainly contact the PT Department tomorrow and report your increased pain. Try heat on the shoulder (as long as your injury is not new) and alternate it with ice, unless they have instructed you to do otherwise. Others will respond to your post that may have more information. Please keep us posted. I hope you will soon be feeling better. Tuck