Unusual shoulder pain
 

Ok, I have had shoulder issues for the past 10 years off and on. Most of the times, its my right shoulder. I have torn both rotator cuffs twice and had them repaired once. My surgeon at the time of the second tear told me it was in the exact same place as before and it would most likely rip again if repaired. None the less, currently both are torn. My left is a tear in the tendon. My right is completely torn off the bone. Thus, my range of movement for both arms is limited to only being able to raise both of my arms to shoulder height. Now i can bend at the elbow to look like I'm signaling a TD or Field Goal but thats the extent of it. I have always been a very avid sportsman. I played football, baseball, and basketball in high school and thats where all my tears took place. 3 in baseball and 1 in football. I was getting a very sharp pain about 10 years ago in the shoulderblade area. It turned out to be my clavicle ( or the bone that is over the shoulder) was rubbing with my shoulder socket itself. I got a cortizone shot and all was good.

Until about a month ago.

I have virtually no pain while working either in the warehouse or with the Bengals. Lifting furniture or general motions are painless. When I relax at night and get ready to sleep, the pain comes on. I always lay on my side and put my arm under my pillow and this cause horrible pain. The pain is in the back of my shoulder more towards the middle of the back and low in the shoulder. Many times, during the night, my shoulder will pop out of socket and I will wake up with it dislocated. I mean not every night but it has happened many times....now and even before.Also, when I drive my car and rest my arm on the center console rest, I have horrible pain on the top of the shoulder and into my neck. It causes me to have problems moving my head to check traffic. I hate to have to shell out mega bucks for MRI's and Xrays so I am trying to self medicate. Has anyone ever had shoulder pain? What works and what doesn't? Do you think this could just be arthritis? I have arthritis in my knees and right wrist but the pain is very tolerable. This shoulder pain is bad. Almost as bad as throwing your back out. Anyone have any ideas???

I have had shoulder pain but your range of motion will not allow you to get rid of it the way I have done. I do Arm Plyo's to get my stabilizers up to par with my resistance training. So Ireally don't know what to tell you except see your PT

great advice. Without being able to actually slowly build up those surrounding muscles...im out of ideas.

Sounds like you may have a pinched nerve. If you can get some muscle relaxers and sleep flat on your back for a few days you should be ok.

I currently take flexarill (sp?) and naproxen. They relieve it a little but like I said, I have little to no pain during the day. I spent all day today delivering furniture and feel fine until I get home and relax.

But this would have been good advice, because that is a great way to get rid of some of those problems.


Bigsmooth, I honestly think you need to get some real medical advice as well.


Yeah, you should definitely be trying sleep flat on your back

Early stages of EBOLA

Thanks to all who have helped. My pain has gone down and is no where near as bad as it was a week ago. I believe I have a pnich nerve because it affects my neck movement. I have been doing some exercises focusing on the neck and it seems to be working! Thanks guys.

glad i could help smooth

I suggest seeing a physical therapist. Having two torn rotator cuffs is a big problem if you're looking to get back into sports. As for your new pain, it may be the beginnings of frozen shoulder? Some symptoms are difficulty moving in most directions, especially limited in external rotation (elbow bent to 90 degrees and elbow tucked in by your side, moving hand away from body) and night pain. It is a lengthy recovery from frozen shoulder, so make sure you get it checked out! good luck!