Pain on the front of one shoulder
Discussion
Several months ago I was lifting something that was really a bit too heavy and awkward. After I'd done it, I could feel a sharp pain in a small area at the front of my shoulder, like I'd been stabbed with a small spike or something.
I thought it was a little sprain or strain, and assumed it would go away.
It got sort of better, pain went away, but if ever I did any heavy lifting or similar it would come back.
It gives a sharp stab of pain if I move my arm in particular directions, such as reaching behind to take off a coat, for instance, or swimming breast stroke. I guess it is to do with the muscle that pulls the arm forwards?
The medic on my ship says it is probably a torn rotator cuff, but the research I have done shows that as being a tear on the top of the shoulder, not the front.
I'd go to the docs back home, but all he'd do is give me anti-inflammatories and pain killers, I'm sure.
Any suggestions?
I thought it was a little sprain or strain, and assumed it would go away.
It got sort of better, pain went away, but if ever I did any heavy lifting or similar it would come back.
It gives a sharp stab of pain if I move my arm in particular directions, such as reaching behind to take off a coat, for instance, or swimming breast stroke. I guess it is to do with the muscle that pulls the arm forwards?
The medic on my ship says it is probably a torn rotator cuff, but the research I have done shows that as being a tear on the top of the shoulder, not the front.
I'd go to the docs back home, but all he'd do is give me anti-inflammatories and pain killers, I'm sure.
Any suggestions?
It sounds sort of like what I had over Christmas, kept me out of the gym for almost 2 months. It was an inflamed tendon, the lil thick piece of stringy tissue which yoiks your muscles in the direction they wanna go. I had a sharp pain when moving forward, to pick up my laptop, or to change gear etc. I nursed it for weeks, slowly weened myself back into the gym after 7 weeks or so and took it easy...and it is fine. The doc gave me some anti-inflammatories because when I woke up in the morning it was stiff and sore.
Look after it and see a decent GP.
Look after it and see a decent GP.
Go to docs. 6 or 7 years ago I had something similar in the gym. Have had pain in the joint (of varying degrees ever since. Treatment has included physio (useless), chiro (useless), massage (fun, but useless) and an arthroscopy, which my current consultant says was useless.
Currently having cortisone injections, which are working wonders, but it's taking a long time to fix!
If your GP is not a specialist in that area then as to be referred to one: the shoulder is a complex joint.
Currently having cortisone injections, which are working wonders, but it's taking a long time to fix!
If your GP is not a specialist in that area then as to be referred to one: the shoulder is a complex joint.
I was getting similar (landed on my shoulder 6 months earlier in a bike spill) Couldn't hold a bar across mt shoulders without getting a stabbing pain, also started to give the same when doing flyes.
Tried resting it but no effect, was eventually persuaded to see a chiro by my wife. Shoulder had been knocked out of line very slightly, she manipulated me and I was back in the gym that night with no pain.
Wish I'd done it 6 months earlier, she sorted out all the aches and pains that I had assumed were wear and tear that I would have for the rest of my years.
I don't know if all chiros are equal but this lady was in Salisbury, Im sure she could feed 5,000 with a loaf and a couple of fishes as well.
Tried resting it but no effect, was eventually persuaded to see a chiro by my wife. Shoulder had been knocked out of line very slightly, she manipulated me and I was back in the gym that night with no pain.
Wish I'd done it 6 months earlier, she sorted out all the aches and pains that I had assumed were wear and tear that I would have for the rest of my years.
I don't know if all chiros are equal but this lady was in Salisbury, Im sure she could feed 5,000 with a loaf and a couple of fishes as well.
Rotator Cuff actually refers to a group of 4 muscles in front, on top and behind your shoulder. Pain can be in any of those areas.
From your description it sounds like Rotator Cuff injury, have a look at some links:
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Rotator-Cuff-Injur...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6MMD5L7498
From your description it sounds like Rotator Cuff injury, have a look at some links:
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Rotator-Cuff-Injur...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6MMD5L7498
I guess I really ought to see somebody who knows about such things. I've been hoping it will heal itself, but it may be something that won't.
I can ask for a referral to my private insurance and get an MRI or see a physio, as I don't think my local GP is any good at this sort of thing.
Last time I had continual nagging shoulder and bicep pains, on the other side, he just gave me pain killers and anti inflammatories. I eventually sourced the answer myself on Google: posture, in front of the computer. I sat up, moved my chair forward, raised the screen, stopped slouching, pain was literally gone the next day.
I can ask for a referral to my private insurance and get an MRI or see a physio, as I don't think my local GP is any good at this sort of thing.
Last time I had continual nagging shoulder and bicep pains, on the other side, he just gave me pain killers and anti inflammatories. I eventually sourced the answer myself on Google: posture, in front of the computer. I sat up, moved my chair forward, raised the screen, stopped slouching, pain was literally gone the next day.
As has been suggested, sounds like Rotator cuff; It's such a common injury with the shoulder and when you look at the anatomy of the shoulder it's not hard to see why; though it's technically a ball-and-joint socket, the glenoid (the socket) is actually quite flat and the head of the humerus is largely located by the rotator cuff muscles along with the ligaments. Thus, although powerful, it's actually quite fragile and prone to injury.
Yep - Almost definitely a rotator cuff. Avoid (for a long time) any similar movement to the one that caused it, which even means things like pushing doors open, lifting things on to shelves etc. Also avoid putting your full weight through shoulder when seated or prone. Very easy to catch it out again. Shoulders are notorious for taking a LONG time to fully recover. Might be a good time to take up swimming and some strengthening exercises with those giant rubber band thingies etc. I've managed to tweak both shoulders in a similar fashion.
Digger said:
Yep - Almost definitely a rotator cuff. Avoid (for a long time) any similar movement to the one that caused it, which even means things like pushing doors open, lifting things on to shelves etc. Also avoid putting your full weight through shoulder when seated or prone. Very easy to catch it out again. Shoulders are notorious for taking a LONG time to fully recover. Might be a good time to take up swimming and some strengthening exercises with those giant rubber band thingies etc. I've managed to tweak both shoulders in a similar fashion.
It definitly appears to be something at the front, thus pushing anything gives a sharp twinge, or stretching the arm backwards such as taking a coat off.One thing that bugs me is I can't sleep on that side now, without it aching.
I use a rowing machine a couple times a week, 5k in 21 minutes, with no pain. And I also do fast walking and use the treadmill. Swimming hurts, when pushing the arm forward, but I don't get much chance of that in the UK. We're moving overseas soon though, so it'll be regular sun and surf with any luck.
I finally got my finger out last week and went to the docs, who referred me to the local private dude. (company medical insurance, y'see)
Ultrasound was done, and an X ray, and apparently I have pulled a bicep tendon out of its groove, and torn it a bit, and now it is sat against the other muscle further in. The surgeon, same guy who did my Carpal Tunnel op, reckons the best advice is to simply leave it, and in time it will get less painful and my shoulder will learn to accommodate it. he says it could be repaired by keyhole surgery but that could cause complications. The pain has subsided a lot in recent months.
I have a copy of the ultrasound technicians report, with all the long jargon in it, but it means little to me.
Any suggestions of some sort of physio I should do, or best to just leave it and treat it gently?
Ultrasound was done, and an X ray, and apparently I have pulled a bicep tendon out of its groove, and torn it a bit, and now it is sat against the other muscle further in. The surgeon, same guy who did my Carpal Tunnel op, reckons the best advice is to simply leave it, and in time it will get less painful and my shoulder will learn to accommodate it. he says it could be repaired by keyhole surgery but that could cause complications. The pain has subsided a lot in recent months.
I have a copy of the ultrasound technicians report, with all the long jargon in it, but it means little to me.
Any suggestions of some sort of physio I should do, or best to just leave it and treat it gently?
gareth h said:
I was getting similar (landed on my shoulder 6 months earlier in a bike spill) Couldn't hold a bar across mt shoulders without getting a stabbing pain, also started to give the same when doing flyes.
Tried resting it but no effect, was eventually persuaded to see a chiro by my wife. Shoulder had been knocked out of line very slightly, she manipulated me and I was back in the gym that night with no pain.
Wish I'd done it 6 months earlier, she sorted out all the aches and pains that I had assumed were wear and tear that I would have for the rest of my years.
I don't know if all chiros are equal but this lady was in Salisbury, Im sure she could feed 5,000 with a loaf and a couple of fishes as well.
I refer you to my earlier answer! Seriously mate, give it a go it might not sort your problem, but if it does it is money very well spent.Tried resting it but no effect, was eventually persuaded to see a chiro by my wife. Shoulder had been knocked out of line very slightly, she manipulated me and I was back in the gym that night with no pain.
Wish I'd done it 6 months earlier, she sorted out all the aches and pains that I had assumed were wear and tear that I would have for the rest of my years.
I don't know if all chiros are equal but this lady was in Salisbury, Im sure she could feed 5,000 with a loaf and a couple of fishes as well.
gareth h said:
I refer you to my earlier answer! Seriously mate, give it a go it might not sort your problem, but if it does it is money very well spent.
When I get to the Philippines I'll try to find a reputable chiro. The surgeon who did the examination and stuff told me there is every chance a good masseuse might be able to pop the tendon back in place. I'm on a ship now, Gulf of Mexico, but I fly to the PI in five weeks.Babu 01 said:
While bench pressing, i used to get some terrible pain around the back of my shoulder. Reach under my armpit and i could fell a almond shaped muscle. Was really acheyStarted doing these exercises (and a few others) and it got better in a few weeks
If i dont do them it comes back so i do them once or twice a week nowGassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff