Rotator cuff problem?

depglass · ‎03-10-2010

I've had a sore shoulder for months, I make certain arm movements like picking up a coffee cup and there is a twang in a nerve in one spot. DH says rotator cuff, yet I am one of the most inactive people I know, and this is my left arm. I hate to waste a doctor's visit or subject myself to unnecessary exposure.

PINKdogWOOD · ‎05-13-2010

Oh boy do I feel your pain @depglass . Yes it could be r-cuff, this is what I thought happened. My pain is/was mostly arthritis in both shoulders actually becuase I had pain in both mostly left. My process from the start to now about 1.5 yr. Have xrays on file out of the gate, did PT once, loved my therapist, he was great at his work and time w/me, very gentle but worked me. I went home w/exercies to do here. Worked for a few months, back again. COuldn't sleep at all on either side, bad for me. I finally got a cordizone shot in each arm that totally took the pain away, continued workouts at home. A yr later, I had my PCP give me another shot in each arm. That was about a yr ago, so far so good for sure.

So, it may be a process for you as it was for me. If you have it checked out I hope your reslts work out for you.

noodleann · ‎06-10-2015

@depglass wrote:
I've had a sore shoulder for months, I make certain arm movements like picking up a coffee cup and there is a twang in a nerve in one spot. DH says rotator cuff, yet I am one of the most inactive people I know, and this is my left arm. I hate to waste a doctor's visit or subject myself to unnecessary exposure.

The bone spurs (osteophytes) in my shoulders lead to the same symptoms.

Good luck getting a dx.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@depglass

I have torn my right rotator cuff twice. Each individual tear was not to the degree where I needed surgical repair. Both required several weeks of PT, and to this day, I still do many of the strengthening and flexibility exercises done to work through these tears.

As you have seen me say many times on this forum, I do not give advice or make any pretense of a diagnosis. Even specialists in the Orthopedic Field, such as my good friend that specializes in Shoulders/Hip and Knee Repair and Replacement could/would not do that by reading this post.

From my experiences of shoulder bursitis and torn rotator cuff, some of my symptoms were very similar.

I would like to have a 1$ bill for every time I heard someone say: "I hate to waste a doctors visit", or something similar. Unfortunately, for some of them, it was a mortal mistake by losing time that was essential for their issue.

hckynut

hckynut(john)

Still Raining · ‎03-30-2014

Simple osteoarthritis can also can cause pain.

Mombo1 · ‎11-02-2015

@PINKdogWOOD So glad I read your post. I have been having neck and shoulder pain since July...I had the X-ray...PT for 6 sessions...an MRI.. medications...and finally getting my cordizone shot next week. Apparently I have a pinched nerve in my spinal cord and stenosis . To satisfy insurance requirements I had to go through all these steps before getting the shot. I'll be glad to have it all over with. People keep asking me how I pinched a nerve. I just tell them...probably from lifting chubby little grandkids. 🙂

I really don't think so...I'm just getting older.

jubilant · ‎06-10-2010

I'm having this problem now. I gave up my bar bells thinking it was helping but it just kept getting worse. Now I have it in both arms so my Dr. told me to get to an orthopedic. I know one woman who just needed a shot and her pain never has come back so I'm making an appointment this week. I do still do one exercise that seems to help. That is the one where you cross your arm over your chest then cup your hand over your elbow and push. Don't do this without checking it out with a doctor first. You aren't me. I have a lot of experience with stretching and this one has never bothered me. Again....yours could be a whole different ball game so I'd wait till I saw my doctor.

Also, if you have ever had open heart surgery sometimes you can develop shoulder problems from that. That could be my problem so just saying....you really won't know till you get a diagnosis.

Xivambala · ‎07-26-2019

@depglass

If you are experiencing pain or worrisome symptoms, always schedule a doctor visit. A physician will know what to check for, what tests to order, determine what follow therapy is needed, or if a trip to an orthopedic surgeon is warranted. Insurance companies have their rules in place for a reason. It's to insure "no stone is left unturned".

vsm · ‎05-08-2010

@depglass wrote:
I've had a sore shoulder for months, I make certain arm movements like picking up a coffee cup and there is a twang in a nerve in one spot. DH says rotator cuff, yet I am one of the most inactive people I know, and this is my left arm. I hate to waste a doctor's visit or subject myself to unnecessary exposure.

If you're inactive and have had a sore shoulder for months and have pain even when picking up a coffee cup, you could be doing permanent damage. How about a telemed visit if you're afraid of "unnecessary" exposure?

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@vsm

"Unnecessary exposure"? At a doctors office visit? Maybe time for a same gender doctor. If as you say "it could be doing permanent damage", and a telemed exam will do what?

As I said in my original post, even my Ortho Doctor friend, who specializes in shoulder/hip and knee repair and replacement. He would not diagnose any body joint without seeing and manipulating a patient. Joints need that to start a diagnosis.

hckynut

hckynut(john)