Shoulder pain and dead arm

[pht2356]

Nerve in neck could be source. Urge you to see doc. Nerve pain usually takes about the same time to heal as it was irradiated.

 

[sunnyboy010101]

Yonni,
What you are describing really does sound like rotator cuff to me. I had it in both shoulders, caused by different things. First case was doing competitive swimming @40. I didn't treat it until it became excruciating - I could not extend and reach for anything without shooting pains all down the arm.

I went to physiotherapy, and she told me there are several types of rotator cuff injuries. Mine was the muscle running through the center of the shoulder. She did the electrical stimulus plus ultrasound and then gave me a few exercises. It took three years, but I went from 5% ability to 95%.

Then I did the same thing with my other shoulder - carrying scuba tanks while teaching. This time I just did the exercises, but I did buy an el-cheapo ultrasound unit ($100) and that really helped. After 2 yearsI got full range of motion and strength back.

So between exercises targeted at the rotator cuff plus ultrasound, I have 95% strength & motion in both shoulders again. And I'm a lot more careful what I do.

 

[Jscriv]

Full disclosure I haven't read any of this other than the OP. I have the same issue of clicking. I also get the shooting pain and the numb fingers and the tightness. You're bone on bone in that shoulder. Your back.muses.are probably knotted and making your shoulder sit funny and pinching the nerve. You need lots of hear, back rubs, and some IB profin. Once you find the right knot you'll feel it in your finger tips. Sometimes I can find it and lean into the corner of a wall and put a bunch of pressure on the knot and it will relieve it. I'm an industrial electrician and some days are spent slinging very large cables or pipes that wiegh 100+ pounds and need to be threaded together. This is the o y remedies I have to make it so I can function without pain killers.

 

[DJCalamari]

I also had tendonitis, same symptoms as you describe. Aside from rest and stretches what ultimately worked was changing out my strap and adjusting my technique. That’s the thing with any repetitive stress injury. It will always come back if you keep doing the same thing.

 

[Lava]

This could be something that is officially called "frozen shoulder". Look it up and see if it's a match.

And that is not good. Don't let it get to this.

 

[Jon McBass]

Any advice or tips?

This sounds like a pinched nerve, possibly in the area of the C5-6 vertebrae. That nerve affects the shoulder, and when it gets worse, can affect down to the hand and fingers.

There may be a trigger point or two in the scalene muscles on the side of the neck that when pressed is tender but might provide some relief when released.

If the neck vertebrae are out if position you can get them adjusted by a chiropractor, but they would likely take X-Rays first to see exactly what’s involved. If it’s a ruptured or herniated disk that’s a different story and they would want to rule that out.

As someone said, massage could help, but not just any old Swedish fluff and buff, should be someone qualified in Neuromuscular Therapy and/or Trigger Point methods, as another person suggested.

Acupuncture has also proved very effective in calming the nerves and inflammation.

Of course, I am not diagnosing here, just anecdotally passing on what I have seen to be effective (I managed a health clinic where these types of modalities were practiced for a number of years).

 

[ozzyismetal]

Sounds exactly like what I got a month or so ago, was diagnosed as an issue with my radial nerve that had slowly built up over time and was just triggered/pinched with an instance of sudden extra use. Have had to go see a physiotherapist regularly, a sports massage program, implement strengthening and nerve-flossing exercises and a further muscle-building program for the opposing side so it doesn't get a sympathy injury from carrying shifted weight.

It's a tough slog but you can absolutely do it and push through the other side if it ends up being this. I'm back to 95% strength and more shoulder mobility than I even had before the injury.

 

[Samatza]

My sage advice is visit a doctor, get a referral to a specialist and get the right treatment because these symptoms could be caused by any of a number of things. I suffer from a damaged spine and often get pains in my left shoulder and sometimes numbness in my left arm, all caused by the muscles in my neck tightening up. I find if I relax my shoulder and keep my back straight it helps. YMMV, get it sorted properly from the outset and get back to good health.

 

[Yonni]

Before you decide to wait it out until your appointment, please ensure ...
Any such significant effects could be a sign of an occluded blood vessel or stroke—and get thee to emerg. Pronto.

Good tip, thanks. Checked and all clear. Over the last 2 years at work 4 colleagues have had heart attacks. All bar one were only a bit older than me (52). The other was the same age as me. He died in the office. The others all had surgery and survived. I’m getting to that age where I think the worst case first.

 

[Hypercaffium]

You need tort.

Seriously, it seems rotator cuff wear inflammation. Check your sitting position at work, playing position, sleeping position (pillow above all) and see an orthopedic. Do you suffer from cervical/neck issues? Many times a dead arm comes from that.

 

[GreyBeard]

Thanks. I think it is rotator cuff wear and tear. I have some arthritis in my lumbar/thoracic region as well which i manage with yoga and occasional co-codamol when its really bad. Its the numbness in my arm that's beginning to worry me but hopefully that's a by-product of swelling as you say. I fidget in my sleep and often end up sleeping on this shoulder, which obviously wakes me up with pain just now.

Getting old sucks.

As I 1st read your post I was thinking of a friend who tore his rotator cuff trying to teach his daughter how to do a cartwheel.

 

[baileyboy]

I just ordered this. It seems to have helped a Lot of people. Worth a shot. Thanks for the tip.

The book will recommend using a tennis ball to "iron out" the trigger points, however, I find a tennis ball has too much give, and is not very effective. This is why I use a lacrosse ball, which works very well. Best of luck to you.

 

[JRA]

I’ve had a slightly crunchy shoulder for a while. No pain or real restriction of movement, just a few clicks. Since maybe just before Christmas it’s got worse. I’ve left it because I thought it was a tendinitis thing that would get better on its own eventually. Today I’ve had to take painkillers just to use the mouse on my computer at work. I get shooting pains when so do certain movements. I get caught out with this once every couple if days now. Not when heavy lifting more like extreme extension or moving my bent arm in front of my chest etc. This is my right ram (plucking). Over the last 2 days I’ve felt a kind of tightness in my wrist too. Now I’ve got forearm tightness and almost (but not quite) pins and needles in my right hand. My right arm just feels heavy and almost dead and my shoulder seems to have dropped lower than my left one. I’ve got a docs appointment next week but thought I’d scare myself in the meantime by asking you all if this sounds familiar to anyone? I gave it a rest from all cycling and playing for about 10 days in April but it didn’t make any difference.
I also mountain bike and did a race last weekend which probably didn’t help. I've also been practicing a bit more recently as I’ve got a new teacher. I’ve been playing about 3 years now. Any advice or tips?

like pcake , my (L) shoulder issues are from rotator cuff (abuse, old age). it's better as time passes, but i've had to make some adjustments to my 'kinetic'/posture routine for playing:
- lighter instruments
- better 'playing angle' via lengthening
- strap button extensions on my gigging axes
- adjustment of my expectations of what to expect from an older, abused body and its parts

good luck with your shoulder issues!

 

[ShoeManiac]

The shoulder is tricky and it can be any of a number of things. I had significant shoulder problems a few years back. I thought it might result in surgery because I thought I was in such pain. But orthopedists see these injuries all the time, and we as patients can probably come across like big babies. As a patient the fear can be very real, as can the pain/discomfort. And WebMD may not be your friend because it can lead to a lot of unnecessary worry .

From my own experience? I went through exams, x-rays, MRI's and a wonderful test called an arthrogram. Not the most fun procedure that I've ever gone through. But my previous thoughts of rotator cuff tears or labrum tears were dispelled and it was likely either tendinitis or what orthopedists refer to as impingement.

PT worked wonders for me. It just takes time, patience and some work. My physical therapist was great. I had a range of exercises that I did under supervision, along with a mixture of heat, ice and ultrasound. Some people like the electrical stim for injuries like this, but it's not for everyone. As for the discomfort? Anti-inflammatories worked well. I wound up on a prescription strength version of Alleve (naproxin, to be precise). But that stuff can do a number on both your stomach and liver over time, so try not to overdo it. And eliminating some inflammatory foods from your diet can help, too, as can proper hydration.

 

[Yonni]

Any of you guys who’ve had rotator cuff issues get muscle pain in the biceps and triceps as well? Sometimes the pain is up around the joint and into my collar bone but sometimes it’s below the joint in my muscles. When I over reach or forget and try to lift something it’s more like a shooting pain in the joint. When that happens I have to let my arm hang without moving it for around 30 seconds before the pain subsides.
Appointment is this Thursday.

 

[pcake]

Any of you guys who’ve had rotator cuff issues get muscle pain in the biceps and triceps as well? Sometimes the pain is up around the joint and into my collar bone but sometimes it’s below the joint in my muscles. When I over reach or forget and try to lift something it’s more like a shooting pain in the joint. When that happens I have to let my arm hang without moving it for around 30 seconds before the pain subsides.
Appointment is this Thursday.

absolutely, yes - pain in the tricep and collar bone.

pain lower could be referred pain, but you also could have hurt more than one area. i have tendonitis and a rotator cuff issue in my right arm, and for a couple years, lifting something could cause sharp and shooting or deep and lasting pain. while the sharp, sudden pain would subside if i let my arm hand, the deep joint pain could last for a week or more, but that was more from reaching over things - unfortunately things like an acoustic guitar or wider lower bout electric bass. i still can't play a normal acoustic guitar or bass.

btw, i find it's better to support the arm near the bottom of the hang rather than let it hand freely. my desk chair is set up to hold my arms up but at a much lower point than average desk chairs.

 

[Samatza]

Any of you guys who’ve had rotator cuff issues get muscle pain in the biceps and triceps as well? Sometimes the pain is up around the joint and into my collar bone but sometimes it’s below the joint in my muscles. When I over reach or forget and try to lift something it’s more like a shooting pain in the joint. When that happens I have to let my arm hang without moving it for around 30 seconds before the pain subsides.
Appointment is this Thursday.

Good to hear you have an appointment, that’s the first crucial step to overcome the problem.

 

[fhm555]

I ignored it in my left arm until my fingers started curling and my hand felt cold all the time. It took surgery on my left elbow and wrist to free the trapped nerves and diligent self PT for the last 18 months to get most of my dexterity back. I’m beginning to feel like i’ve got back all i’m going to and my hand is still somewhat stiff and won’t stretch as far. I covered four frets my entire life on the bass, these days i’m learning to cover three frets. The sooner you get straight dope on your condition the better chance you have of making a full recovery if it is entrapped nerves.

 

[Yonni]

I played for about 6 minutes last night before I could feel it. Today it’s really bad. Having to use the mouse left handed. Already taken anti inflammatories. Will take Codeine once I get home.

 

[pcake]

I played for about 6 minutes last night before I could feel it. Today it’s really bad. Having to use the mouse left handed. Already taken anti inflammatories. Will take Codeine once I get home.

i used to do that playing for under 10 minutes thing after i hurt my shoulder. it didn't really hurt when i was doing it, but it caused further tearing in the shoulder and slowed my recovery.

i get that you're impatient. so was i, and as a result, my recovery took an extra year or two, and after years of recovery, the scar tissue isn't expected to go all the way away. hopefully that won't be the case with you, but can you wait till the doctor sees you, just in case?