Hi, Have had a painful shoulder now for over two months.. it started from a slight pulled muscle in my pec. That pain has now gone..
since then have developed pain and stiffness throughout the whole joint. Is worse at night and often wake feeling like I’m being stabbed in the top of the shoulder, or that my arm is being twisted round my back.
My shoulder does flare when my RA is symptomatic, but currently i have no other visible inflammation and my crp is rarely high. (Sero-positive RA, RF & anti-CCP).
I saw my rheumatologist on Christmas Eve and he’s unsure if my shoulder is RA issue, or thinks it could be rotator cuff. Ivd had x-ray and referred for mri -which will prob be up to 6 months.
Has anyone else had rotator cuff issues and if so how did it resolve? Time etc.. atm I get some respite with heat on the joint and regular anti-inflammatory / painkillers. Consultant won’t offer steroid injection until he knows what it is. And I had a steroid injection just last week in different joint.
pain is driving me round the bend.. lack of sleep and is my dominant side so makes everything difficult.
If anyone has any shoulder wisdom be much appreciated 🙏🏻
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Sapphire1701
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My shoulders are both painful, my lest shoulder is the worst. I’ve recently had an ultra sound of it, which was almost more painful than the shoulder itself. The results show wear and tear and a bursa. I can’t raise my left arm at all without pain, and I’m very left handed. It keeps me awake at night and cocodomol doesn’t make any difference. I’ve had steroid injections in the past, but they don’t always work, so now I’ve been referred for a nerve block under ultra sound.
Yes I had rotator issues before my RA was stable I had physio exercises and used pain relief. I was careful not to make it worse doing any exercise that irritated it took a while but went.At times I couldn't put my coat on or do bra up or drive. Hope it resolves.
After years of ‘physio’ I demanded x rays on my shoulders . Subsequent mri of one shoulder and ultrasound of the other has shown a subluxed acromioclavicular joint in one shoulder and tendonopathy in two tendons in the other. Your issues could be caused by any number of things. Consultant requested MRI (NHS but private hospital). I paid for the ultrasound. Since then I stood my ground on my elbows too and insisted on X-rays after was told needed physio. Have extra bone growth and a malunion of the right elbow. I’ve also learned a lot of new long words…🤦♀️
Like Helenw7, I had severe pain in my right shoulder, which an ultrasound found to be due to tendonitis and bursitis, which made raising my arm impossible. I’m fortunate that steroid injections into the joint, have always settled things down. I also found that heat pads offered relief. Hope it settles soon 🤗
My son had a slight rotator cuff injury after messing around. The local sports physio was able to diagnose and gave exercises to treat it..lWould be worth seeing if there is one, ours works with the local rugby squad and recognised it. Straight away from asking a few questions.
Good morning. I've had painful shoulders just as you describe it. I could not sleep on my side and was in pain all the time. There are many programmes on various NHS websites for painful shoulders. I looked at them and over a period of weeks picked the bit from various ones that suited me best. Ie not causing pain. I do those exercises every day and my shoulders are virtually pain free now.This is just one example. nhsaaa.net/musculoskeletal-...
I fell over and fractured and dislocated my right shoulder I do also have RA.After everything had been sorted I was left with pain which stopped me sleeping , physio helped a little, eventually I was given a nerve block using ultrasound which was absolute magic after a few days no more pain.A very different scenario to yours but thought it might give you hope.
I had shoulder pain the other year which started like a pulled pec muscle I eventually went to see my osteopath who worked on it and said it was my rotator cuff. I have a few sessions with him and rested it as much as I could as it was my dominant arm and eventually it healed. I generally find I get on better seeing my osteopath than seeing a physio.
if you like me in wheelchair , shoulder arms , neck do get worn down 30yrs in wheelchair does that to you . i had rota cuff injury , injection ,hot/cold compress,massage, help , but also good night sleep with plenty rest when you hit with bad day.
I'm going for a steroid jab Monday my rotatator cuffs and elbows have really been giving me hell,the jab seems to work for about 18 months since the last one, oh well onwards and upwards.
Hi Sapphire1701I have severely damaged shoulders due to my sJIA and rotator cuff problems.
I required a reversal shoulder replacement many years ago and have hung on for over 10 years so as to keep my own shoulder joint.
I have been in agony with it in the past and still have lots of pain. The left one especially is not much of a working shoulder anymore.
However, the main thing that has enabled me to keep my own shoulder for this long is exercise. Initially, 14 years aho when I was told I needed a replacement I opted for intense hydrotherapy instead which built up the muscle arlund my joint. It wasn't a cure but it certainly helped with the pain and are usage.
I don't do hydro now, but regular home exercises. Surgery for the rotator cuff is available but as I had severely damaged joints too, it wasn't worth having them repaired as I was told they would rear again due to the arthritis.
I'm now on the list for a reversal shoulder replacement and rotator cuff repair, but exercise has been my saviour and enabled me to hold off from having surgery for 14 years.
Thank you everyone for your replies.. overwhelmed by all the problem shoulders. I know it could be so many things! But pretty sure it will be rotator cuff or possibly frozen shoulder.
Some great advice here for me to digest. So thank you all and sending you all my best wishes and thanks x
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