Left Arm Pulled By Dog. Having Sharp Tinge And Pain. Doing Physical Therapy. How Long Will It Take To Heal?

Posted on Wed, 16 Oct 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 16 Oct 2013 Answered on

Thu, 7 Nov 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My left arm was pulled by my big dog few months ago, just sharp tinge in left arm and nothing for 2 months but then slowly my left upper arm started having sharp pain on and off on specific movements to the point that I could not close my bra and followed by inability to lift of arm over head, went to see a ortho , X-ray normal, and followed by MRI few days ago is normal, he is pushing opioids , I am doing physical therapy only 25 % improvement , dr says it is frozen shoulder might take years ?
Please give me second thoughts on what is going on.

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Physiotherapy will help-may need further treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us,
I have studied your case with diligence.

As per your history and symptoms there is possibility of frozen shoulder.
For frozen shoulder physiotherapy and exercises are very important.
You can take medication before doing exercises to avoid stretch pain.
If stiffness increases then intra-articular injection shot can be taken.
For severe cases we do manipulation of shoulder joint under anaesthesia.

Another possibility of rotator cuff partial injury leading to persistent pain.
Physiotherapist can help you to improve strength of muscles.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar