Suggest Treatment For Shoulder Pain And Inability To Raise Arm Or Rotate

Posted on Wed, 12 Mar 2014

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

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 Answered on

Thu, 3 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My problem is 6+ chronic neck (right side only) & r shoulder pain (pain partcularly, inability to raise arm or rotate). Treated only by pain meds w codeine. ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (4 hours later)

Dear Madam, Well looking into your problem it can be frozen shoulder but we need to know about the symptoms , duration and what all movements are restricted so that be able to help you out and prescribe you what is needed. Please also let me know if you are diabetic. Dr. Shruti

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (10 hours later)

I am not diabetic, controlled blood pressure. Neck & shoulder ache constant, rotator cuff problem? Able to swim, not lift or carry anything. Heat & massage temporary relief.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (13 hours later)

Brief Answer: Follows. Detailed Answer: Dear Madam, Thank you for posting your query on HCM. Well looking into your problem I will like to tell you that you are suffering from rotator cuff tendinitis or frozen shoulder . This is going to take long time to settle . Pain killers and heat and massage will be temporary relief for you . One option you can discuss with your treating doctor is taking intraarticular steroid injection in shoulder which will help in early recovery and brings relief in many patients . Physiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment which needs to be continued for long . Take care. Dr. Shruti

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (12 hours later)

Thanks. Have had cortisine in shoulder twice. No effect. have had this pain for more than 2 yrs. why the neck pain (side) if shoulder is "frozen"? Do i need a specialist? Which?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (11 hours later)

Brief Answer: Follows. Detailed Answer: Dear Madam, Thank you for reverting back. Only physiotherapy can bring relief to this problem , there is no definite treatment . Either taking cortisone injection or taking antiinflammtory drugs will supress the inflammation temporarily , during that time you have to do pully exercises . If you dont do the exercises the effect will wane off and the problem will stand there only . You can see a rheumatologist or orthopedician for the same but I think you have been treated adequately by your treating doctor adequately. Keep doing exercises it will recover spontaneously . Take care. Dr. Shruti

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