Suggest Treatment For Spasms In Shoulder And Elbow

Posted on Sun, 24 Apr 2016

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

Sun, 24 Apr 2016 Answered on

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I use a walker/cane because of scoliosis and disc disease....my left shoulder down to my elbow has been in constant spasm for thee days. I've taken flex aril and used my tens unit with no relief.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
RPI, rotator cuff injury or tendonitis; need to visit your doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Well, most probably due to the use of the walker/cane there could have been some amount of pressure on the arm in the region from the shoulder to the elbow which could be causing the pain. Probably conditions like tendonitis, RPI (repetitious motion injuries), rotator cuff injury, etc. Another common cause could be arthritis (and its different types, but only if you have been diagnosed with it).

I do believe the cause is one of the three first listed conditions, which will require a visit to your orthopaedic doctor primarily because the main approach for treatment is rest, but as you use a walker/cane, that may be difficult to do if you wish to move around. So please do schedule an appointment with your orthopedic doctor.

I hope you find my response helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

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