Suggest Ways To Manage Pain In Shoulders After Suffering A Fall

Posted on Tue, 7 Jun 2016

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

Tue, 7 Jun 2016 Answered on

Fri, 8 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 75 year old female with arthritis in my shoulders. three weeks ago I had arather bad fall hurting my shoulder rotator cuff ,hip &wrist. My main concern is that my rotator cuff pain has increased greatly over the last three weeks & mobility is limited even though I had to increase my daily medicine Tramadol 50 mg tab for Arthritis from 1 per day to 2 or 3 pills per day .I went to the emergency room when the accident happened & they didn't take any exrays & told me I had probably strained my rotator cuff & to take sodium naproxen. My G.P>. is a 2 hour drive away & I live alone.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You may need steroid injection in shoulder

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. I think you have injured your cuff.There can be a complete cuff tear. I have following suggestions for you.
1.Hot water fomentation. Volitran ointment can be applied.
2.Tablet Brufen 400 mg twice daily and Tramadol also needs to be continued.
3.Steroid injection can be helpful in arthritis and cuff tear pain.
4.Avoid very cold temperature or doing overhead activities.
These steps will be helpful in decreasing your pain. if your pain continues then you will need to get MRI of the shoulder as there can be cuff tear.
I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if their is any other followup questions.
thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar