What Causes Pain And Inability To Lift Shoulder?

Posted on Sat, 16 Apr 2016

Question: I have been having a great deal of difficulty with my right shoulder, including the inability to raise my arm above my head. In addition, just this week, I have been having aches under my arm and in my chest on the same side. Advil has helped, but I am concerned that is might be something more serious.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be a tear in shoulder muscles

Detailed Answer:
Hello, welcome to HCM.

I have studied your case. Pain and inability to lift shoulder is mostly due to rotator cuff tear. But before I advised you any thing, I would like to know little detail of the illness.

1. Since when you are having this problem?
2.Did you have any trauma to shoulder or history of fall?
3.Are you having Diabetes or Thyroid problem?

Please send me answers of these questions. I will try my best to help you.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

1. Having the problem for about a month.

2. No trauma to the shoulder or fall.

3. I am type 2 Diabetic.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be frozen shoulder

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
After studying your case I come to this conclusion, that you are having rotator cuff tear. That can cause frozen shoulder. In this condition there is restriction of shoulder movement. To confirm this diagnosis I would suggest you to get MRI of the shoulder.
If this MRI shows that there is no cuff tear, then she can continue with physiotherapy. Physiotherapy will take some time. May be three months to improve range of movement.
If there is no response of physiotherapy then other option is steroid injection and manipulation under anaesthesia.This can improve movements as well. In very severe cases there is need of arthroscopy surgery.
I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if there 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. Deepak