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What Does Arm Pain Indicate In An Elderly Person?
Posted on
Sat, 7 Oct 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 7 Oct 2017
Answered on
Thu, 2 Nov 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Occasionally I experience pain in my upper arms. I know if its the left I should be more concerned, but now it is the right and I cannot lift my arm over my head. It only happens every once in a while. I am a 76 year old female.
Brief Answer:
Can be frozen shoulder.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
From the symptoms that you have described, it seems to be Rotator cuff tendonitis or shoulder impingement syndrome which causes irritation and inflammation of the rotator cuff and the bursa when doing the overhead activity and hence pain. You need to get an MRI scan done which is a more sensitive test for soft tissue and muscular injuries. An Orthopedician is the best person to be consulted.
Apart from that, here are some treatment measures which you can follow:
1) Provide complete rest and avoid overhead activities.
2) Apply hot compresses and take some anti-inflammatory painkiller - if Aleve's providing relief, you may take Ibuprofen after consulting your doctor. Oral muscle relaxants may be needed if the pain is severe.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Can be frozen shoulder.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
From the symptoms that you have described, it seems to be Rotator cuff tendonitis or shoulder impingement syndrome which causes irritation and inflammation of the rotator cuff and the bursa when doing the overhead activity and hence pain. You need to get an MRI scan done which is a more sensitive test for soft tissue and muscular injuries. An Orthopedician is the best person to be consulted.
Apart from that, here are some treatment measures which you can follow:
1) Provide complete rest and avoid overhead activities.
2) Apply hot compresses and take some anti-inflammatory painkiller - if Aleve's providing relief, you may take Ibuprofen after consulting your doctor. Oral muscle relaxants may be needed if the pain is severe.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
thank you. I will consult an orthopedic doctor. That was my first concern - do I need to see a doctor and what kind of doctor. I'm claustrophobic. Can you tell me more about having an MRI done. Is there any other way for a doctor to make a diagnosis.
Brief Answer:
Can be diagnosed after clinical examination.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The orthopedician can diagnose the problem clinically also. Regular physiotherapy will help.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Can be diagnosed after clinical examination.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The orthopedician can diagnose the problem clinically also. Regular physiotherapy will help.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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