Why Do I Have Pain For Several Weeks While Lifting The Arm Straight?

Posted on Sun, 29 Jul 2018

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

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 Answered on

Fri, 2 Dec 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : I have pain lifting arm straight ou for several weeks , pain lessens sometimes after warming up or a little activity. Last dec I pulled horizontally over my head in a rapid jerking motion . I had some pain for awhile that seemed to lesson and go away. Now i have extreme difficulty If I have to lift anything over my head and just use the left arm for anything.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Could be due to frozen shoulder

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

You could be suffering from frozen shoulder. It could be also due to muscle spasm. Hot compress should provide relief. The vicious cycle of pain and spasm needs to be broken and I would insist you to take paracetamol or acetaminophen 500 mg two tablets together twice or thrice daily for next 3 days.

This should ease the problem and make it go away. If it does not, I would insist you to get a X-ray of the respective shoulder (AP and lateral) as well as an X-ray of cervical spine (lateral) done and to see a physical therapist with the reports. Based on the findings he would be able to demonstrate to you proper exercises that should provide relief.

Feel free to write back.

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. Raju A.T