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Popped Shoulder, Sharp Throbbing Constant Pain. What To Do?
My 16 yo sold popped his shoulder out Friday night during a football game. He is in constant pain, unable to sleep due to the pain. He states it is unbearable with sharp throbbing pain with a burning feeling. He also states it hurts all the way around. Took him to a dr Saturday, and the dr did not check his range of motion or strength. Just came in and told us he had old fracture on his xray and that was it. Should I take him back to another dr?
posted on
Fri, 4 Oct 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 5 Oct 2013
Answered on
Sun, 6 Oct 2013
Last reviewed on
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Based on the description of symptoms, I suspect that he could have sustained a soft tissue contusion involving the muscles & tendons causing him severe pain.
An xray will rule out any recent fracture and an MRI scan is necessary to know any soft tissue injury in the shoulder joint.
The initial conservative management of this condition is as follows -
* REST - It is important to rest following the injury to allowed the injured muscle to properly heal.
* ICE PACKING - Apply ice to the injured area in the acute phase (first 48 hours after injury), and then after activities. Ice will help calm the inflammatory response and stimulate blood flow to the area.
* MOIST HEAT APPLICATION - Before activities, gentle heating can help loosen the muscle. Apply a heat pack to the groin prior to stretching or exercising. As a general rule of thumb, remember to heat before an activity and ice afterwards
* ANTIINFLAMMATORY MEDICATION - Oral anti-inflammatory medications (such as Aleve or Motrin) can help relieve symptoms of pain and also calm the inflammation.
* PHYSICAL THERAPY - may speed up the recovery process. Therapeutic modalities such as Ultrasound, Massaging and specific exercises will be helpful.
If the symptoms are not resolving with the above measures, consult an orthopedic surgeon for further evaluation and management.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
Based on the description of symptoms, I suspect that he could have sustained a soft tissue contusion involving the muscles & tendons causing him severe pain.
An xray will rule out any recent fracture and an MRI scan is necessary to know any soft tissue injury in the shoulder joint.
The initial conservative management of this condition is as follows -
* REST - It is important to rest following the injury to allowed the injured muscle to properly heal.
* ICE PACKING - Apply ice to the injured area in the acute phase (first 48 hours after injury), and then after activities. Ice will help calm the inflammatory response and stimulate blood flow to the area.
* MOIST HEAT APPLICATION - Before activities, gentle heating can help loosen the muscle. Apply a heat pack to the groin prior to stretching or exercising. As a general rule of thumb, remember to heat before an activity and ice afterwards
* ANTIINFLAMMATORY MEDICATION - Oral anti-inflammatory medications (such as Aleve or Motrin) can help relieve symptoms of pain and also calm the inflammation.
* PHYSICAL THERAPY - may speed up the recovery process. Therapeutic modalities such as Ultrasound, Massaging and specific exercises will be helpful.
If the symptoms are not resolving with the above measures, consult an orthopedic surgeon for further evaluation and management.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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