Rotator cuff tendinitis

[hotstepper4]

Has anyone has this? I'm in flipping agony.

Shoulder has been grumbling for a few weeks but today it's horrible, called dr and he says it sounds like this.

I can't get comfortable, no painkillers are helping

Any tips?? Desperate!!

Oh you poor thing. Shoulders are agony when they go wrong. I had frozen left shoulder for nearly 4 years now the right is doing the same, coupled with tendonitis in the right arm. Night time is the worst, I would strongly suggest one of those V shaped pillows, that really helps

Has your Dr given you any exercises to do?

Agony. Exercises recommended but didnt help. Was the beginnings of a frozen shoulder. Worst pain ever. I couldnt even walk around in the end as the sheer movement was such agony. Hot water bottle helped but agree painkillers were no help. Ended up seeing good shoulder specialist

The only thing that helped me were steroid injections. Feel for you OP.

Ah thanks everyone. Just hoping it goes away

Did your doctor give you strong pain meds? Mine gave me tramadol for my back when it was out and they did work once I got the dosage sorted. Perhaps if you explain that paracetamol and anti-inflammatories aren’t cutting it he would consider a prescription?

Lean over and let the affected arm dangle and gently pendulum round in circles. Stand facing a wall and gently run both hands up the wall -good one supporting bad, if necessary. That’s what my physio told me recently-tho tbh it’s hurting like hell... she did say keep it moving at all costs, even through pain, as shoulder ‘freeze’ at the drop of a hat and are subsequently a bitch to heal. I may be paraphrasing slightly.

Poor you, I think I have this... I see a physio for other stuff and mentioned it to him - he said shoulder impingement, my dr said tendinitis. Unfortunately the week after I saw my physio in early Feb he had a ski accident and I haven't seen him since... and now everything is shut down.

I have a band of pain round my upper arm as well which is probably referred pain, my physio thinks.

As I knew I wouldn't be having physio, I did mention it to my osteopath. She manipulated/massaged it and it really helped so I highly recommend if you can find one open. It hasn't gone completely so I guess it needs regular treatment, osteopath now closed too

I have strong painkillers for other stuff, shoulder wouldn't be bearable without them so get some if you can!

I have some exercises which I could try to describe if you like? But generally try to keep your upper arm next to your body and move from the elbow, and don't stretch your arm backwards or at any non-straight angle as it won't end well... you can forget putting a bra on

I've had shoulder impingement, it was very painful. Four months down the line and I can almost lift that arm as high as the other arm, although it's still uncomfortable at times. I could only sleep sitting up for quite a while. I used a wheat pillow heated in the microwave every night. Painkillers didn't help. What did help was 4 visits to an osteopath. He taped it up with kinesiology tape, which relieved some of the pain. He then manipulated it and massaged it. I had to do exercises, as described advice, letting your arm dangle and go in circles, but the movement has to come from your shoulder. I also think watching my posture helped.

I hope these tips help, good luck

orthoinfo.aaos.org/globalassets/pdfs/2017-rehab_shoulder.pdf

I'm suffering this too since I had a falling type accident last October. (I lost my footing coming down on a forward facing ladder type area of a tree top walk) both shoulders were wrenched above my head and cracked loudly. Since then and particularly since Christmas I've been in such a lot of pain in one shoulder/upper arm like you too. The movement is greatly reduced, if I catch it the impingement is sickening. I've had physio and a scan and have been told it's an unusually worn joint, and that the upper arm tendons are very swollen- tendonitis therefore not smooth enough to travel around the shoulder joint without getting stuck. It's really difficult. I'm now on a new pain relief Nefopam(after suffering with palpitations/fast heartbeat, stomach issues due to taking co-codimol, ibuprofen etc). Im waiting for an injection but no chance at the moment, and doctors seemed in no hurry before the lockdown either. Wearing a soft bra inside (I'm big busted and no matter what fit, shoulder straps press terribly). I can't reach up to wash my hair on that side, have trouble getting dressed/undressed. Sleep is rubbish agh!
Ibuprofen gel, shoulder rotations, use a resistance band to pull gently against, hot water bottle and frequent use of the painkillers is all I can advise I'm afraid. I feel your pain 💐

How are you doing today OP?

If it’s the resorption phase of calcific tendinitis then the pain is unbearable and I feel for you. In that state, exercises are impossible and even breathing can be agony because of the slight movement involved. The only thing that helps significantly is a steroid injection. If in current circumstances you can’t get one then my heart goes out to you but it will burn itself out.

Frozen shoulder also extremely painful but not quite in the same league of desperation, in my experience. Steroid injection also very helpful (I had hydrodilatation which made a huge difference) but it is a chronic thing and will take a long time to settle.

Either way it’s grim to have an inflamed shoulder.

@LarkDescending How long did it take for yours to go?

@Sarcelle I have had calcific tendinitis in my left shoulder twice in the last few years. On each occasion the steroid injection brought immediate (blessed!) relief, though on one occasion I needed another one under ultrasound guidance a few weeks later for full resolution.

I also have frozen shoulder on the other side for a few months now. I had hydrodilatation back in October which helped hugely but am still on the slow road back to full range of movement. Were it not for Covid I probably would have gone back to the clinic for another injection, but the pain is not debilitating.