Shoulder impingement - pain!!

[Toffeewhirl]

Has anyone had this? I pulled something in my shoulder when I stretched one day. Was painful and couldn't raise my hand behind my back.

Saw physio who helped a bit and gave me exercises. Then went on a weekend break to Lisbon, slipped on the cobbles and landed on that arm.

Now the pain is worse than ever. I can barely do the physio exercises and keep my arm pinned to my side to protect it. If I move it wrong or bang it, it's so painful I feel sick.

I can't sleep properly at night because of it, so that's making me grumpy too.

I'm usually fairly stoic if I'm ill, but I'm not being stoic at all this time. I'm thoroughly fed up. Especially because the physio said if it's developing into frozen shoulder, it will take months to heal.

Has anyone had anything like this? If so, what helped?

You slept on the floor! Misery! You poor thing.

Wish I had someone like your DD! That sounds amazing. The massage from the physio was incredibly helpful, so maybe massage should play a role in recovery. I might look into it (but that's more money...).

Sorry your DH had to give up work because of a frozen shoulder. I've been thinking of all the jobs you wouldn't be able to do with this problem - dancer, musician, sportsman/woman, builder... I'm lucky that I just need to sit at a desk and type, so my work isn't affected at all.

I had ops on both shoulders, separately, a few years apart, for impingement. Both operations were successful, although I waited too long to have the 2nd one done, so the muscles were torn and I had to have a titanium screw - took longer to recover post-op and was much more painful..!

But several years on from having both done they're both great - full movement and no pain at all. The post-op physio was pretty brutal, especially after the one with a screw in - but essential to get the full movement back.

It seems to start so easily, but I suppose it's been building up beforehand. I'm glad the op was successful for you, but sorry the other shoulder is starting to go. At least you know what to do!

You mentioned earlier that you’re wfh and you don’t have a proper office chair? Your employer should do a DSE assessment if you use a screen for considerable periods of time, and should provide suitable equipment should the assessment find that you need it.

If you’re self-employed, give yourself a slap on the wrist (carefully, given the circs).

Both apply. I worked from home for two years over the lockdowns and my employer didn't provide a proper office chair. It was an awful employer, to be honest.

Then I went self-employed and continued working on my wooden kitchen chair. Office chairs - even secondhand - are so expensive, so I've put off buying one. Of course, I could have saved a fortune in physio bills by simply investing earlier. But I thought I was doing OK and the wooden chair is actually quite comfy!

toffeewhirl
Like you, I work from home and have a problem with my right shoulder

This started on 1st April this year

Also, like you, I work from home and do a lot of computer based work

I have had an osteopath help but it is expensive! She thought it was ab inflamed rotator cuff

I am 50 snd peri and it seems to be worse at different times of the month

What helps is yoga and not going on the computer

One is achievable the other sadly is not ☹️

My left arm too OP - I'm 48 and the Physio diagnosed frozen shoulder yesterday - I've had pain and very restricted movement for 10 weeks.

I've been referred to a sports/ MKS physician, seeing her mid December.

Hoping for the shots. It came out of the blue, worsened, and is now painful but not worsening. Can't do up a bra.. can't raise arm enough to shave armpit etc! It's white mental really.

I had hydrodistention for frozen shoulder from a specialist, which is no more invasive than the steroid injection treatment. It's not guaranteed but worked for me so would recommend it. I had it after suffering for a year with frozen shoulder both sides with weekly physio/acupuncture that only helped for a day or two afterwards, so wish I had it done earlier.

My consultant appointment cannot come quick enough. If there's a remedy out there I want it!

Asides from the searing pain if I accidentally move my arm in a reflex to catch something falling for example (major pain) or if the tiny dog jerks on the lead (never again in that hand) - the top of my arm permanently feels like I've been punched, or had a covid jab type of ache too.

Sorry it's been going on for so long for you. It's awful that it seems to be so long-lasting. Wonder what the link is with menopause? I'm on HRT, so will still be getting oestrogen.

Yes, I can see that yoga would help. Bet there are lots of adaptations you have to do. Good to keep exercising somehow, though.

Sympathies! Hope the sports physician (physio?) helps.

The bra issue is so frustrating, isn't it? I've been looking up front-fastening bras, but I'm wondering if I can just wear some supportive vests when I'm at home to save all the hassle.

So many things are affected. Everything takes longer because you have only one effective arm and have to move more slowly to avoid pain. I washed my hair in the shower this morning. What a palaver.

Just googled this. It has an excellent success rate, especially with relieving pain. I'll see what the GP says when I see her on 15th.

Glad you found something that worked for you!

Yes, the pain is off the scale, isn't it? I keep thinking my shoulder bones are grinding together and it sets my teeth on edge. And the ache in your arm after any sharp movement - it's very wearing!

I was going to have that - consultant got as far as inserting the needle and somehow touched something that made me start to pass out. He (very grumpily) had to stop and muttered something about me coming back and having it done lying down rather than sitting up. The physio had also managed to apply pressure to a point on my shoulder that had the same effect, so I must have some weird pressure point there.

In the end, I didn't bother rescheduling as during the 6 week wait between the GP referral (when it was super painful) and the procedure it was already markedly less painful and was starting to free up, and it improved rapidly after that.

Not all physiotherapists can do injections. If your physiotherapist is not qualified in joint injection, she can refer you to another physiotherapist who is, or some GPs do injections

Your problem seems like impingement syndrome, and I think injection would help. I had a similar issue in my left shoulder, and my ultrasound scan shows impingement. I had a cortisone shot, and it resolved the problem. Worth trying an injection

@Toffeewhirl so tiring! - the physio asked if there was any clicking and I said no, there is crunching!

What does clicking mean?! I have clicking when I do my physio exercises. Of course, it didn't happen when I tried to demonstrate it to physio.

Thankfully, no crunching!

Sounds amazing!

Hello Toffeewhirl,DH Gave up work, owing to an inflamed rotator cuff, not a frozen shoulder. He was 62, I am 7 years older,so he's not pension age.My second one my GP have me diazepam as a muscle relaxant, which probably would have been lovely....but I was off sick with noravirus (only time I caught it in 40 years nursing) I went outside to get some air,stubbed my toes in the doorway,they went black and swelled up! Honestly,it's it not ONE thing!. I found lying on the floor was more bareable,(I did have a mattress) first osteopath I saw told me to rest the arm...worst possible thing.

Ikea do a black leather office chair which is fully adjustable and not too expensive. I bought mine after developing tenosynovitis problems with my mouse hand, caused by sitting at an incorrect height. It really is worth getting a proper chair.

@PrincessofWellies - thanks for the tip. I'll look it up.

That's just awful! And I agree that resting the arm is wrong. How awful that the osteo mis-advised you. My physio said gentle movement is the answer at this stage.

@Dreikanter - sounds scary. Glad you improved without intervention in the end.

My people!

Frozen shoulder here, tried two steroid injections under ultrasound, weekly physio and still no better so hoping for an operation. Seeing the consultant again at the end of the month but I’m fed up of being in pain.