A Very painful shoulder

[Veryoldumm]

For the last 3 months my right shoulder is very sore.
It started when I lifted my arm to wave to someone, I couldn’t put my arm down after this- only managed with difficulty.
A few weeks after this I hit my shoulder by smashing into glass wall in the shopping centre ( had a bruise, but this was on the actual arm)
Now it’s getting progressively worse.
I can’t put my arm behind me,
I can’t wash my hair properly or do a ponytail as I can’t full lift my arm.
I can’t towel myself after shower as again, I can’t put my arm behind my back, I can’t even tuck my blouse into my trousers!
Also I can’t sleep on that side at all and lately I noticed when I put overhead jumper on, it’s difficult and very sore to take it off, my arm goes into spasm after.
I went to GP, they weren’t interested and send me for a physio triage ,who gave me some exercises, these are useless and hurt even more .
I don’t know what else to do.
Anyone has similar and what to do?
Could it be broken, cracked or dislocated etc?
I can carry items fully etc, it’s just hurt when I try to lift my arm or use it like that.
Sadly i can’t afford to go private etc.

I read about frozen shoulder, could it be this?

Frozen shoulder?

@gamerchick i read about it but some of the symptoms are not there.
The physio triage said it’s possible some inflammation of tendon etc like bursitis but it’s
just getting worse.

100% frozen shoulder. Back to the gp. Do lots of research before you go though - it can be cripplingly painful and some GPS really have little understanding.

Steroid injection should be the first intervention, if it doesn't work ask for urgent referral to msk.

I remember the pain op, hey all the drugs.

Hi - mine was extremely similar (except for the bashing on the door bit - ouch ) and it was worn rotator cuff. My GP told me to go do the exercises given and if there was no difference after 6 weeks, he'd do a cortisone jab - which he did. Immense relief

@Aurora2023 thank you. Ten triage physio sent me for an actual physio appointment but long waiting list.
I looked on the symptoms of the Frozen Shoulder and I think the main symptom Stiffness it’s not there.
It doesn’t hurt when in rest, only when I try to lift my arm etc.
I was originally thinking it’s the ripped rotary cuff but he said i would not be able to use my arm at all as apparently nonstop sore.

Sounds like frozen shoulder to me too. I used a private highly recommended physiotherapist - he worked what felt like a miracle.

Could be calcific tendinopathy/tendinitis - it’s where you get calcium deposits trapping the nerve. REALLY painful and physio really only works once the calcium has been absorbed (which may need a minor procedure and steroid injection). I know it’s easier said than done but try and get a referral to a specialist from your GP - I really feel for you as shoulder pain is horrible and debilitating.

Hmmm. Well mine was super painful - same as you said - ie not being able to do bra up, jumper on, couldn't sleep on it etc., but it wasn't 100% useless. I'd say about 95% useless tho. It hurt. A LOT. And it came on pretty rapidly too. It's such a horrible pain - you don't realise how much you actually need a fully functioning shoulder. I used to dread putting washing in and out of the machine !

My frozen shoulder started like that. It was extremely painful. The stiffness bit came later. There are 3 stages, I believe. Freezing, frozen and unfreezing.

I had a torn rotator cuff, happened when I slipped on the stairs five months ago. Doc told me to rest it but after two weeks my shoulder had frozen completely and I couldn't manage to dress myself or drive the car. A cortisone jab helped the pain but did not improve my arm movement.

Two appts of intense treatment with a private physiotherapist helped enormously and I now have about 90 % normal use of my shoulder and arm.

Could you have an impingement syndrome? I have had it for over a year. I have a fairly Normal range of movement but if I stick my arm out sideways I can’t lift it without pain. Once it’s elevated it’s fine above my head. I’m paying for private physio and laser treatment as the NHS wasn’t much help. It’s where the tendon is getting pinched going under the acromion or something.

I had impingement too. It took physio and time to sort it. Frozen shoulder and other shoulder issues are common in menopause. Not sure your age, or suggesting that everything is menopause related, but thought I would add.

@AzureBlue99 I’m menopause age just turned 49, so it could be related, also suffer from tennis elbow on my other hand, but I already had this before and it cleared after some months and got back, but the shoulder is so sore!
It’s so annoying..

Seconding that it sounds like frozen shoulder, the frozen part seems to come later which is misleading and can lead to it being misdiagnosed. Mine was painful and put down to a torn rotator cuff but it was only when it moved to the frozen stage that my physio was able to treat it properly.

Sorry for you, it’s bloody painful and stressful.