Suggest Remedy For Stiffness And Pain In Shoulder

Posted on Sat, 14 Nov 2015

Question: Why do I get a very stiff, painful left shoulder if I'm sat in the same position for a while (about 2 hours) or carrying something heavy? It almost always only happens in my left shoulder.

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Muscle injury

Detailed Answer:
good evening

thank you for writing on health care magic

Well the sort of pain you are describing looks more of a muscle tear or a ligament injury. It is very common in young adults especially in young adults. I would like to know a few more details before guiding you further:

1. is it possible you twisted your shoulder in a wrong position some time which you can't recollect or if you slept on the wrong side?

2. how long has this pain been going on

3. is it better in the mornings or worse?

4. do you have to wake up in the nights due to pain?

5. any other joints affected?

6. which all movements are painful... abduction/addiction/internal or external rotation?( you can check the images on Google once)

To confirm the diagnosis an ultrasound would be helpful..

Do let me know these queries. would guide you further from here..

regards
dr naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (4 days later)

That's interesting that it happens more in my age group.

1. That's definitely possible I often try to get to sleep on my side.

2. 5 years maybe?

3. It seems to be fine in the morning, it's when I'm in a car or a train just sat down that it gets bad or carrying a heavy bag.

4. No

5. No, I don't think so.

6. I'm not sure I'd say that lifting it up and internal abduction hurts more.

Thanks, for your advice I might not be able to reply because my subscription runs out tomorrow.

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Shoulder Pain

Detailed Answer:
GOod evening

Sorry for the late reply. Had a long overnight duty

Well, the sort of pain you are having looks more of a muscle injury which gets aggravated in certain positions while at others or at rest, it doesnt trouble you much.

What I what suggest is you get an ultrasound done for your shoulder and see where exactly the point of pain is.

For treatment options, sometimes a local injection in the shoulder joint is helpful. But if the muscle tear is advanced, it may not work so well.

Secondly you need to consult a physiotherapist as it will be the most beneficial thing to do. Short wave diathermy along with few exercises to strengthen the muscle will help.

Thirdly, intermittently you can try using analgesics but since it has been a long standing problem it may not help too much

I would dont delay it too much. If it keeps on progressing it can lead to frozen shoulder.

Hope the information was useful

Do let me know for more queries

REgards
Dr naval

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina