What Causes Numbness And Weakness In Left Arm After Taking Cortisone Injection?

Posted on Tue, 11 Oct 2016

Question: i had a cortisone infection in my left shoulder and although i have not pain....my shoulder ligaments and muscles are so weak. the infection was more than 6 - 8 weeks ago. I am attending a police academy and where i was able to do 35+ pushups BEFORE the injection.....now i cant do one. I also can not benchpress more than the bar. Exercise is giving me limited improvement. how long can this cortisone be in my system? muscular development is this arm is noticeably less than other arm despite the rigorous PT program of the academy. also experience occasional numbness in the left arm.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Loss of muscle strength can be due to inflammation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The cortisone injection just reduces the inflammation. Lack of adequate exercise due to restricted movement of the shoulder joint can cause the muscle wasting that you have. The occasional numbness in the arm is suggestive of a mild nerve root compression. The effect of cortisone gradually decreases in 4-6 weeks. It is better to get an MRI scan done to see the extent of inflammation in the shoulder joint. It will take 10-12 weeks for the muscles to properly regain the strength.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (7 days later)

I do not have any pain in the shoulder and it has been almost 12 weeks post injection. I have done physical therapy this entire time AND just completed the 3rd week of a PT intensive 29 week long Police Academy. I am lifting weights (crossfit), daily (sometimes hourly) pushups....the muscles are slowly increasing strength but ever so slowly. With pushups, that shoulder weakens after 2-3 and the elbow rotates out as the shoulder gives out. My Benchpress is only slightly better....but still I am FAR from my one rep XXXXXXX of 110. I can do 5 reps of the bar only (45lbs). Could nerve compression be the sole source of all the weakness or should I be concern about rotator cuff damage? Is there such a thing as "overworking" this shoulder?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nerve compression can cause weakness.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
A nerve compression can cause a muscle weakness even after the extensive exercise. Rotator cuff damage also needs to be ruled out as lack of proper rest will not allow the rotator cuff tear to heal properly. It can significantly affect the muscle power.
Both these can be ruled out after an MRI scan.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar