What Causes Severe Pain While Raising The Left Arm?

Posted on Wed, 19 Jul 2017

Question: unable to raise my left arm without severe pain or unassisted. most likely injured the shoulder doing pull-ups and push ups in late April. Took two months off from exercising and it was getting better then took a fall off a bike directly onto the shoulder.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Rotator cuff tear

Detailed Answer:
Hi there

Thanks for the query

This could be a shoulder make Rotator cuff tear.

Avoid lifting weights and performing overhead activities.

Do get an MRI and Xray of the affected shoulder to look for the tear.

Depending on the tear we can decide the treatment for you.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr.Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (44 hours later)

x-rays revealed a severe calcific tendonitis and small joint effusion.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Could be associated with a Rotator cuff degenerative tear

Detailed Answer:
Calcific tendinitis tends to occur in the setting of degenerative changes of the Rotator cuff. Joint effusion could suggest arthritis of the shoulder joint.

Do get an MRI to confirm if there is any tear.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (46 hours later)

MRI revealed:
1. small tear in rotor cuff muscle;
2. tear in labraum;
3. severe bursitis;
4. severe calcific tendonitis; and
5.arthritis where ball and joint are touching, the cartridge is gone.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Reverse shoulder replacement surgery

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for uploading the report.

Since this is a setting of torn Rotator cuff and arthritic shoulder, he may need to be treated with Reverse shoulder replacement surgery.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D