I have been dealing with some shoulder pain and limited range of motion issues for months now (at least 6 months). It started with some typical PsA inflammation in my shoulders, which I’ve had before and it resolved without lingering issues. However, this time while it was inflamed I definitely subluxed/partially dislocated my shoulder a couple times taking my bra off - I know because it made a loud pop and it felt like someone had tried to yank my arm out of socket - and now I have this lingering pain when I extend my arm, reach behind me, and I can’t raise my arm above my head to the same degree as the other (I am historically a bit bendier than average and probably also have a history of over-extension but hey one thing at a time). It’s also difficult to sleep on that side (it makes a weird snapping noise if I do it wrong and it just hurts also).
Anyway, not sure if it’s still just bursitis/tendonitis from PsA or if I actually tore it those few times it subluxed - got an x-ray yesterday which showed nothing (typical) and Rheum asked if I wanted an MRI and I said no - mostly because I had/have* a migraine and I couldn’t deal with any more things at that moment and I figure it’ll show nothing is wrong and cost a pretty penny but now I’m wondering if I should have maybe taken her up on it (and I probably can still message her that I’ve changed my mind) or maybe wait another three months and if it’s still being a jerk get one then? (or the nasty joint injection that won’t help but w/e). Curious if anyone else has any experience? I’m a little medically burnt out and honestly don’t want to do any of it so I don’t really trust my own motivations, lol.
Note the current pain isn’t the “stiff with lack of movement” or “hot and swollen” type of inflammation I’m used to with the PsA - it’s pretty consistent and only occurs when reaching (stretching my arm out, behind, or over) or when I try to lift my arm past the point it decided it didn’t want to any more.
*I came down with what appears to be a permanent active migraine episode starting in August of last year - thus the being medically burnt out bc my brain hurts all the time now and I have a horrible neurologist that even my Rheum doesn’t like.
Sounds like it could be your rotator cuff. Before an MRI do you want to do some physical therapy?
Pain sleeping on that side is pretty classic for rotator cuff problems, plus reaching overhead. Could be AC joint also, but either way, physical therapy can only help with joint protection
that’s not a bad idea. I might look some up. I’d go in but my last PT was such shit and I paid over $500 to come in 2x a week and do the same exercises I was doing every day at home I’m still salty apparently
Definitely sounds like you need a new one next time. I’ve done once a week with a home exercise program and that frequently works. Post surgery I keep on their schedule usually
Your shoulder pain and limited ROM sounds identical to my experience. Difficulty moving my right arm precisely as you described. Mine turned out to be 4 torn rotator cuffs apparently wear and tear as I don’t recall doing anything to provoke this. My rheumatologist tried cortisone shots without much relief. She said that PT would not really help, so didn’t recommend it in my case.
My GP organized imaging and referred me to an ortho surgeon on speck that these tears may eventually affect the shoulder joint. It takes forever on waiting list here to see any ortho surgeon. She was right. Seven months later, by the time I saw the surgeon, I could barely move my arm in any direction without pain. Scans showed little cartilage left in the shoulder joint and damage to the head of the forearm bone. Back on surgical wait list for a complete reverse shoulder replacement as my 4 rotator cuff tears would not support a traditional replacement joint. By the time I had the surgery 14 months later - yes, 14 months - I couldn’t move my right arm at all from my side without pain in any direction. The surgeon said they found I had no ROM in that shoulder joint during the surgery. I did tell them I couldn’t move my arm in weeks leading to surgery.
I won’t regale anyone with surgeon’s report of the somewhat problematic surgery and suboptimal aftermath for me. Unless there’s a topic on Surgical Disasters We Have Known, I’ll stifle. No one need be put off surgery and the majority of them go extremely well with good results. Most of mine have. The good news is, in the end, I have no shoulder pain now and normal ROM.
I don’t get migraines, sorry you do, but I do have trigeminal neuropathy on the right side of my face which was certainly irritable at times during the months before my right shoulder replacement. I have episodic trigeminal neuralgia on the left side of my face which was not provoked in the least for which I am grateful! So maybe a connection here with head/facial pain and shoulder/rotator cuff issues?? I don’t know. Nerves are connected everywhere.
Yikes! That sounds awful but Im glad you’re back to normal ROM now. I will definitely request the MRI if there’s no improvement by my next appointment in August just to make sure. It at least doesn’t seem to be getting worse at the moment so I’m hopeful working on strengthening and stretching might help.
I’m glad your shoulder isn’t getting worse. If strengthening and stretching does the trick, hallelujah! An MRI is always helpful just to get an insight into the problem - if there is one. How are the migraines? Those can be crippling, so I’ve heard. My sports med doctor said that the body is connected in the weirdest way, and nothing surprises her. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if shoulder pain, leads to neck pain setting off facial pain, headaches, jaw pain and anything else. It’s most reassuring when a doctor takes whatever symptoms you have and runs with it. Trust the patient, it’s called.
I don’t know how I ended up with this specialist. She travels as doctor with the Canadian Summer Olympics Team. She has all these framed signed posters on her wall. I’m afraid, at 75, my Olympic days are over as in they never started. I don’t even know how I ended up in a Sports Med clinic period. I guess I qualify in the rehab part of the clinic. That, I do qualify for in spades.
I’m still salty apparently 