Pain in my arm for 3 weeks, can’t get it into a comfortable position to sleep, throbbing, burning. Dx today. Cortisone shot, and PT Rx. No info about ergonomics at work (me>graphic designer, on the computer all day). And can I make this a workman’s comp thing without hassle? Not trying to now, but if surgery comes to pass, would like to be on record. Have searched the interwebz, but not that much info. Prefer personal experience.
For impingement? My impingement is a congenital defect of bone structure. Workers comp isn’t going to cover that.
Your PT is going to give you some good exercises for it, so that will help. Make sure you are always using good posture at the computer and you aren’t rolling your shoulders forward while you work. That’s what caused mine. So far the limited stretching I do has helped matters, but I’m a dork and don’t do them as much as I should. Of course, I have a PT at home (my husband) so he got me doing exercises and stretches before it got bad.
Good luck with yours. If it’s bugging you this evening put some ice on it. You may be able to find some directions for stretches online that can give you a bit of relief until you can get to your PT.
Not all impingements are congenital. My ortho says my FAI [one hip is cam, one is mixed] is actually from athletic activity. Yay me, so much for exercise is healthy!
Did your ortho tell you what caused the impingement?
Is this a frozen shoulder type thing? I had that a couple of years ago, and I had very good results with physiotherapy and serious anti-inflammatory medicine (arthrotec).
Sorry, not clear, not a frozen shoulder, an impingement. The co. got new furniture for some of the offices, incl. mine, and while lovely, it’s an ergonomic nightmare for my type of work. Since I had no fall or other trauma to my arm/shoulder, I truly believe it was the new desk, which I am still trying to work into a correct arrangement, but the desk has no support for wrist or arm for my mouse (right) arm, and I think that caused the problem. Thank you Miss Woodhouse–I am hoping the PT helps. I had no problem paying for the doc and the Xrays and shot, I just worry that if I don’t make my concerns re: workmens comp known now, I will be out of luck should this end up a surgical issue, as it may, according to the doc.
I have the same thing but unfortunately physio exercises haven’t helped so far. I had a cortisone shot just before foot surgery in September so I could manage the crutches and wow it was amazing. Had to have another one about a week before I was finished with the crutches because I jammed it, and again it worked almost instantly. Months later, the impingement is still there and I’m debating whether to let it ride and hope it goes away or go back to the doctor.
Actually I know I’ll have to go back to the doctor but I’m procrastinating. The foot surgery was bad enough. sigh
So, does anyone have an update on this? I’m experiencing a lot of pain in my right shoulder. I really don’t want to do the surgery thing; but I’m running out of options. I can’t sleep on it at night; now I’m losing mobility. I can’t touch my hands behind my back anymore. It’s difficult to put on a belt when it comes times to pass the belt through the loops in the back.
Did you have MRI/CT to diagnose the problem? Could be neck spine impingement OR shoulder. Do you have any paresthesias? You would need EMG studies to know where its coming from.
I had an impingement a while ago. I got past it with dead hangs and broomstick drills. It was about two months before all the pain stopped.
Just a word of caution with the cortisone shots: be cautious and careful with your newfound relief; it’s only temporary. The pain-relieving effects of the injection can “fool” you into reverting into your old ways-of-life; many times going back to the very same behavior that got you injured in the first place (at least with me they did).
I have had off and on severe shoulder pain for many years, about 1 or 2 bouts a year. Neck and shoulder massages help mine. I think tight neck muscles throw the shoulder out. Doctor said surgery would be the only thing that would help but I am pain free 90% of the time or better now.
Oh, old thread. Yes, it’s gone and has not recurred. I did a whole regimen of physical therapy (roll the ball UP the wall), and most importantly, since it was determined it was a work caused problem (luckily), the workmens comp. person came in and mandated changes to my desk/computer set up.
Good luck!
I went to orthopedist a couple of times now. It’s definitely shoulder.
Have you been referred for PT? I had this a few years ago and it was stupid painful. I had many of the mobility/daily activity challenges you describe. Shampooing my hair was impossible without screaming pain.
I went to 12 sessions of PT. It took all 12 to improve. After 10 sessions I was like “this is bullshit” because there was no change. After 11, I noticed an improvement, and 12 was like a magic bullet. It was crazy. But I avoided surgery and have had no problems to speak of since.
Enright3, you mention that you went to the Ortho but don’t give his diagnosis. If there is structural damage (rotator cuff or, as in my case, torn labrum) surgery may be the only option. I am married to a PT, but exercise is useless if the damage is more than slight. It’s a painful and long recovery, like 3 months to regain minimal functional use and a year to return to 100%, but now it’s as good as new. YMMV.
I was diagnosed with a shoulder impingement earlier this year. I was having trouble handling simple tasks like changing shirts or reaching out of my car to shut the car door.
I got a cortisone shot in my shoulder and was given a pamphlet of exercises. I did the “spider walk” up the wall, twice a day while I brushed my teeth.
It has been 5 months and I have total recovery.
Moved from MPSIMS to IMHO, home of threads involving medical advice and anecdotes.
I have a shoulder impingement at the moment. 4 sessions of Physio didn’t really help (mostly ultrasound) so I am going to my GP for a Cortisone shot.
I am trying to be really good at the gym - no lifting, upper back exercises to engage the shoulder blades, rotator cuff exercises.
It is getting there. Just very slowly.
Si
I had something similar, although it doesn’t sound as bad as yours. It’s common from working on a PC all day.
Your PT can give you some exercises to strengthen your rotator cuff. Usually they involve those big rubber bands.
Posture helps a lot. You generally want to keep your shoulder blades pulled in as much as possible and hold your arms so your thumbs tend to point forward/upward. Also, avoid lifting your arm above shoulder level. That will help prevent the bone from pinching or “impinging” the tendons in your shoulder and further agrivating them.