Shoulder pain, please help me.

[nh_user_1316259]

Hi all,

Thank you for any advice or help you can give me, i’m sorry it’s a long one but I need to tell the full story.

I’m 27 years old, from the age of 18 iv’e been working out, mostly light bodybuilding into my 20s. Ever since I can really recall iv’e always had a little click and a slight twinge on my right shoulder in certain positions. It was very rare that it happened so never really bothered me.

Around 2-3 years ago I started to develop some pain when doing bench press and shoulder work, this could usually be alleviated by performing some stretches etc, however the problem got worse. It started to hurt when I did back or pulling exercises and bench press/shoulder work became unbearable. I continued on thinking perhaps I just injured myself so i restricted my workout to just arm curls and press ups etc.

The problem did not go away and it got to the point where I couldn’t do any exercises on my right arm, no weight whatsoever. Even holding a shopping bag brought on a dull pain. It’s hard to describe the location but id say it radiated from the inside of my shoulder near the top.

When i place my fingers on my shoulder and push up I can feel clicking and cracking like rubbing 2 grisly bones together.

After a year or so of hoping it would get better I started seeing a chiropractor around 6 months ago, iv’e had many sessions and initially he told me i tore my AC ligament in my shoulder, seemed quite plausible at the time and i continued on with treatment. He advised I shouldn’t do any gym work so i haven’t done anything for over 6 months.

The problem is that nothing has changed. I don’t really get much pain in the day time unless i use the shoulder or arm (I used to get pain all the time) however I feel like this is only because i’m not aggravating the injury.

I’m at a total loss and i’m so depressed now, I used to be in such good shape and now even running hurts my shoulder as my arms move during my run, i’m so sick of it and i’m at the end of the line. Every day I look at myself and see my body deteriorating, my shoulder is so weak and i’m in my 20s I hate it so much.

When i used to walk to and from the gym I always had my bag on my right shoulder, my right shoulder sits a little lower and forward compared to my left and the shoulder blade doesn’t stick out on my right as much as my left.

I’m convinced that the chiro must be wrong and I need surgery, I don’t know what to do. Should I visit a doctor and demand surgery and tell him of my story? Or should I just keep hoping something will change.

Thank you for any response I receive.

[nh_user_1296357]

I am so sorry to hear you are in so much pain. Have you seen an orthopedic doctor yet or had an MRI? If not, I suggest getting an orthopedic doctor and asking for an MRI. You have to advocate for yourself and push to get it done.
I had been to three orthopedic doctors till I found someone who didnt brush off my complaints as nothing much.
Have it looked at so you can figure out what is wrong and get it feeling better. I like chiropractors but unless he ordered an MRI he has no idea what is going on with your shoulder.

[nh_user_1245897]

I agree with Nancy…SEE A DOCTOR, get a referral to a specialist - an ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON. And then, let me tell you, UNTIL you get an MRI or exploratory surgery, it’s really a shot in the dark by anyone regardless of credentials, experience, etc., as to what the cause of your problem is.

Personally, I think it’s almost criminal for any physical therapist or chiropractor to start working on you till they know exactly what’s going on in your shoulder. Like I said, they don’t definitively know! Sure there are tons and tons of tests they can run on you - Empty Can, Neer’s, Hawkins Kennedy, Drop Arm, AC joint Compression test, Sulcus, etc. But those are what I’d call educated shots in the dark.

I remember after an accident in which I couldn’t even raise my left arm I went to emergency, the ER doc had me do a few tests placing my arm in various positions, and quipped: “Very mild shoulder sprain.” Turns out it was a major rotator cuff tear, labrum tear, alot of other stuff. But that was discovered only AFTER an MRI. And my condition required surgery. When they did operate they were able to see even more things that the MRI missed - some good some bad.

MRI’s are expensive, but from what you’ve described - and don’t be shy about telling your doc and specialist this either - you’ve loss normal function. Not being able to use your arm is NOT normal. And I think they should send you for an MRI right away.

You know inside of you that something’s seriously wrong…act on that now and request a specialist.

Keep us informed what happens.

[nh_user_1089310]

This all sounds so familiar to me. Like you, having had unbearable shoulder pain for some time, I went to the chiropractor hoping for a quick fix. They treated me for what they thought was a problem emanating from my neck. after several months of treatment and me continually saying I thought it was a shoulder problem, they finally agreed to an MRI. the result showed a full thickness tear of the supraspinatus, bone spur and bursitis. My GP then referred me for surgery and after surgery and a lengthy recovery period with physio and hydrotherapy, I have my life back. I have great faith in chiropractors but in this instance I would insist on an MRI. good luck and keep us posted.

[nh_user_1316259]

Thank you all for your responses, it seems many others have experienced the frustration I have. I live in the UK so in terms of cost I can get an mri etc free of charge through the NHS so I’ll be booking an appointment with my doctor immediately, ill keep you posted as to how things progress, I just hope it’s not a long wait.