What have I done to my shoulder/arm

a year ago I hurt myself simply taking off a coat. I experienced a severe pain in my right shoulder/arm which lasted a few minutes. I then found I couldn't move my arm behind my back (ie in the motion you use to clasp your hands together behind your back. I still cannot do this, nor can I move my arm backwards to take off my coat without experiencing a sharp pain throughout my shoulder and arm. Also I have the same pain if I suddenly move my arm out to the side (eg to reach for someone falling on my right hand side). I experience no pain in moving my arm forward or upwards from the front. There is some pain if I move it straight out, and I experience an intense shock of pain in my shoulder and down my arm if I, say, bang on a door with an outstretched palm. The symptoms have not changed in a year, I don't notice any pain while walking or carrying a backpack or shoulder bag.

What could possibly have happened?

hi jaycee,

at the outset let me state that it will be unethical on my part to "mention" without a proper physical examination. hence kindly visit your nearest physio for a thorough assessment and treatment, earlier the better.

well, as this is an open forum, I wish to inform you that on the basis of your post, it looks like you have injured your rotator cuff muscles. to be more concrete as I just mentioned, one has to thoroughly assess your shoulder.

some of the shoulder conditions are age specific hence knowledge of your age is also important. examination of your neck is also mandatory as you may have referred symptomatology.

however, your clinical presentation adheres to rotator cuff injury. rotator cuff is a collection of 4 very important tendons (subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus & teres minor muscles), hence please book an appointment.

keep us posted.

cheers,

thomas

hi

I do agree with thomas but its still important to assess a neck.

take care

Thanks Thomas and Yarok,

My doctor also believes it is a rotator cuff injury and is setting up a scan for me, after which physiotherpay is likely to follow. Your comments are much appreciated.

Jaycee