Shoulder bursitis n tendons inflamation

Sorry you've got the shoulder bursitis/pain @Siewli. The pain can be excruciating if you over stretch it when reaching for something .... l almost dropped to the floor in agony once, it was so bad ... with tears in the eyes ....

I did have a cortisone injection but it didn't really 'do much' for me (technically it was supposed to help for up to 6 months relief, but for me, it only lasted a couple of weeks) ....

Chances are it could also have a tinge of frozen shoulder & impingement/tear of the rotator cuff tear as well, possibly bicep damage aw well - you really need to be seen by a Shoulder specialist orthopaedic surgeon.  They often only see the 'other stuff' when they go in with the arthroscope & take pics of the damage, as well as snip off the bad bits ..... 

The sooner you get it checked out properly - the better, as your description indicates it is already fairly severe.    Mine was nothing to do with radiation ... women tend to get it more often than men (probably all the heavy shopping bags & carrying kids around every day wouldn't help ....)


Sadly, the longer you put off getting it checked out by a pro - the worse it is likely to get.  This is because, as it hurts, you tend not to use it so much & the movement restriction and pain just gets worse & worse and the pain increases.  

My GP originally fluffed around for well over a year, giving me acupuncture, massage & US (as a treatment method, not diagnostic tool) and then Physio - none of which helped - it just got worse & worse.  I eventually had difficulty feeding myself & washing my hair ... and absolutely couldn't reach behind my back at all.   I saw a specialist shoulder guy & should have done it 8 months+ earlier.

My left one was frozen solid in 2001 .... but without the rotator cuff damage ... Manipulation under a block anaesthetic 'fixed it' back then with nearly 8-10 months to get back to full range of movement  .... but it has returned just now (burning, clicking, aching) & I had an xray last week & have an US next week to see what the damage is ...... and then will look for a surgeon - Sadly, I think my guy (who did both my shoulders) has retired now :( 

My right one, about 10 years ago, was a mix of frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tear & bicep tear as well - and I had keyhole surgery to fix that one & it is going good now after 8-10 months recovery. 

Ask your GP for a referral to a specialist - google who is available in your area (there are 'Dr Trip Advisor' sites that you can read up on their abilities & success rates ...) tho word of mouth is often the best guide.

The shoulder is the most complex set of bones, muscles & tendons in the whole body & one bit is 'damaged' - it can stuff up the entire shoulder. 

With my first one, when I held my arms out at shoulder height, my scapula actually came 'out' with it, like a wing ..... that's when I knew it was REALLY BAD & sought the surgeon out - and wished I'd done it 6 months+ earlier! :( 

Take care & all the best xx. Let me know how you get on.   

Thanks. Will ask GP for referral

Wow @arpie your situation sounded terrible but also extreme.

@Siewli since you have been to your dr why not follow that advice. I assume your dr got an xray or scan for your diagnosis. I think we need to be careful jumping to see a surgeon at an initial stage, especially when you have already seen a dr about this.

I had bursitis in my shoulder along with inflammatory in my rotator cuff. My dr recommended physio and I am so glad I went for treatment. It worked. No surgery needed. Cortisone can be hit and miss. My husband had it and it worked a treat.

 I think take things one step at a time. Try physio and if no success then escalate to the next step. Seeing a surgeon at this stage is a big step to take without following the other steps first. Go see a good physio and even ask your gp for a treatment plan for physio so it's cheaper if you don't have private cover. 

Take care

@Cath62 Thanks. The ultrasound shows no tear but tendons and bursa inflamed. According to my ultrasound report suggest instillation of cortisone into subracromial bursa. I cannot sleep very well as it get sore while I'm sleeping after some time usually around 4am I need to get up to move around abit. It's been a month now..doesn't seem to have any improvement. Will see GP for suggestion.

Bursitis can take a few months to heal and can do so on its own. Physio is a start and if that doesn't work a cortisone injection under an ultrasound can certainly help if it hits the right spot. Good to see your gp about it. I am an ex nurse and careful here about giving advice. It's always best to talk to your registered health professional. Best wishes

Absolutely, well said, @Cath62  - definitely go thru the medical procedures first @Siewli and I hope the cortisone helps, but I sure won't be letting mine drag on for the amount of time that it did that first time!   

Do you think you might have actually damaged it in any way?  I know that excessive paddling in bad weather in my kayak when in NZ damaged my right shoulder .... and I had the xray & US on that too within months of it happening & getting worse .... before taking it further.

all the best

@Siewli I’ve been suffering the sore shoulder with restricted movement. I see physio for my sciatica and mentioned to him.  Nothing showed up in my  last ct other than heaps of arthritic areas all over the body old age apparently. I came away with more exercises to do daily, when i went back it was slightly improved movement wise but one particular painful area persists he has given me yet more exercises to add to the list. Which are lessening the pain. One of them is to do with my neck as he has the thought that its a combination of problems. 

@arpie Thanks. I'm thinking about asking GP to rescan my shoulder too.
@cranky_granny Thanks. It is so frustrating that we have to do so much to counteract the side effects. It's like never ending story.
@Cath62 Thanks. Will definitely check with GP for suggestions.

A friend has sent me a link to this lady's shoulder exercises ..... check it out ...
https://www.facebook.com/reel/558901322737680

I fear that my own is a tad further along - so not likely to be able to do the FULL rotation as shown .... check out her other Vids too for core, pelvic floor & other stuff - they look interesting (just click on her name at the top of the video & it should pull up all her other short vids.)

For the other exercises - click here:
https://www.facebook.com/holyshiftalignment/

@arpie Thanks! Definitely will look into it.