Shoulder pain getting worse-X-rays normal

I have had shoulder pain on and off since a mva in 2012. X-rays are all normal so routinely the orders are to rest and take Advil as needed. In the last two weeks the pain in my right shoulder is getting worse with no relief. The pain is going into my collar bone, through to my shoulder blade, and in my arm pit.

My shoulder feels exhausted just from taking a shower and fixing my hair. It is painful to rotate my shoulder backward, reach my hand behind my back or even to reach into my pant pocket. It has begun to hurt at night (I'm a tummy sleeper so my arm is above my head) and is painful just hanging down by my side.

I had another set of complete X-rays done today, and again x-ray's are normal. I can not get into the ortho until the 2nd week in July. I am not wanting another cortisone shot (I've had 3 in my left shoulder, 1in my knee, 3 in my low back, 1in my hip) and that is what I am afraid is going to happen. They help for a very brief amount of time and sometimes even make it worse.

I don't feel like they take the pain seriously because of the normal diagnostic test. Is it just tendinitis or is there more? I would to like hear from anyone who may have experienced or are experiencing the same.

Judy2

Thanks for the reply. No, I have not had an MRI. I am hoping that is what we will do next. The injections were in my left shoulder and this injury is in my right so that is why I'm worried about the doctor just shrugging me off and just giving another shot.

Hello KeyWest & welcome to the forum. So sorry to read what you are having to put up from that shoulder.

Regular xrays just do not show much unless you had a fracture or a break so with them being normal that is pretty much expected. What I would suggest is to ask your PCP to order an MRI of your shoulder & even your neck. If there is something going on with either it should show up on an MRI as they are far more definitive than regular xrays. If he will agree to doing this it will really be helpful for the specialist in July.

Also, neck problems can cause shoulder & arm problems & the person not have any neck pain. This happened to my son, he was ready to cut his arm off because it was so painful. He was shocked when they got the results back of the MRI of his neck, he had a pinched nerve. So, knowing how this can all possibly happen, you really need MRI's on both areas. This will also help the specialist when you see him because he would order these very same tests.

Good luck & hang in there.

I have an appointment 6/26 with s shoulder specialist/sports medicine doctor. Thanks for all the feedback.

There are several places to give the shoulder shot, and they can be diagnostic. I had 3 in my left shoulder that didn't help, then my orthopod did another in the back of the shoulder in a spot he called "for arthritis." That one gave me relief.

Yes, you aren't supposed to have more than 3 injections in the same place in a year. But it's not completely contraindicated. If you're going to a really good orthopod he can decide if it's worth it.

I'm glad to have gotten the shot because I'm not in good enough shape to have another surgery right now. My ortho said he can go in and "clean out" the shoulder, MRI shows junk loose.

Keywest I would call them and let them know the pain and mobility has become worse and maybe they can do something for you sooner.

Sorry that you are struggling so. A lot of times those shots do make things worse for a few days and then the medication kicks in & the inflammation starts to improve. I had a shoulder injection before & do remember being miserable for a few days afterwards. If you have not tried it yet, make an ice pack & put that on your shoulder. I am thinking a heating pad could aggravate the inflammation & make it worse, this happens sometimes from using a heating pad. You can experiment & see which works the best for you. Good luck.

I really am sorry you are going through this. And I understand about injections giving little if any relief and if so, it's short lived. That tends to be how it has been with me personally. I certainly hope your pain level decreases soon. Try the ice pack if you haven't already done so. It is better for inflammation than heat. If you don't have one, look up the recipe online. You can make them very easily in a ziplock bag. And it turns out like a squishy gel instead of hard like some are. Hope the MRI will be done soon! Hang in there. I know it is very hard. But we all care and are here to help you with support.

Well, of all pain, you could try self acupuncture.
Using your fingers to press around your ears, when you find a sore spot, keep pressing it. Initially it hurts, but a few minutes later, you will find the pain reduces. Keep pressing it until the pain disappears. You could do it when needed. Sometimes, by pulling the ears also help to alleviate the pain. I have done it myself for arthritis, headache, and neck pain. It also works on stiffness. Give it a try, and you will get amazing results!

Yes, the right word is SELF ACU PRESSURE!
Thank you, Chotti.

Shoulder has continued to decline. The extreme pain from the shot has diminished but it now hurts just as bad if not worse than what I was originally seen for. Have an MRI scheduled for 7/10 at 2:00pm and see the doctor at 4:50pm. I'm hoping for some answers tomorrow. A little concerned that it is without contrast, but hopefully that won't matter and he will see whatever is going on. I am a practice manager in a family medicine office and the 2 DO's I work with think it is a labrum tear. At this point, I just want to know why it brings me to tears to pull up my pants. :(

So here are the highlights of the MRI today:

Degenerative osteoarthropathy of the shoulder
Supraspinatus tendinopathy
Osteophytic spurring and joint space narrowing at ac joint
Subchondral osteophytes at the medial humoral head
Impingement on the upper surface fibers of the musculotendious junction by acromion process spurring

The doctor wants to continue anti inflammatory meds and pt for at least another month before discussing surgery. He said he does not want to do another cortisone shot so soon due to my age. He said the surgery would be a "clean up" but obviously would not remove the arthritis. So I am still at the wait and see stage.