Shoulder Tendinitis

[AI1694]

Since July of last year I’ve had had an ache in my right shoulder and along the trap. It came on gradually during gym and got to a point where I had to stop going.
Symptoms are as above and a loud click when I straighten my arm vertically. Worse in the morning as I sleep on that side. I still have pretty much a full range of motion though.
I went to a private physio back in January and she diagnosed it as ‘supraspinatus tendinitis’. Couple of sessions of electrotherapy and massage with some home exercise (shoulder rotation with resistance band) and it felt much better. Fast forward a few months and it’s flared up again out of nowhere. Haven’t been to the gym since last summer!
Just about got back into playing football after a long running hip issue and yesterday a 50/50 barge straight away aggravated the shoulder.
Anyway, what are my options here? I’d love a scan but I know there’s no chance of getting one through the NHS.

Edited by AI1694 on Saturday 23 March 20:58

[mcelliott]

I've had shoulder problems for the last 18 months, gradually getting worse, mainly through wear and tear and age. I was referred to have an ultrasound by my doctor - it showed that I had two small tears in the muscle. My mobility is actually quite good, in fact the dr was surprised by how good it was. Ironically it's not that painful when I'm at the gym - hurts most when I'm at rest, i.e. sleeping or sat down. As regards treatment, I don't really get on with anti-inflammatories so it's a case of ibuprofen when the pain gets too bad, and cbd oil which I find to be quite effective. If the pain was to worsen, I've been offered a steroid injection.

[AI1694]

I’m guessing the only solution is surgery? ^

I’m 26 so I guess I can exclude the age related wear and tear, but it’s frustrating how it’s not healing. I just hope I haven’t somehow induced damage which requires surgery..

Edited by AI1694 on Saturday 23 March 22:42

[gregs656]

You need to try and figure out ways to stop it flaring up - if sleeping on it irritates it then you really should make an effort to not sleep on it (for example).

You should start doing the exercises again too.

[Brainpox]

AI1694 said:

Anyway, what are my options here? I’d love a scan but I know there’s no chance of getting one through the NHS.

Edited by AI1694 on Saturday 23 March 20:58

You'll get a scan if you need one. A lot of issues can be diagnosed clinically, so if it's been going a while you'll probably want to be referred to a specialist, and go from there.

[AI1694]

Been trying to sleep on my other side, much harder than it seems trust me!

Been icing my shoulder these past few days and will try to do some mobility exercises and stretches followed by some strengthening.

My workplace offer a free (for a limited number of sessions) physio scheme, so I’ll give that a go. Failing that, I’ll go to my GP and tell them I’ve seen two physios and demand a referral to a specialist.

[mcelliott]

As has been alluded to, a scan may be your best path to go down. I live offshore so I'm not sure what the procedure is on the NHS or how difficult it is to get one. 26 is no age to get shoulder problems - I'm glad mine came in my mid-40s! Pain management is definitely going to be a long term thing, especially with shoulders. They never clear up quickly. Would agree with what's been mentioned as to exercise - identify the ones you can do and avoid the ones that aggravate it. Good luck.

[wibble cb]

Mine was misindentified a couple of times (not torn rotator cuff or chronic arthritis) but eventually they called it frozen shoulder:

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/frozen-shoulder-...

Maybe related? I had massive pain at night, getting next to no sleep, painkillers don't work on me either, it wasn't the best time I ever had, but now after 5 months of Physio, I can say its 80% better than it was, I get occasional pain and some residual stiffness, but its way better than it was.