Shoulder Pain: Limited Mobility and Lifting Difficulty
Shoulder Pain I am a 24-year-old woman, standing at 5'9" and weighing 215 lbs, with a relatively inactive lifestyle. A few weeks back, I was joking around with a friend who playfully grabbed my shoulders and shook me. Shortly thereafter, I began to experience discomfort in my shoulder. It's now been two weeks, and the pain remains quite severe. While I can still move my arm and shoulder, any awkward movement causes a sharp pain, especially when lifting something heavy. I’m uncertain whether I should expect improvement in the coming weeks or if it would be wise to consult my physician. I’m unsure if my condition is just a bruise or potentially something more serious.
Answers (1)
3/26/2025, 4:01:04 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing significant shoulder discomfort following an incident with your friend, and it's understandable to be concerned about the severity and potential long-term effects. Let’s address your situation clearly.
Main Points:
- Ongoing Pain and Limited Mobility: Persistent shoulder pain after an injury can indicate a strain or sprain, but it may also suggest more serious issues like a tear in the shoulder muscles or ligaments.
- Monitoring Symptoms: Observing changes in your pain or mobility over time is critical.
Explanation:
After a playful incident like the one you described, it’s common to experience shoulder pain due to muscle strain or spraining ligaments. The fact that your pain has lasted two weeks without improvement suggests that this might be more than a simple bruise. The sharp pain during specific movements indicates that your shoulder’s function may be affected, which can sometimes involve the rotator cuff or other structures in the shoulder.
Next Steps:
- Rest and Avoid Aggravating Activities: Try to avoid lifting heavy objects or activities that worsen the pain. Give your shoulder time to heal.
- Apply Ice: Use a cold pack on your shoulder for 15-20 minutes several times a day to help reduce pain and swelling.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Consider taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen to help with pain and inflammation, following the dosage instructions on the package.
- Gentle Stretches: Once the acute pain decreases, gentle shoulder stretches may help improve mobility. Avoid any movements that cause sharp pain.
- Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of how your pain changes, particularly if it worsens or you notice new symptoms like swelling, weakness, or inability to lift your arm.
If pain persists beyond a couple of weeks, or if you start to notice any red flags such as severe swelling, a noticeable bruise that grows larger, or increasing weakness in your arm, it would be wise to seek medical attention for a thorough evaluation.
Let me know if you need additional details on any of these steps!
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