Question:

(Is there a better group to post this in?  sci.med.orthopedics prohibits asking for advice — they rejected this posting — though I notice they let *doctors* ask for advice on their own injuries… :-) I’m experiencing some discomfort & slight pain in my shoulders.  The location is at the very frontmost "point," inward toward the joint. (Is this the rotator cuff?  I’m no physiology expert, and I don’t have an anatomy reference handy.) I’m pretty loose-jointed (e.g. I can easily bend my thumb down to my wrist, etc.), and have always had loose joints in my shoulders too. (I can touch my elbows together behind my back.)  I’m a little worried that my loose-jointedness is deteriorating into something worse. Examples of situations that cause discomfort:   – Sitting at my computer desk at home, the keyboard surface is too low     to get my legs under comfortably, especially if I cross them.  I tend     to sit with my legs at an angle, crossed, with my body twisted back     to the keyboard.  This results in the opposite-site arm reaching     slightly behind the centerline.  Recently I’ve noticed that this can     often cause a "pop/crack" sound & feeling in my shoulder, which is     somewhat uncomfortable.  This was the first that I noticed a problem     in my shoulders.   – Lying on my back (or on my stomach) on the floor, propped up on my elbows.     Moving from this position causes the same pop/crack.  Lifting myself     to roll over in bed does the same thing.   – Lying on my back in bed, if I reach to pick something off my bedside     stand (reaching with my left hand to reach something that is to the     left of my head).  Causes the same backwards stress in the shoulder     and same pop/crack discomfort.   – Lately even just bending and reaching for things can cause the cracking.     It seems to be getting worse, and fairly rapidly.  It’s only been a     month or two since I noticed the problem at the computer desk. I’ve changed my keyboard habits, but it’s hard to avoid using my arms to lever myself around when I’m lying down, etc.  I’m pushing 40.  I hope this isn’t just deterioration from my advancing years — I got a lot of years left to advance yet!! Before going to a doctor, and getting this forever entered into my medical record, I thought I’d check for suggestions on the net. Any ideas?  Are there exercises that could help strengthen the muscles around the joint to help support it, etc.?  Am I looking at surgery to "fix" something?  Or is it not fixable, and just something I have to live with? Thanks! Gary (Email responses preferred, thanks!)

Response:

Thanks to all for the great suggestions!  I realized there is one other thing that is probably a major factor in this:  our squirmy 20-pound 6-month-old boy!  The added stress & strain from carrying him has probably put my shoulders in a tizzy.  (I *know* my wrists are going nuts!) Gray

Response:

I have a shoulder pain for almost a month. Does anybody know what causes it and how to treat it? Thanks.

Hi Sam, Shoulder pain can be from a number of causes.  The best thing to do would be to go to a doctor, and let him diagnose and treat it. Sandy F.

Response:

Sam, Most of us are not doctors, so can not diagnose.  But I doubt even our doctors will attempt it with that little information.   Go see your GP and if it is an arthritic condition see an RD.                           Char – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a shoulder pain for almost a month. Does anybody know what causes it and how to treat it? Thanks. Sam Kwong

Response:

Sam, Most of us are not doctors, so can not diagnose.  But I doubt even our doctors will attempt it with that little information.   Go see your GP and if it is an arthritic condition see an RD.                           Char

Char’s got that right, Sam… but on the off chance you might not know the abbreviation, an RD is a rheumatologist.  GP is general practicitioner, or your family doctor. Good luck! LadyAndy2

Response:

I have a shoulder pain for almost a month. Does anybody know what causes it and how to treat it? Thanks. Sam Kwong

Response:

I have a shoulder pain for almost a month. Does anybody know what causes it and how to treat it? Thanks.

Hi Sam, Shoulder pain can be from a number of causes.  The best thing to do would be to go to a doctor, and let him diagnose and treat it. Sandy F.

Response:

Sam, Most of us are not doctors, so can not diagnose.  But I doubt even our doctors will attempt it with that little information.   Go see your GP and if it is an arthritic condition see an RD.                           Char – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a shoulder pain for almost a month. Does anybody know what causes it and how to treat it? Thanks. Sam Kwong

Response:

Sam, Most of us are not doctors, so can not diagnose.  But I doubt even our doctors will attempt it with that little information.   Go see your GP and if it is an arthritic condition see an RD.                           Char

Char’s got that right, Sam… but on the off chance you might not know the abbreviation, an RD is a rheumatologist.  GP is general practicitioner, or your family doctor. Good luck! LadyAndy2

Response:

I have a shoulder pain for almost a month. Does anybody know what causes it and how to treat it? Thanks. Sam Kwong

Response:

I have a shoulder pain for almost a month. Does anybody know what causes it and how to treat it? Thanks.

Hi Sam, Shoulder pain can be from a number of causes.  The best thing to do would be to go to a doctor, and let him diagnose and treat it. Sandy F.

Response:

Sam, Most of us are not doctors, so can not diagnose.  But I doubt even our doctors will attempt it with that little information.   Go see your GP and if it is an arthritic condition see an RD.                           Char – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a shoulder pain for almost a month. Does anybody know what causes it and how to treat it? Thanks. Sam Kwong

Response:

Sam, Most of us are not doctors, so can not diagnose.  But I doubt even our doctors will attempt it with that little information.   Go see your GP and if it is an arthritic condition see an RD.                           Char

Char’s got that right, Sam… but on the off chance you might not know the abbreviation, an RD is a rheumatologist.  GP is general practicitioner, or your family doctor. Good luck! LadyAndy2

Response:

I have a shoulder pain for almost a month. Does anybody know what causes it and how to treat it? Thanks. Sam Kwong

Response:

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