What can cause severe pain in the shoulder and stiffness in the arms?
Patient: Husband has had 3incidents of severe pain in right shoulder. Down his arm and left hand also stiff. He has gone to clinic been given steroid and pain meds. He also has again and signs of neuropathy in feet. Has been told shoulder pain could be rotator cuff or punched nerve. Possible? What could this be? Doctor: Hi,  Acute pain in shoulder without trauma can be due to calcific tendinitis of rotator cuff tendons. If there is trauma pain can be due to cuff tear. Diagnosis needs to be confirmed by clinical examination.  1. X-ray of involved shoulder anteroposterior and axillary views. 2. MRI of the shoulder.   X-ray helps in identifying calcific tendinitis. MRI is sensitive and specific for diagnosis of soft tissue pathology. Please get it done from radiology center nearby you. Treatment depends on cause.   For pain relief you can take tablet Ultracet twice a day. Visit to orthopedic surgeon for detailed clinical Examination is recommended.   Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Jayesh Vaza, Orthopaedic Surgeon