Why can I not raise my arm?

One of the most common causes of pain in your shoulder or arm that makes it difficult to move or lift are rotator cuff injuries. The group of tendons and muscles in your rotator cuff help provide stability and allow your shoulder to rotate.
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What does it mean when it hurts to raise your arm?

If the rotator cuff is involved, the pain is usually in the front or outside of the shoulder. This pain is usually worse when you raise your arm or lift something above your head. The pain can be bad enough to keep you from doing even the simplest tasks. Pain at night is common, and it may be bad enough to wake you.
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What does it mean when you can't lift your arm past your shoulder?

Shoulder impingement is a very common cause of shoulder pain, where a tendon (band of tissue) inside your shoulder rubs or catches on nearby tissue and bone as you lift your arm. It affects the rotator cuff tendon, which is the rubbery tissue that connects the muscles around your shoulder joint to the top of your arm.
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How do I know if I have damaged my rotator cuff?

Signs of a rotator cuff tear include: Difficulty and pain caused by raising your arm. Popping or clicking sounds or sensations when moving your arm. Shoulder pain that worsens at night or when resting your arm.
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Will rotator cuff heal on its own?

In most cases, a rotator cuff tear will not heal on its own. If your pain and other symptoms persist despite conservative treatment such as steroid injections and physical therapy, it's time to speak with a shoulder specialist. Surgical repair is often necessary to restore shoulder function and relieve pain.
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I can't lift my arm. What should I do?



Can not lift arm above shoulder?

One of the most common causes of pain in your shoulder or arm that makes it difficult to move or lift are rotator cuff injuries. The group of tendons and muscles in your rotator cuff help provide stability and allow your shoulder to rotate.
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Can't raise my arm behind my back?

The typical symptoms of impingement syndrome include difficulty reaching up behind the back, pain with overhead use of the arm and weakness of shoulder muscles. If tendons are injured for a long period of time, the tendon can actually tear in two, resulting in a rotator cuff tear.
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How long does a shoulder impingement take to heal?

Most cases will heal in three to six months, but more severe cases can take up to a year to heal.
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How long do rotator cuff injuries take to heal?

Rotator cuff treatment

The minimum time for recovery from rotator cuff tendonitis or a small tear is generally two to four weeks, and stubborn cases can take several months. Early on, the aim is to reduce swelling and inflammation of the tendons and relieve compression in the subacromial space.
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How do I know if my arm pain is serious?

Seek emergency treatment if you have:
  1. Arm, shoulder or back pain that comes on suddenly, is unusually severe, or is accompanied by pressure, fullness or squeezing in your chest (this may signal a heart attack)
  2. An obvious deformity or protruding bone in your arm or wrist, especially if you have bleeding or other injuries.
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How long does it take for a torn rotator cuff to heal without surgery?

Usually, mild rotator cuff tears or sprains will heal within four weeks. In other severe cases, the recovery might take 4 to 6 months or even longer based on several factors such as the severity of the tear, age, and other health complications.
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What does a torn shoulder ligament feel like?

Pain and swelling in the shoulder. Pain that increases with arm movement. Pain while shrugging the shoulder. Shoulder deformity.
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What does a partially torn rotator cuff feel like?

Typically, you will feel pain in the front of your shoulder that radiates down the side of your arm. It may be present with overhead activities such as lifting or reaching (e.g., serving in tennis, painting a ceiling). You may feel pain when you try to sleep on the affected side.
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What happens if a torn rotator cuff goes untreated?

If left untreated, a rotator cuff tear can severely restrict function and range of motion. The tears can also increase over time. This may cause partial rotator cuff tears to progress to total tears.
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How can you tell the difference between rotator cuff and tendonitis?

For starters, both have similar symptoms like pain, swelling, and stiffness. With a tear, the arm can barely move overhead. Tendinopathy tends to happen over months, even years, of overuse. Tears, however, are sharp pains that generally occur after a sports collision or accident.
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How do I treat a self impingement in my shoulder?

To do this simple stretch:
  1. Stand straight and lift the affected arm straight out in front of the body, below shoulder height.
  2. Using the opposite arm, gently pull the affected arm across the body.
  3. Hold the arm here for 5–10 seconds, then relax back to the starting position.
  4. Repeat 5 times.
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How do you get rid of shoulder impingement fast?

Here are some exercises for shoulder impingement syndrome that may help relieve your symptoms:
  1. Scapula Squeeze. ...
  2. Scapula Push and Pull. ...
  3. Chest Stretch. ...
  4. Front Shoulder Stretch. ...
  5. Back Shoulder Stretch. ...
  6. Lying External Rotation. ...
  7. Internal Rotation with Resistance Band.
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How serious is shoulder impingement?

If left untreated, a shoulder impingement can lead to more serious conditions, such as a rotator cuff tear. Physical therapists help decrease pain and improve shoulder motion and strength in people with shoulder impingement syndrome.
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Does rotator cuff pain come go?

Rotator cuff tendon tears often cause pain at night. The pain may even wake you. During the day, the pain is more tolerable, and usually only hurts with certain movements, such as overhead or reaching toward the back. Over time, the symptoms become much worse, and are not relieved by medicines, rest, or exercise.
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What does it mean when you lift your arm and your shoulder hurts?

A common known cause of shoulder pain is a rotator cuff injury. Tendonitis in the rotator cuff can occur with injury and sometimes without. There is also a condition called rotator cuff bursitis, where the bursa, the lining that provides cushioning between the bones and tendons, becomes inflamed.
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How do you heal a torn rotator cuff naturally?

Supplements have different functions, and some may help your rotator cuff injury, including:
  1. St. John's wort and arnica can help cure musculoskeletal trauma.
  2. Bromelain—an enzyme found primarily in the stem of a pineapple—is a natural remedy to help reduce inflammation.
  3. Vitamins C and E can help reduce pain.
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What does shoulder bursitis feel like?

You may experience a dull ache, sharp pain or mild tenderness. Other signs of shoulder bursitis include: Shoulder stiffness or a feeling of swelling. Painful range of motion.
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How do I know if I tore a ligament in my shoulder?

Common symptoms of a shoulder ligament tear are:
  1. Shoulder pain and swelling.
  2. Increased pain with arm movement or shrugging your shoulder.
  3. Distortion in the normal contour of the shoulder.
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How can you tell the difference between a frozen shoulder and a torn rotator cuff?

With a rotator cuff injury, your arm's range of motion may be limited, but you can lift it manually. In contrast, a frozen shoulder is characterized by a dull or aching pain and a limited range of motion makes it difficult to lift the arm past a certain point.
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Where is the pain located with a torn rotator cuff?

Rotator cuff injuries often result in a dull ache that can be felt deep in the shoulder. It can occur due to specific movements, such as lifting or lowering the arm. Some people experience discomfort during rest as well. Sleeping is often disturbed by pain, especially when lying on the affected shoulder.
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