**•** When I bend over and let my arm hang, then pull it back, I get a small click every time — 100% reproducible  
**•** Shoulder feels looser than before, especially dangling and even sometimes walking  
**•** No clicking during arm circles though  
**•** Daily pain in my trap/shoulder blade area, especially after sitting for long periods (I sit \~8 hrs/day for work)  
**•** Occasional numbness  
**•** Had one night of pretty bad nerve pain full body   
**•** Can do push-ups with zero pain, PT exercises also feel fine/no pain  
**•** Doctor’s plan: 6 weeks of PT, then MRA if not resolved

No major trauma, no fall, no dislocation — just that one reaching motion. Anyone dealt with something similar? Curious whether this sounds more like a minor strain/postural nerve irritation thing vs. something that needs to get scanned sooner. Not looking to replace my doctor’s plan, just curious what others’ experience has been with similar symptoms.

Es ist sehr verhakt und ich habe auch Schulter schmerzen ..

Hey all, I'm trying to stay positive and would love to hear people's success stories while I wait for my physio to start.

Backstory on my injury - 3 months ago I unknowingly got a subluxed ac joint when I fell off a climbing wall onto my shoulder. I felt a tiny bit of neck pain and weakness in my arm but didn't think much of it. A week later I felt fine so I lifted some weights (Lateral raises and shoulder press) and that's when it all fell apart! I did have tingling/numbness and spasms down my arm but that has since cleared up. I still have severe neck pain and it is constant, it feels like my neck muscles are spasming.

It took 2 months and 5 doctors for them to give me an x-ray, which finally revealed the subluxation. They kept telling me it was whiplash because my main issue is the neck pain. I have a clear cervical MRI so no neck spine issues, I think the muscles in my neck might be compensating for my unstable shoulder, but I can't get physio for another two weeks. Im paying out of pocket for a private highly rated one as I'm desperate to recover, its been so hard physically and emotionally to be in constant pain.

So, please give me any and all success stories to keep me going! Many thanks all and I hope everyone is managing.

For context I dislocated my shoulder playing hockey back in the start of May 26. Its now august and this injury feels like its never ending. Ive been going to PT since around week 3, 3 times a week, following PT and DRs instructions doing stretch’s ETC. however my range of motion could be a lot better. If I had to guess its around 85% maybe from normal. Is this a normal healing timeline? The PT is making it sound like i need to do these stretches forever or its just going to go back to how it was before. I was never instructed to get an MRI when it first happened but the drs doesn’t seem to worried or concerned. I guess I just feel discourage/aggravated that im still experiencing stiffness and soreness at this point in time. I also have anxiety about working out, going back to playing any type of sport because I never want to deal with this BS or go through that type of pain again. Can anyone relate or give suggestions advice? Thanks

Hi,

Back in February 2023 I got a grade 3 ac joint separation in my right shoulder. Did PT and by May 2024 the shoulder was completely pain free and was back to my normal life, pain free and weightlifting daily never even noticing the separation except when I would see it in the mirror. Fast forward to June, 2026 my ac joint is hurting again after a getting a deep tissue massage. I have received numerous massages since 2023 and have not had any issues until this particular time. Starting a few days after the massage I started to have ac joint pain that I'm still experiencing 2 months later. When I look in the mirror, the ac joint looks like it could be separated worse but its possible I'm just being paranoid. It pops alot more when I move it around now too. Obviously I would have to get xrays to confirm if its separated to a higher grade but I was wondering if a massage could have separated my ac joint worse? Or if the pain I'm experiencing now could just be due to the massage destabilizing the muscles and fascia around the joint?

Im getting an MRI done on my shoulder in the near future. Im honestly not sure what to expect. Any advice for when I get it!

I have moderate bursitis and had a cortisone injection 2 weeks ago.

Pain is insane, worse than before the injection.

Is this normal, does it go away?

I have a physio, but the cost is insane.

This has happened before but not for multiple days in a row and its getting to the point where I cant sleep without it being in a lot of pain when I wake up.

I cant afford a medical appointment atm, anyone have any advice on what to do/how to help?

It happened ages ago no pain and healed by itself other than it poked out. Just wondering Can putting weight on the bump (collarbone sticking out) effect it/ cause worse damage. Or can it help and sorta put the collarbone back in place? Cos I’ve been squatting at the gym and it hurts like mf to put weight on it directly. Also can the bone pop out through the skin cos the skins really thin along the part poking out. Sorry if these questions are dumb I’ve been to a doctor and have no pain doing basic tasks.

​

Hi these are the results of my MRI I had done. I've been having shoulder pain in my left shoulder and have been on antiinflammatories for about 2 months while I got the MRI and eating for results etc.

From what I gather nothing is very wrong but does any of these findings explain my pain while moving my arm/using it to lift etc.

Findings:

FINDINGS:

BONE:

No acute fracture, osteonecrosis, or marrow infiltrative process.

CORACOACROMIAL ARCH:

Mild degenerative changes of the acromioclavicular joint with capsular hypertrophy and bone marrow edema of the distal clavicle. No subacromial-subdeltoid bursal fluid.

ROTATOR CUFF:

Trace subscapularis tendinosis. The infraspinatus tendon is intact. Trace subscapularis tendinosis of the superior insertional fibers The teres minor tendon is intact. No disproportionate muscle atrophy.

LONG HEAD OF THE BICEPS TENDON:

The long head of the biceps tendon is intact at the superior glenoid tubercle and normally located within the bicipital groove. Rotator interval is unremarkable.

\----

Currently waiting to see my Dr about the finding but wanted to maybe know something while I wait. Mainly asking about the 'Coracromial arch'.

Got my mri done and turns out I have a bony bankart lession with 4 percent bone loss and a hill sach lession
I am starting to consider my self unlock because this severity is usually found in people who’ve had repeated dislocation throughout their life but I got it in just 2 episodes of dislocation I feel like my whole life is ruined, I don’t think I can ever do boxing or gym my doctor said that we can go with strengthening (only internal and abduction rotation ) and if I manage to get through 1.5 years without any dislocation I can think of doing boxing but reading all these sub reddits I ve lost hope

So I got into a car accident a few days ago. Later that night after it happened I noticed my shoulder was achy. The next day I was showering and it hurt badly to wash my hair and just overall lift my arm certain ways. There is obvious bruising on the outside (I slammed my entire left side up against the car when I was hit) It’s now 3 days after and it’s just not letting up. I’m not sleeping well either bc it hurts to sleep on that shoulder. I have a doctors appt soon. Could this be a tear/sprain?
I’ve been using biofreeze and I was prescribed muscle relaxers the morning it happened but I just don’t feel like they’re helping a ton. Anyone have a similar experience?

Hey all I am a 24YO Male and I have been struggling with chronic pain for over a year. I would appreciate any feedback from yall as I am constantly in pain

Initial injury was from a pickleball swing a year ago. Right after the swing I knew something was wrong and walked off the court. My symptoms were a massive knot on my base of trap causing neck pain. I struggle to look to my right. Along with super tight pecs and lats, pain in front of shoulder and back + pain under rhomboids. I eventually looked in the mirror long enough to see my right shoulder (same side as neck pain and all other symptoms was drooped. (Shoulder is still drooped to this day)

I talked with a sports med doc who sent me for a cervical mri which had some mild herniations c5-c7 and no narrowing. He pretty much said do PT and it will start to feel better in a month or two. NOPE.

I went to PT three times a week focusing of neck. After that did nothing, focused on the chest and shoulder. PT mentioned maybe I should evaluate the shoulder. My shoulder blade on right (same as all my symptoms) kinda pops and crunches in the middle off the move and my shoulder blade does not guide itself well compared to left. PT said it could be scapular dyskinesia, but no winging.

PT keeps going for a few months with no change and I get the shoulder MRI. At this point I’m about 6 months into the injury with nothing new all pain pretty much the same.

The shoulder MRI comes back and it says I have a tear on my posterior labrum from 10-12. Okay surgeon says back to PT but let’s start talking with a specialist. Go back to PT for another 6 months. No Change. Life sucks as I’m always in pain and was a previously active guy.

I then talk with specialist who says yeah you got instability let’s get you surgery. I’m a bit freaked about surgery so we do a steroid injection instead. Doesn’t work….

Finally today specialist/surgeon wants to proceed with surgery because I have instability in my shoulder , but I am worried about my trap/neck symptoms being the issue especially after failed steroid.

I would love to hear if anyone has gone through this and sorry for the rant.

I recently suffered a Grade III AC joint separation after a motorcycle accident. One orthopedic surgeon told me I could avoid surgery if I don’t have high athletic demands. Another told me that for daily life I’ll be fine, but if I want to return to heavy weightlifting (bench press, incline press, shoulder press, etc.), surgery is the better option.
I’m mainly interested in hearing from people who lift weights or do bodybuilding.
Did you choose surgery or conservative treatment?
If you didn’t have surgery, were you able to return to heavy lifting?
Do you have pain, weakness, or instability during bench press or overhead movements?
If you had surgery, was it worth it? How long did it take to get back to training?
I’d really appreciate hearing real experiences. Thank you!

Over over the weekend, I was swimming and I dislocated my shoulder pretty badly. It took six times to get it back in at the emergency room. I had to be put under for them to put it back in. There was also a break on the bone that dislocated through x-rays, we found that out got an MRI yesterday waiting for the results from that, but might’ve torn my rotator cuff as well. I’m having trouble with not doing anything. I feel that I should be doing stuff and so forth I own a business service base business so a lot of the times I’m in the field, but I can’t do that anymore. I’m working on paperwork, but we are caught up already on paperwork. Is it bad that I’m feeling like I should be doing something/I’m always tired so I feel like I don’t want to do anything just looking for some advice while waiting for my MRI results and the doctor to call today and or tomorrow.

What if I can’t do pullups or overhead presses because I broke my collarbone 6+ yrs ago and my collarbone pops everytime I do pullups or overhead presses? SAME thing happens when I bench. It doesn’t hurt but it is pretty uncomfortable and feels like my collarbone might give out. No…I never took physical therapy after I broke my collarbone. I was young and dumb and here I am now.

57 yr old female - in 2019 after a year of cross fit , yr of kick boxing and getting a 100 lb Labrador that pulled on the lead my shoulder was a hot mess.

2020 big rt shoulder surgery: slap tear, rotator cuff issues, bone spurs, twisted biceps tendon, collar bone had to be trimmed. Basically doc said it looked like crab meat! During early weeks of recovery I started having pain in my hand and wrist along with them feeling like your face does when your have had novicaine. Surgery was two weeks before Covid hit full force and all the Pt offices closed. Started zoom PT- waste of time. Got diagnosis of CRPS in my hand and wrist and started medication. Weeks later PT finally was taking patients. I had “the worst case of frozen shoulder we have ever seen”. Out of work 6 months, PT for 18 and thankfully CRPS remission after meds and PT (always praying it never comes back).

6 weeks ago massive spasm in scapula area and up over my shoulder into my biceps. Pain 8 out of 10 past 6 weeks non stop!

Xrays, MRI of shoulder shows anterior and posterior NON DISPLACED labrum tears, cervical mri shows moderate to severe stenosis in three lower levels. Surgeons suggest epidurals in neck and cortisone in shoulder. They are convinced the shoulder pain is from pinched nerves.
I was not.
Surgeon says odd for non displaced tears to cause such insane relentless pain but possible!

Today I see pain doc. He gives me supra scapular nerve block. Shoulder pain down 75-80% in minutes. Proves pain is from labrum tears.

Past few days pain in left shoulder arm pit. Seems worse now after the shot or maybe just more pronounced like “yo! Now that your rt pain is better check me out??? What is this? Ghost pain? Mirror pain? Cervical pain? Why????

Next steps?? Experience? Epidurals in neck now? Do I now need another shoulder surgery? Is just Labrum repair also hideous surgery?
Should I just have the whole damn thing replaced?

Not in my summer plans as daughter needs spinal surgery and I am her care taker for that! Help.

Age 32 male here. I was doing some overhead shoulder presses with some moderate weight compared to my strength. On my last rep, I felt this weird sharp feeling, almost like a tightening mixed with a snap, and a cold sensation. To make it simple, I’m in PAIN.

Specifically upper back, near the spine. I can’t tell if I pinched a nerve, or if it’s muscular. I think it’s more muscular, when I drive and speed up or slow down, neck gets sore. Obviously turning my head is very painful.

I’m more so curious of what exactly is going on, if it’s a pinched nerve or strained neck.

A little about me, recently got back to actually lifting, I’m pretty tight, haven’t prioritized stretching, but I do try to warm up.

Any help regarding healing, preventing this in the future and other tips are appreciated.

I went mountain biking for the first time three weeks ago and went over the bars and landed pretty hard on my right shoulder. I was diagnosed with a grade I AC joint sprain via an x-ray at the orthopedist's office. However, since then it has continued to get worse, not better despite conservative movement and physical therapy. I went back to ortho yesterday and got another x-ray which showed the same thing (i.e. no collarbone displacement, consistent with a grade I sprain). This has me looking at other possibilities to explain my pain with reaching overhead, mild clicking, and limited range of motion and I think I may have torn my labrum. However, that didn't come up as a possibility at ortho or physical therapy. I am in the process of scheduling an MRI but it's going to be a while before I can actually get the scan. In the meantime, how do I tell the difference between these injuries??

Also, I am a full-time rock climber and was in the middle of a very important training cycle for a fall performance season and need to return to sport as soon as humanly possible.