Why am I having radiating pain in front of shoulder after surgery for bursitis?

[Nychole3412]

I have had a myriad of shoulder problems that got worse very fast a few months ago.

I've always had pretty bad flares of bursitis. A few months ago, it got more severe and took 4 days to go away, but after only 2 or 3 days, it came back and did not resolve. The pain was so excruciating my range of motion was essentially none in all directions. An x ray showed a large piece of calcium.  My MRI showed several calcium deposits and several minor tears in various tendons. It's important to note that my pain radiated down to my elbow and forearm. I had sharp pain on the outer shoulder as well as sharp pain in the front of my shoulder that radiated. I got a cortisone shot which provided no relief. The pain was so severe I almost wasn't able to lie down or position my arm for the MRI. My Dr. recommended surgery to remove the calcium deposits and perform a decompression for impingement. Up until the arthroscopic surgery a month later, I had very limited to no range of motion and severe pain. After the surgery, I was OK for about a week. However, pain and stiffness began and got worse but really only in the front of my shoulder. Although my active range of motion is limited, it is much better under passive motion. I am about 3.5 wks after the surgery and about 10 times/day while performing minor arm movements, it feels like a tendon pops in and out of place. It is pretty excruciating. Today, I suddenly felt a burning and throbbing in my shoulder after which unbearably sharp pain in the front of shoulder, bicep, and elbow began. I couldn't move my arm at all. The stabbing pain continued even without movement. It did not resolve even after the prescribed 800mg of ibuprofen and other pain meds. Even my ice machine didn't make it feel better. A hot shower helped the most with the pain. My question is what could possibly be going on? My MRI did show tendinosis in a few tendons, and I did perform new exercises in PT today involving the bicep muscle. However, this pain is pretty extreme to the point I almost called an ambulance to go to the ER. Is there something else my doctor should be looking for? Is there any way to relieve this pain? I am desperate for pain relief and range of motion improvement.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello, welcome to MedHelp. We sure are sorry to hear about the pain you are in as it sounds excruciating.  Have you followed up with your doctor?  What have they said?  When you feel severe pain such as you describe, it is always recommended to seek medical attention.

In general though, the time frame to be pain free after this type of surgery is 2 to 4 months.  You are very soon after post op and should still be limiting your movement. You should be in a shoulder sling still at this point in recovery.  I'm glad you are doing physical therapy but make sure the movement while pushing you in terms of future mobility through stretching should not cause pain.  Here is an article about this shoulder issue https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/shoulder-elbow-bursitis-treatment#2 and another that is related  https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/calcium-deposits-on-tendons#1
Let us know how you are doing.  Best of health to you.