Joe A Shaw PA-C - 10/2/2014

Question
While wringing out a rag last week, I had severe, stabbing pain in my shoulder.  It was so severe, I couldn't move at all without horrible pain.  I went to the Dr and he said either bursitis or I had torn something in the rotator cuff.  He gave me a shot of morphine and a sling.  The next day the pain was almost gone and within 48 hours it was totally gone.  My question is this; Can bursitis come on instantaneously and quit hurting so quickly? Can a tear react the same way, coming and going so quickly? Will this happen again? Are there precautions I can take?

Thank you

Answer
Victoria, It would be very unusual if you were actually given morphine which is a narcotic, especially for something like this. Usually a person will get cortisone and lidocaine injection in the shoulder joint itself and yes if it was bursitis as this is an inflammation of the bursa sac it can help greatly. The condition can certainly come back especially with usage even with a tear you may get some relief with a cortisone injection but not as much and likely you will end up getting an MRI to see if there is a tear. Xrays show bony anatomy they will not show muscles,tendons or tears.