Question
About a year ago while playing golf I lowered a full golf bag, with a shoulder strap,heavily on my shoulder. I had no pain until the following day; I have had x-rays with no visible damage but, every time I play golf, chop wood, use my right arm above my head, the pain comes back the next day. I rested my shoulder for three months but the pain came back after the next game of golf. The acromion swells so I wonder whether the Lateral Deltoid could be torn? My doctor has no suggestions so I'm hoping you can help! Looking forward to your reply. Thanks.

Answer
Robin,

It sounds to me like you have a Shoulder Impingment Syndrome, likely a subacromial impingement.  If you reach your right arm across your chest to place your right hand on the top of the left shoulder, is it painful?  If you keep your arm in this position and then spin your hand/thumb down (the "empty can" position), is it more painful?  If so, then you likely have subacromial impingement.  X-rays are generally not helpful for diagnosing this.  In older folks, x-rays can be helpful in assessing for the level of arthritis or if there are calcifications in the tendons or bursa.  Otherwise, you must simply have the entire shoulder girdle evaluated.  A well-skilled chiropractor as well as an orthopedic shoulder specialist can check for subacromial impingement, posterior-superior glenoid impingement, rotator cuff tear, 'cuff teninosis, and also identify all the muscles in the girdle that are weak or not functioning properly.  With treatment, you should get some improvement, if not complete resolve, within a few months at most.  

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G