I can't lift my arm. What should I do?

After a shoulder injury, you can have pain and weakness of your shoulder and arm. If you wonder what you could have done, watch this Ask Dr. Geier video. I offer tips for what to do next.

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After a shoulder injury, you can have pain and weakness of your shoulder and arm. If you’re thinking, “I can’t lift my arm,” and you wonder what you could have done, watch this Ask Dr. Geier video. I offer tips for what to do next.

I can’t lift my arm. What should I do?

Pain can be a common reason you can’t lift your arm. You aggravate your shoulder somehow, flaring it up and causing a shoulder impingement type of problem. That pain alone can make it hard to lift your arm, because the higher you lift it, the more pain you experience as the rotator cuff tendons rub against the tip of your shoulder blade.

On the other hand, you could have injured one of the structures in your shoulder. For example, you could have a rotator cuff tear or labral tear, leading to weakness independent of your pain.

In this video, I describe some of the causes of difficulty lifting your arm. I offer possible diagnoses for your pain and weakness. I then discuss when it might be appropriate to go to the emergency room, when you should see an orthopedic surgeon and when you can wait a few days or see a physical therapist.

[DrDavidGeier]

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[Fitzcount]

I found this video useful as it made it clear the difference between can't move the arm due to (1) pain or (2) weakness. Now I have the right words to talk to my doctor.

[streamspartners]

Thx for what you do! I am a 66 yr old male. Very involved in sports. Pickleball. Fitness training. Baseball. I attempted a return to Men's Senior Baseball yesterday after a long absence. First game back; I realized that while I was in good 'shape', I was not in 'baseball competition shape'. 1st inning; I'm playing 3rd base; runner attempts to steal 3rd. My catcher throws to 3rd; the runner attempts an evasive slide. The throw was close but not dead on target. I dove to tag the evading runner. The next inning I found that my arm was in pain. I could still move it but the pain was bad. Today I can not lift the arm to eye level. It was not (I don't think) a throwing injury. Perhaps a diving injury. I never felt that I knew when it happened. Today both shoulders feel similarly painful although I can lift my left (non-throwing) arm. I realize that I'm 'done' with baseball. I plan to rest and heal and continue w/ competitive Pickleball. But I need guidance. I'm seeing my Physical Therapist tomorrow. But I appreciate your video and your perspective.

[latemRevE]

Josh, a 32-year-old man is involved in a motor vehicle accident. He used three-point restraints and was driving a sedan. The driver of a pick-up truck ran a stop sign while going at approximately 45 mph and “T-boned” the patient’s vehicle on the driver’s side. The patient has multiple injuries including a displaced fracture of the right humerus. He complains of an inability to open his right hand and loss of sensation to a portion of his right hand.

[IALewis]

I had what is called Frozen Shoulder. I went to physical therapy for weeks and the muscles started working again.

[violetrhule]

I didn't injury myself or anything. I just realized I can't lift my left arm above my head. I don't have any pain or discomfort. It just take extra effort and a longtime like getting a cup from the top cupboard. I can hold any thing so the arm is weak but not the fingers

[JustKev_]

I can’t lift the arm and I have pain throughout the entire day.It’s a rotator cuff tear on my right arm.I Was doing pull-ups because I’m a martial artist but it’s not the first time I had rotator cuff issues but this pain is unbearable 🤦🏻‍♂️ never experienced this pain at all before.it’s bad that I need pain killers for my arm and I’m never the one to use stuff like that at all. 🙏🏼✊🏽thanks for the information

[nohivega]

I had this in my right arm. The left-arm had to learn to do everything. I forced myself to lift it to where it was comfortable, everyday. It went away. For a period of time I have been using both arms. But lately my left arm hurts. I can lift it but the forearm hurts. I can't use it anymore to reach something.

[Bahirajour]

I'm 55 y.o. and I felt this hurting lifting my arm 4 months ago. I jog during that time even now. When I swim the pain is being removed.

[perrykirschbaum]

Hi Dr Geiger… was on vacation and slipped on a ramp getting off an excursion back onto a pier. It was wet, though not noticeable. No signs to warn pedestrians it was wet, or to show caution, even from the security guard checking your pass. No guard or hand rails to hold on to. I showed my pass, was first in line to leave, and as I stepped forward to go down the ramp, I slipped and down I went. Fell on my butt but as I did, turned to my left for some reason and hit my upper left arm and shoulder. Extraordinary pain and immobility of any arm movement. Things of course happened really fast. All I could think was to protect my head from hitting the ground in another country. After being brought back to the cruise ship, visited the infirmary to get checked out. After questions and brief examination, they took an X-ray which determined that there was no break, fracture or dislocation. Yet, pain and inability to move my arm on my own even though the RN who was with me was able to move the arm with some pain. It was determined that with my weight falling as I did it caused a severe sprain. I was instructed to place ice every 15-20 minutes during waking hours and take two pain meds every six to eight hours as need to help with both pain and inflammation. I’m back home now but even though several days, four to be exact, have past, not much improvement and there is severe bruising on the left bicep, very dark in color. I’m waiting for a full week to pass, but am concerned that X-rays only show bones and an MRI might be needed to rule out ruptures, tendon or muscles concerns. I realize you haven’t seen me, you’re not my doc, but do you have any thoughts or suggestions before I go visit my doc?

[EnglishLearnersHere]

Thanks for this very useful awesome video! <3

[johnduy]

Hi Doctor, I got into an accident some time back and landed on my shoulder and I never even told the doctor for it, over the years it came and go but as of this point I couldn't lift my arm unless with the help of my other arm / what should I do ?

[Jagr-egnw]

Took a rugby tackle badly had his weight and my weight push my arm backwards at an awkward angle can't lift arm because it is too weak and hurts a bit. No idea what is going on but is clearly not a dislocation. I will give a few days then consider seeking medical attention

[Tesla_Fred]

I had Rotator cuff surgery where I had bone spurs, and torn tendons. Everything had been fine, did PT for a while, then started doing my own exercises. Now, I can't raise my arm at all, no strength to keep it up. I have to use my other arm to lift it up, but can't keep it in the air. What's wrong it?

[koririan]

thanks for the information.. God bless you 🙏 brother.

[lorrfarpor]

No known injury. First thought I was sleeping in a bad position on old mattress. I’m 50. For a few months gradually getting worse can’t raise my arms overhead past shoulder level. Worse in left arm. Wakes me up at night Hurts! and decreased ROM can’t brush my hair or shave underarms. I’ve gained 50lbs this past year I thought it was because I’m fatter. Now seeing this, I’ll make an appt to check on it

[ladybird]

My left arm pain started when I was folding large bed sheets. I could not lift arm and continuing to fold the sheets by lifting arm really hurt. What has happened please?

[oukassafamily]

I can’t lift my right hand since when I was born, my mum told me that before She gave me birth, I was too big so the broke my arm so that I can come out! I’m in Us 🇺🇸 now and I would like to fix it

[GrowthMindsetTogether]

Hi i cant lift my arm up all the way only less than halfway i tried putting heat pack on shoulder but only works temporary doc says there is inflammation in shoulder am waiting for physio but i cant rest at nights

[michaelguy]

I have numbness from my neck to middle of my right peck all the way round my bicep to middle of back shoulder blade?Any help?Be th DR they have no clue