OA in shoulder

gingerkate
gingerkate Member Posts: 5
edited 31. Dec 2008, 16:07 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello, I'm 47, I climb regularly, and I've recently been diagnosed with OA in one shoulder. My GP says it will have been caused by climbing. But the puzzling thing is, whilst lots of everyday activities cause pain in the affected shoulder (walking, standing with the arm dangling, using computer keyboard, hoovering...) climbing doesn't make it hurt at all. This doesn't make sense to me (or to my GP!)... if climbing has caused the damage, why doesn't climbing hurt? Anyone any ideas? Thanks for any replies!
Kate

Comments

  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,393
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kate,

    Sometimes arthritis doesn't make sense at all. I've thought really hard on this one and the only thing I can equate it to is that when I've been walking too much and my self-fused ankle is getting uncomfortable and I know I have to sit down, it's when I take the weight off the ankle that it becomes excruitating :shock: and this gradually abates into a nasty throb. I always dread putting my weight back onto it but when I do it's always much better than I expect it's going to be. So, I'm thinking, when you're climbing and stretching your shoulder above and beyond the call of duty it's okay with the arthritis it's when you stop and use it normally and things relax into their proper position that's when the joint rebels. I know, this still doesn't make sense maybe Arthur understands and we're not meant to:roll:

    Hope it settles soon anyway :)

    Luv Legs
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,
    I also have OA in shoulder joints, as well as everywhere else, I'm 53. I have done a lot of swimming/windsurfing/sailing/canoeing/everything. The only sense is that the joints are susceptible to OA and thats that. I find a lot of rest and some movement (is that exercise?) pills and tens machine helps but none are a cure-all. Its funny you should mention the dangling arm, mine hurts like that as well,(!) at times, other times, it just bloody hurts.


    8) Its a grin, honest.
    M
  • gingerkate
    gingerkate Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for your replies Legs and M.

    I've been away from the computer for a few days, and my shoulder is better as a result, but has just now been set off again by the 'standing around with arm dangling whilst chatting to friend' thing... how silly is that!... think I might try and rig myself up some sort of sling...

    I've been referred to a shoulder specialist. If he has any answers I'll post them here, in case anyone else has similar.
  • petmad
    petmad Member Posts: 252
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kate I have OA in many areas including the shoulders which are the bane of my life. A|s you say inactivity and being in a position where the arm hangs down or any other 'relaxed' position id awful. I even have a variety of cushions I use at different times to support my shoulders by resting my elbows in a position which pushes the shoulder up in the socket...weird but this helps for a time. Hope you get some answers soon. Linda
  • gingerkate
    gingerkate Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Linda, that's exactly what I'm doing! I prop my arm up with a pillow tucked in my armpit when I use the computer, and I fight the family for my preferred section of our (oval) dining table so I'm at the right bit of the oval to allow arm propping!.... it all seems to help, doesn't stop it but reduces it. I've a friend who is an oesteopath, who doesn't believe that this pain I'm getting is the arthritis.... but I hadn't met anyone else who has pain from dangling arm before and now here are three of us, all with OA, so that seems to me to suggest it is.
    Do you get it when walking, too? I'm wondering about using my walking poles, because I don't get it so much when using poles, but I might try a scarf sling and see how that goes first.
    Thanks for the replies. I'm glad I found this forum, it doesn't feel so depressing when you find other people battling the same problems.

    Happy New Year everyone!
    Kate