Paralysed arm??

[Ashlee]

A friend of mine at work came in the other day complaining she couldnt move her arm. She is in her 60s and I thought maybe she had slept on it funny or something simple.

Over a week later and she still can't move it. She can move her forearm fine, but has no power to lift her arm. She was told it was Frozen Shoulder, but I disagree as she said there's no pain associated with it. She can lift her arm if she moves it/supports it with her other arm and she says if she moves it this way she hears a small clicking noise.

I am worried she is poorly diagnosed. She has bruising around the area where the specialist has tried to move the shoulder around in case of a partial dislocation - but wouldnt this be painful??

I think it may be something to do with her brachial plexus - surely it must be a nerve problem since her arm is practically paralysed? Could it possibly even be caused by something serious such as a minor stroke?

Any help will be much appreciated!

[Heidi]

Hi
It is worth getting a second opinion in this case. My initial thought from reading the first couple of lines was frozen shoulder, however, you are right, this is normally painful, at least at first and then it seizes up.
Nerve injury is possible - but are there any other symptoms? Pins and needles, numbness, cold hands, weak or heavy feeling?
Encourage her to seek a second opinion with another Doctor as soon as she can.

Good luck

[Ashlee]

Thanks heaps for your reply - much appreciated!
Don't think any other symptoms are present (such as tingling etc). I will encourage her to get another opinion and hopefully find out whats going on!
Thanks!!