Shoulder Problems And Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have numbness or tingling in or below your shoulder?

See significance of numbness and tingling in or below the shoulder if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had new numbness or tingling for more than a few minutes?

Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling in your hand or arm, and your hand or arm is pale, white, blue, or cold?

Yes

Are you unable to move your shoulder normally (not because of pain or because a splint is in the way)?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had steady numbness or tingling in your arm or hand for 1 hour or longer without other loss of function?

Yes

Has your numbness or tingling become worse?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had brief episodes (less than 1 hour) of numbness or tingling off and on for 1 week or longer?

Yes

Has numbness or tingling that comes and goes slowly been getting worse for 1 week or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	September 24, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer