Understanding Normal Shoulder and Arm Range of Motion

Question
I've had shoulder pains in my left shoulder for nearly a month now and have made a doctor's appt. Don't know the cause and no signs of injury. Even hurts to roll over in bed both using the arm to roll or rolling with arm  away from mattress. Do you know of a good list chart that shows the normal motions the arm can make both with shoulder and elbow movements? I'd like to move it around before my appt so I  know what to tell my doctor about what hurts.

Answer
Hi James,

Here are a couple of links to online information and pictures.  I'm not sure exactly what you are looking for.

http://www.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/ms/forms/13_585a.pdf

https://www.google.com/search?q=chart+for+range+of+motion+of+shoulder+joint&client=firefox-a&hs=nwH&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=wkqrU4-tN4WZqAaouICoBA&ved=0CBwQsAQ&biw=1344&bih=731

Most doctors don't tend to know a lot about muscles and most likely your problem is caused by muscles.  That's that usual cause for pain and dysfunction.  

I hope this helps and good luck with your doctor visit.   

Please feel free to write again.

Thank you for your question.

Kathryn