Severe should pain, no trigger.... (RN's please?)?

1rst - you are never to young for arthritis, i have Psoriatic arthritis and it started when i was 12 years old, diagnosed at 28. osteoarthritis usually affects persons over 40, but there are over 100 types of arthritis and infectious and autoimmune types can affect any age group

2nd - because of the intense years long diagnosis process i know a lot about different options this could be even though i am not in the medical field i might be able to help you

3rd - this sounds like a rotator cuff / tendinitis type problem which can be caused by an acute injury or repetitive movements of the arm. my initial (incorrect) diagnosis was tendinitis / bursitis so i can advise you on how to help that.

4rth - no matter what the problem is building up anti-inflammatory medication in your system can reduce the swelling to help healing process, then you can begin "passive range of motion exercises (somone else moves you through a slightly uncomfortable range of motion while you remain as relaxed and "passive" as possible

5th - physical therapy will help you prevent permanent loss of motion (look up exercises online if you cant afford it, or go for one session and do the excercises at home)

6th - if you do not move your arm at all it can freeze in position and cause INTENSE pain

7th - if you could describe which activities aggravate it i could probably help you more

8th - you NEED to see a doctor before this gets any worse, family doctor, physical therapy, orthopedist, then if no diagnosis is formed see a rhuematologist

9th - no matter what get a 2nd opinion because it was the 4rth doctor i saw who who sent me to the right specialists and after years of pain i discovered i had PA and MS