Brian Conroy, M.D., Orthopaedic surgeon with the Alegent Health Orthopaedic Institute.

Q:    I will be having shoulder surgery soon due to pain in my upper left arm.  I am not confident the problem is with my shoulder.  Also, there is a soft lump on the underneath of my upper arm, visible to the eye and very painful.  My doctor does not seem too worried about this.  I am 41 years of age and have had therapy on my arm and have used a Tens unit for pain control.  How can I get my doctor to be concerned about the lump?  Also, what kind of recovery will I be looking at from the shoulder surgery?

A:   Shoulder pain is often referred to the front and side of the upper arm. This is how the nerves in the area are routed. Localizing pain in the shoulder is not as specific as, for example,  in the hand.

Regarding the lump on your arm, I would draw a circle around it and show the area to your doctor and ask specifically why that area is enlarged and tender.

Recovery from shoulder surgery is variable according to the procedure performed and the damage found in the shoulder. I suggest you ask your doctor what the diagnosis is that he or she is treating, and ask for a written plan for the recovery process. Typically, surgeons have a standard rehabilitation protocol that they use. Such a plan will probably be given to you after your surgery. If you would like that information before the surgery I think it is appropriate to ask.

If you do not understand what the surgeon has planned or the consequences of the surgery then I suggest you go back to the surgeon and ask your questions before the day of the operation.