Shoulder pain and shifting, especially 5th and 10th gears.

Could be thoracic outlet syndrome. Common for drivers who sit with arm on door ledge or arm rest too high. Although those positions may seem comfortable they are ergonomically wrong. Keep elbows low,,,massage therapist can help alleviate the pain and it will go away in time.

It was a massage therapist who recognized my TOL when she asked what I did for a living and location of any pain.

 

The easiest thing to try for a few days would be to grab the shifter lower on the stick and see if that’s a more natural hand position for you. I end up cutting about 4-6” off the stick and that’s way more comfortable for me. Other than that it will come down to heating and bending it to get it comfortable for you.

 

Exactly what I did. I'm not cool anymore with a high stick but that's the price you pay.

 

We're a sad bunch. We'll laugh at almost anything.

 

Lotsa men insult women without seemingly a 2nd thought, so I-4-1 "see" no problem.
You're in a, what used to be referred to as "a mans' job/profession" so let fly or direct yer insults at I or thru a PM.
If it'll Help You then Let 'Em Fly and I'm a quiet Ear.

I've had a right shoulder dilemna since early 2020 and it "might have stemmed from some aspects of Trucking" yet were not clarified as such.
I was given some "shoulder exercise worksheets" and did said excercises
at home (as the medical facility was $100.00 to walk in + 125.00 each 15 minutes [blue cross Big Shaft "insurance"]), so those visits were eliminated.

What is your Range of Movement??

You stated throwing tarps and straps = no problem, so it appears pulling 5th pins is no problem, where I was affected by such action & 5th pins seemingly, in MY observation and actions, not designed for Lefties.

I have not a full range of motion yet it is much, much better than of when the "restriction" began.

As to "shifting": it should not require much effort unless the transmission is worn out or low on fluid or not floated.
Ya only, usually, need yer clutch twice: starting & stopping.

CHEERS!!

 

On the older, manual, cable range shifted, RR's, we would calculate a position where the shift knob should be and then heat and bend the stalk into an angle to place the knob where you could rest your hand on it, but almost also rest you thumb on your right thigh. Sort of made a consistent rectangle of movement.
may not be possible with air range shift and present company policy/shop mechanics unconcern. We just did our own at the shop on weekend's in.

 

Years, and years, ago, when my father was a company driver for Southland Corp., when he was assigned a brand new truck(about every 18 months), his right shoulder was always sore for month or so. The company leased Diamond REO cabovers with Detroit’s and 13 sp. By the mid ‘70’s they had IHC 4070’s, they though they were in ‘tall cotton’ then.