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Hi everyone, been having some neck/shoulder blade/arm/hand pain for a month or so, went to an Ortho who did an x-ray and said I had "arthritis" and signs of degeneration in my neck (40 yrs old BTW) Wants to "wait and see" and gave me some stretches/exercises to do. Next step will be PT and maybe cervical traction. Does his diagnosis sound right? Shouldn't an MRI be done?
1. When did the pain begin?
About one month ago
2. What were you doing at the time? Or did the pain come on gradually over time?
Pain came on spontaneously
3. Where, anatomically, is the pain?
right side of neck, across shoulder blade, into tricep, top of forearm, into top of hand (and thumb, index, middle finger)
4. What does the pain feel like? Sharp? Dull? Aching? Stabbing? Shooting?
dull, aching, sometimes tingling and "shock" sensations. Numbness in between index and middle finger. Arm and hand often feel tired and heavy.
5. Is the pain constant, or intermittent, or only on certain motions?
some days constant, some days intermittent, not related to any motions or postures
6. What motions make your pain worse?
none
7. What, if anything, makes your pain better?
sometimes NSAIDS, heating pad, stretching but only temporarily
8. Does your pain radiate to any other part of your body?
Yes, arm and hand
9. What things could you do before, that you cannot do now because of your injury?
nothing, just have the pain/discomfort
10. What is your main concern regarding the pain and its consequences?
nerve damage, progresion to weakess
11. Have you ever injured that part of your body before? If so, how?
No
12. Is your pain getting worse over time? And if so, how much worse over what time period?
pain is staying about the same
Sounds as though you're getting "radiculopathic" symptoms, i.e., symptoms related to nerve root compression (sounds like C6/C7 nerve roots to me). MRI isn't really necessary yet as your treatment will certainly be non-surgical for the time being. In reality, the best reason to do an MRI would be if surgery is being considered. Otherwise, it really doesn't add much except for nice pictures.
Sounds as though you're getting "radiculopathic" symptoms, i.e., symptoms related to nerve root compression (sounds like C6/C7 nerve roots to me). MRI isn't really necessary yet as your treatment will certainly be non-surgical for the time being. In reality, the best reason to do an MRI would be if surgery is being considered. Otherwise, it really doesn't add much except for nice pictures.
Thanks, was just worried that the doctor wasn't doing all he should. I have been sent for MRI for more minor things in the past so was surprised he didn't order one. When I googled Cervical spondylosis I found I pretty much fit the picture down to the "clumsy" feeling in the hand. In fact, that was one of the first symptoms, I noticed my typing with my right hand was "off".
Lara, are you still seeing that PT for the foot issue? If they are Maitland trained, they would be able to clear this up likely in a few short visits (I see it all the time).
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Lara, are you still seeing that PT for the foot issue? If they are Maitland trained, they would be able to clear this up likely in a few short visits (I see it all the time).
Julie I actually just started the PT but it is not for my foot, it is for this neck and back stuff. The foot stuff I am doing on my own.
I had my first session last week and 2nd one today. I did pick a guy from the website you sent me (thanks so much) He found that the muscles around the shoulder blades are too long and stretched (they are low?), pecs are tight, and neck issues from poor posture i.e. sitting at computer all day. That combined with whatever degeneration is going on with the neck are causing the problems.
He is a bit confused about my hand symptoms since it doesnt match with the level of my neck that shows the problems. He thinks there is some nerve adhesion maybe in forearm or wrist area.
how long does it usually take to see some improvement?
My partner Carol just Tuesday finally had neck surgery for radiculopathy/cervical spondylosis, but she'd had calcification and had been suffering for 14 months. First she had prednizone treatment, then she had a series of 3 epidurals. Neither of those treatments worked. But when I did research for her, I found that PT and maybe cervical traction were the first steps that were recommended.
Also, I wonder if your foot issue aggravated your posture , since you spent what 6-8 weeks hobbling, maybe on crutches, certainly not standing upright and straight. I know I have had knee issues and bunion issues when I got fitted for an orthotic and the fit was incorrect. Everything is so related.
My partner Carol just Tuesday finally had neck surgery for radiculopathy/cervical spondylosis, but she'd had calcification and had been suffering for 14 months. First she had prednizone treatment, then she had a series of 3 epidurals. Neither of those treatments worked. But when I did research for her, I found that PT and maybe cervical traction were the first steps that were recommended.
Also, I wonder if your foot issue aggravated your posture , since you spent what 6-8 weeks hobbling, maybe on crutches, certainly not standing upright and straight. I know I have had knee issues and bunion issues when I got fitted for an orthotic and the fit was incorrect. Everything is so related.
Etana I hope Carol is doing well! I am STILL in the walking boot. It has been 10 weeks now. I am weaning out of it now so 50/50 and waiting for my orthotics to come in next week. My heel still has some pain so I am quite frustrated that the boot was all for naught but who knows if it would have been worse without it?
The Orthopedist said the boot could have contributed to this but hard to say. The boot is on right foot and pain is all on the right side. I know my posture at my desk is not so great either. I was surprised that my back muscles were imbalanced because I am careful to mix up my workouts and hit the different muscle groups. Some are too tight and others are too elonagted/stretched. Not allowed to do anything but seated rows and bicep/triceps. just when I was really working on building shoulders and towards unassisted pull-ups.
You'll get there Lara!
I suspect you will respond rather rapidly to treatment ... especially once he starts getting the peripheral nerves moving again.
Etana, glad that Carol finally had her surgery ... soon you'll both be up and running!
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Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
Etana I hope Carol is doing well! I am STILL in the walking boot. It has been 10 weeks now. I am weaning out of it now so 50/50 and waiting for my orthotics to come in next week. My heel still has some pain so I am quite frustrated that the boot was all for naught but who knows if it would have been worse without it?
The Orthopedist said the boot could have contributed to this but hard to say. The boot is on right foot and pain is all on the right side. I know my posture at my desk is not so great either. I was surprised that my back muscles were imbalanced because I am careful to mix up my workouts and hit the different muscle groups. Some are too tight and others are too elonagted/stretched. Not allowed to do anything but seated rows and bicep/triceps. just when I was really working on building shoulders and towards unassisted pull-ups.
Lara, I just cannot believe you are still in the boot!!! Have you gotten second and third opinions? (Dr. Howard Osterman is my podiatrist in DC) ... I really think the boot CAN be the cause of your problems.
Dr. Howard Osterman
1720 I St NW # 402, Washington - (202) 331-9727
About 3 times I had new orthotics, within 3 days I thought there was something seriously wrong with my back.
(the worst was when by mistake they made a non-bending ankle plastic boot for my left foot; they were supposed to make a hinged-brace). Not unlike your boot situation.
I had SEVERE pain in my hip, all parts of my back, back of knee. Until I realized it was related to my orthotic. I think I even had chest pain, thinking heart attack. I thougth I had to go to the ER. It took days to think it could possibly be the new ankle brace, but that was the only thing I had changed in that past week.
I think you should take the boot off for 5-7 days. It's not helping anyway... At least it might give the rest of your body a rest.
Another poor orthotic fit, and my right (good foot) bunion was burning and I wanted to cut it off!! The skeleton and nerve structure is such a delicate balance, one would think I should believe in g-d, our bodies are such a complex miracle and pain.
Carol is no better 10 days post op. Her pain is as severe. She is pretty depressed. The surgeon mentioned her bones and openings were unusually small, but didnt' say if that meant anything. He said it can take time. She'll see him again in 10 days.
My new doctor said there are all kinds of arthritic changes that show up on xrays which do not translate into pain. I had a pinched nerve problem over 20 years ago. At that time the ortho doctor said the same thing - degenerative arthritic changes in the neck. 22 years later I have no pain or symptoms from whatever he saw. The pinched nerve resolved in about 6 weeks. Meanwhile for over a week it was so painful that I couldn't lie down or drive. Pinched nerves can take a long, uncomfortable time to get better, but it might be a simple explanation for your symptoms. I think being on crutches for a long time may contribute to something like that. And the boot.
My trainer has been working on fixing my posture for many months. It is finally getting better, but I still have imbalances. My chest was contracted, my back was rounded. I have lost so much flexibility in all those muscles!
Best wishes for your problem resolving quickly and simply.
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Moondust The older I get, the older old gets.
My new doctor said there are all kinds of arthritic changes that show up on xrays which do not translate into pain. I had a pinched nerve problem over 20 years ago. At that time the ortho doctor said the same thing - degenerative arthritic changes in the neck. 22 years later I have no pain or symptoms from whatever he saw. The pinched nerve resolved in about 6 weeks. Meanwhile for over a week it was so painful that I couldn't lie down or drive. Pinched nerves can take a long, uncomfortable time to get better, but it might be a simple explanation for your symptoms. I think being on crutches for a long time may contribute to something like that. And the boot.
My trainer has been working on fixing my posture for many months. It is finally getting better, but I still have imbalances. My chest was contracted, my back was rounded. I have lost so much flexibility in all those muscles!
Best wishes for your problem resolving quickly and simply.
I agree about symptoms on xrays not always meaning anything but I am very symptomatic in the correlating areas. The pain is not severe, it is actually the neurological signs that are bothering me the most right now. I have always read that pain is actually a better sign than loss of sensation/tingling etc when it comes to outcomes. I have tingling, numbness, burning, loss of sensation in some areas, etc. My doctor did not detect any weakness with the simple tests they do (squeeze the hand, push against them, etc) but I have noticed some weakness when lifting.
The PT said my chest is very tight and my shoulders do round forward so posture/imbalances are probably playing a role too. I need a full Neuro workup but my doctor would not give the referral yet. Its quite scary and googling symptoms has given me everything from MS, brain tumor, Lupus, etc so of course that has me freaking out
I never used crutches. The doctors don't seem to think the boot has anything to do with it but I wonder if it somehow aggravated something by throwing off my gait. They said the boot could cause problems with lower back disks but that is not where my pain/symptoms are.
I had similar symptoms earlier this year and was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I would wake up in the middle of the night with my right arm and shoulder on fire and numbness in my thumb and index finger. The tingling would continue throughout the day. I would wake up 8-10 times a night. It was horrible. My MRI showed that I had a relative spinal stenosis at C5-6 from spurs and a relatively insignificant left paracentral disk protrusion at C6-7.
I went to see a really good rolfer and had him work on loosening up the tightness in my forearm, wrist, chest, shoulders and neck. The scalenes in my neck were key in getting the pain and tingling to stop. I suspect you may have gotten some trigger points in your scalenes from walking on crutches. Maybe if you find a really good rolfer or a massage therapist that has knowlege of trigger point therapy, it may help with your problems. Just a thought.
I had similar symptoms earlier this year and was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I would wake up in the middle of the night with my right arm and shoulder on fire and numbness in my thumb and index finger. The tingling would continue throughout the day. I would wake up 8-10 times a night. It was horrible. My MRI showed that I had a relative spinal stenosis at C5-6 from spurs and a relatively insignificant left paracentral disk protrusion at C6-7.
I went to see a really good rolfer and had him work on loosening up the tightness in my forearm, wrist, chest, shoulders and neck. The scalenes in my neck were key in getting the pain and tingling to stop. I suspect you may have gotten some trigger points in your scalenes from walking on crutches. Maybe if you find a really good rolfer or a massage therapist that has knowlege of trigger point therapy, it may help with your problems. Just a thought.
thanks for the info. I did not use crutches (if I did it would explain a lot of the symptoms but I did not) And carpal tunnel was ruled out. I know that posture is key and whether or not it is behind these syptoms something that needs to be addressed. I read something about Feldenkrais being good for posture but don't know much about it. Will look into rolfing as well.
With the worsening of my symptoms I am sure the doc will order an MRI when I see him in a few weeks.
I wonder if it somehow aggravated something by throwing off my gait.
This is certainly the simplest option to target/eliminate first, and not wearing the boot for another 2 weeks should help or completely relieve symptoms if they were from the boot.
If you didn't wear your new orthotics for a few weeks, would you be in pain standing and walking? Just to give your body a rest?
Cervical Spondylosis or Cevical Disk Issue?
just when I was really working on building shoulders and towards unassisted pull-ups.
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