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Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: Thoracic nerve problemForum: Neurology Forum
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i am looking for information and a course of action. The following is a history: On July 9 of this year I came down with a stiff neck, I did not injure myself, and it developed into severe pain and the loss of feeling in my right arm and thumb. A week later I ended up with winged scapula on my right side. I've been to several doctors including neurologists. i have had an MRI that showed only a slight bluge on the left side that looke like an old injury, the Dr. said it had nothing to do with my problem and that all films looked fine. I have been tested for lime disease nad had blood work and everything was fine. I have been in PT for the last six weeks. The pain has lessened in my right lower neck, but I still have numbness in my thumb and shooting pain in my right arm. Drs have told me at this point I am to live like this and hope it gets better. I am very concernec with losing this muscle and living in this pain for th e rest of my life. Is there any research or clinic that is specializing in this problem? At this point I will go anywhere to see if there is anything I can do to regain my right side. I feel too much time has passed and I need to determine what the next course of action shouold be. Thank you for your time. It really is not possible to make a definite diagnosis for you but one strong possibility which comes to mind is a rare disorder called Parsonage-Turner syndrome or neuralgic amyotrophy, this is a spontaneous inflammation of a nerve which presents initially as pain and then produces weakness in the muscles supplied by that nerve causing ( if the nerve involved is the long thoracic nerve - winging of the scapula ). It often follows an apparently trivial cold, viral infection, vaccination or even minor surgery, the pain remits after a few weeks and recovery of strength follows more slowly. I cannot say that this is your problem but it is a possibility, tests - apart from EMGs are usually normal. The Cleveland clinic neuromuscular dept has a lot of experience with this disorder, an appointment can be made at (216 )444 5559, ask to see Dr Shields or Dr Levin.
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