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Neck and upper back/shoulder blade pain

About 2 years ago i was working out at my local gym and was lifting a very heavy weight on a chest press machine. During one repetition i brought the weight back to the starting position and as i did this something happened inside my right shoulder blade which resulted in an excruciating sharp stabbing pain. The pain was so bad i had to keep my self bent over to the left because if i tried to stand straight the pain was unbearable. This intensity eventually subsided but i have had acute pain in the area ever since. The pain seems to be in inside lower area of the shoulder blade and it has stayed with me in varied degrees of intensity every single day. It is aggravated by turning my head to the far right, far left or up and down and can transfer to my right shoulder blade as well.

In addition to this, about six months ago i started to experience severe neck pain. I woke up one morning and seem to remember stretching with my arms above my head and experienced shooting pains in the right side that where so bad it became impossible to turn my neck. Again the intensity of this subsided and the mobility returned but the pain remained. I find that my neck is constantly stiff and painful when moving it and often feel the need to pull my head over to one side which results in a popping or cracking sound inside my neck. I also experience shooting pains down my arms especially my right arm that is currently manifested in my tricep/elbow region. I have had pins and needle sensations and numbness in my fingertips also. It also tends to hurt in the middle of my spine between the shoulder blades  and near the bottom of my neck. This area hurts sometime when i swallow, breath deeply and cough. I have recently had an MRI scan and an X-Ray on my neck area as that is recently where i have had the most pain. My specialist advised that my neck pain is caused by arthritis (i am 28) brought on by years of sitting at a computer and the shoulder blade pain from a damaged ligament and has recommended exercise for my neck and a cortisone injection for my shoulder blade. Is there anyone that can offer an opinion about what it wrong, if the two problems are connected to one another and how to go about easing the pain? I have has Chiro, PT treatment and acupuncture in the past which has not really helped.  I have included that results of the MRI and X-Ray below.

X-Ray 26 August 2008

Cervical Spine: Some very minor degenerative change only. No loss of vertebral alignment or vertable collapse. Disc spaces are well preserved.

MRI Scan 22 January 2009

Minor reversal of the lordosis. Early disc degeneration present at C5/6 with the disc demonstrating a small right para central bulge which indents the thecal sac but does not result in any compressive effect. Further early disc and end plate degenerative change at C6/7, however, there is no herniation. No significant abnormality of the remaining cervical discs. The cord has normal appearances.

Many thanks

Craig
4 Responses
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Avatar universal
I have had very similar symptoms and x-ray results.  My doc recommened massage therapy and it has proved to be the only relief I have gotten.  Maybe you should try this.  If you can get a referral from your doc, your insurance may pay for it.  Tha is how I have been able to afford it.

Hope this helped!
Helpful - 0
565239 tn?1307874590
If you're not satisfied with the results from your pain management doctor, I suggest you try another one. I have similar issues and see two PM doctors that use different types of treatments. Together they work well and provide me relief for 4 - 6 months between treatments. Don't give up...it takes some patience to find the best treatments.
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Avatar universal
i have just had another treatment of dermal cortizone patches (5 visits 20 minutes each patches have electrodes hooked up to them) this has lessened the pain, i have another 4 visits over two months to go, definetly not a cure but has things more comfortable will keep you posted
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i too have the same symptons and have tried various expensive chiro,physio,osteo,physicians,specialists treatments with no solution. anyone who has a possible answer i willing to try it
Helpful - 0
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