8 year old boy with left shoulder pain and arm weakness at night

[Jen005]

My son has been having left shoulder pain for 1 year that is waking him up several times per night.  It also is painful during the day, but it comes and goes throughout the day.  He is also having a difficult time moving his arm at night.  He appears to have some muscle weakness when he wakes up from the shoulder pain. He is unable to move his arm. He was bit by a bug on the same left shoulder around the same time these symptoms started, but I am not sure if it is related.  He had x-rays recently and they were normal.  His blood work so far is normal, but we are waiting on his arthritis screen to come back.  He has tried changing his sleeping position, but he is limited on what he can do because of it hurts to lay on his left side.  What could this be?

[selmaS]

HI...in reading this thread u added that he has back of head and neck pain...has he had a MRI of his brain and or cervical spine for this?...was the dr informed?

May I ask, does ur DS have ne other issues u did not consider were related?

"selma"

[Jen005]

Thank you for the idea.  It is interesting that you suggested nerve irritation in the cervical spine area because all year he has been complaining about his neck and the back of his head.  I just didn't put all of this together because he is now complaining more about his shoulder and arm.

You are so smart!  Thanks again, I will mention this to his pediatrician.

Jen  :)

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. I think his symptoms may be due to nerve irritation in the cervical (neck) spine. This pain may be referred and perceived as occurring in the back of head & shoulders (as electric sensation)- LHERMITTES SIGN, arms or chest, rather than just the neck. Other symptoms may include vertigo, nausea (dizziness) and stiffness. It will be best that you consult a neurologist who would like to prescribe Pain killers, steroid and muscle relaxants. Other treatments could be cervical orthosis such as a soft cervical collar or stiffer neck brace to restrict neck movement till you get complete recovery. In addition, cervical traction may also be suggested by the doctor, if condition is severe. Hope this helps.