Arm soreness

Hi: I have sore muscles in the top of my right shoulder and my shoulder blade area in the back and am wondering if it could be from always sleeping on that side.  It has always been somewhat irritated for a number of years.  Occaisionally it feels as though I tried to knock a door down using my arm.  After a few weeks it settles down but not completely.  I do work on a computer, could that be causing my problem.  It doesn't get numb or tingle.  Any ideas?  I have all my muscle strength but am wondering why I can't seem to get a full recovery.  It does seem to affect the inside of my arm at the elbow as well down to my hand.  Is it possible that it is RSI, I of course use my other hand too when typing but that arm is not bothered.  It is not red or sore on the joints, either. I have sore hip on the same side and 1 year prior Ortho said it was Bursitis after Spinal x-ray.  Had prior Mri of Lower Lumbar--Nothing significant.  Can bursitis be accurately diagnosed--or is it just because they can't see anything else.  Thank you

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear J:

Sorry to hear about the soreness in your right shoulder.  Certainly, your muscle pain might be due to sleeping position.  You might try changing positions and seeing if this helps.  If it is related to repetitive use of the arm, then increase the frequency of the stretching and breaks at work and see if this helps.  I doubt if you have neurogenic amyotrophy as the pain in this syndrome is usually very, very bad and our patients tell us it is worse than childbirth (the females of course).  You might want to get an MRI of the C-spine and see if your have foramen outlet problems (the exit site for the nerve).  If the problem were bursitis, rest and NSAIDs would have relieved the pain, and it doesn't sound like you have had much relief.  Sorry, I am not much help.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[tee13]

A related discussion, Arm ache was started.