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Post C6-C7 Fusion and Post repair of Labrum and Bicep Tear

Hello, I am a 36 year female.  4-2001 underwent c6-c7 fusion.  
3-2002 underwent shoulder surgery repairing a Labrum and Bicep Tear.  I am experiencing alot of shoulder pain on my left shoulder still.  I seem to have muscle spasms constantly in the back of my shoulder.  Any physical activitly makes everything worse.  I did have another MRI a month ago which revealed a bulging disc at c5-c6.  I will be having a EMG in about a week, which will hopefully tell us something.  Prior to the surgeries I was in a MVA which I sustained a Basial Skull Fracture, Concussion, and major soft tissue damage as indicated above.    I am at my wits end with this all.  It is dictating my life. I have cut out alot of physical activity or just daily chores, to avoid a week of discomfort afterwards.   I do have a long neck and I have lost the natural curve in my neck.  Both of my thumbs go numb on occasion as well as my 4 and 5 fingers on my right hand.  My Ortho Doc is blaming part of this on the fact that I am thin (112 pounds).  Which I believe is just saying he doesn't know.  He states that I definitely still have a shoulder problem, but I don't know what it is.   He states that he doesn't think it is Neurolgical, however, my Neuro Doc states that my symptoms definitely follow the C5-C6 nerve root.  Any ideas of what else it could all be?  What about a Brachial Plexus Injury?  I also have cracking/popping in the sterum area which no one seems to know why.  It feels like it all goes together.  I know communication is key here.  Does anything ring a bell for you?   Thanks for your comments.
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Avatar universal
Wow, this is exactly the same position I am in.  I had the exact same fusion 7/30/2000.  I get numbness and tingling in my left leg and arm, I'm constantly at the doctors.  I haven't been able to work, the pain from standing for more then a 15 minute stretch is unbearable.  The majority of my day is spent lying flat on my back (what a life, I am also 36 yrs(male). I've been turned down by Social Security 2 times and I just don't understand how they can deny this, since no-one can fix this unbearable pain and misery.  Please email me if anyone can provide some help or info. Thanks
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Avatar universal
Sounds like the prior shoulder injury is still giving you some problems. It is possible that the disc bulge at C5-6 may be contributing to your symptoms depending on the degree of nerve compression, but keep in mind that if the problem mainly stems from the prior injury to your shoulder - disc surgery will not help the symptoms of pain. The EMG is a good start to help your docs figure out if there is significant nerve compression at those levels. But it;s possible you may need a second orthopedic opinion regarding your shoulder, especially if your current doc is not sure what's going on there.

As for the possibility of a Brachial plexus injury, that would result in significant weakness in your arm muscles that your neurologist should have picked up on exam and can be seen on EMG. Numbness along the thumb can go along with a C6 problem, but the 4th and 5th digits (ring and pinky) are innervated by nerves lower down in the C8 T1 region. Your symptoms have a number of possible causes. The trick now is to figure which one or if all are contributing to your symptoms, and what can be done about it. Consider going for a second orthopedic opinion after the EMG. You may need further imaging of the shoulder with MRI to see if there's any active issues there. Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Update since post.  I saw a shoulder specialist in downtown Chicago today (10-30).   He believes that my shoulder problems are stemming from the neck.  I feel like I am stuck in this viscious cycle.  I keep going back and forth from the shoulder doctor to the neck doctor and both telling me it is the opposite problem. I need to know how I can get someone to figure out the exact source.   I truly believe it is a nerve issue and that is why I am constantly in muscle spasms.  I have read about nerve compression and the fact that I have a long neck could be another factor.   My other fear is the fact that isn't it very hard to find if there is a break in the nerve conduction?  If nothing else could you recommend a Doctor to me that would be familar with these types of symptoms.  

I did notice a typo in my first post with regards to the skull fracture.   It was a Basilar Skull Fracture.  (not Basial)

Again, thank you for your comments.  
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