Re: Pain

Posted By CCF MD GS on August 24, 1998 at 15:50:26:

In Reply to: Pain posted by JB on August 23, 1998 at 19:14:52:






I had a minor fall in April of '97.  After about 3 weeks I noticed some pain and weakness of my left arm, specifically my left biceps.  I saw the Ortho who dx tramatic bursitis, shot it with steroids and sent me home.  When that didn't work, an Xray was taken which was neg for fx, but did show type 2 shoulder.  After several more injections, an MRI was performed which was basically neg.  I tried some chiropractic tx, acupuncture, TENS, massage therapy and the pain got worse and my neck was starting to bother me.  My Ortho decided I had a SLAP lesion of the Left biceps but wanted a Cervical MRI beforehand.  Results bulging disks at c4-c5, and c6-c7, with a herniation at c5-c6.  Spinal institute stated "too small to cause you any trouble.  Your problem is in your arm."  Was sent to sports med specialist for arthropscopy to fix SLAP lesion.  Result:  no SLAP lesion found,  noted impingement left acromian.  Evacuated bursa and reshaped acromion.  Sent to Physical therapy-was recovering from surg but pain, weakness in arm and pain in neck getting worse. After 2 more steroid inj into left arm ( total at that time of 6) without result, I was sent to pain clinic.  They decided it had to do with overactive brachial nerves, placed on Neurontin-- bad reaction.  New ortho- dx- bursitis- shot # 7 into left arm.  Sent to Mayo in Jacksonville.  Ortho there says there's nothing wrong with your shoulder--I AGREE!!  He sends me to Rheumatologist because of possible dx of myofacial pain syn.  Rheum. had nothing to add, sent me to pain clinic MD.  He agreed myofacial pain syn.  with tx-- trigger point inj Q 2wks.  Sent me home.  Anespain MD at my hospital said "it sounds like a neck problem to me"  gave me a cervical epidural--- for the first time in over a year I had no pain in my left arm or neck.  Only problem inj don't last long.  Pain increasing in neck with increasing numbness and tingling in left hand.   Also, having occasional twitches in my legs?  Neck pain also is on right side. Seeing a neurosurgeon this week.  What do you think?



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Sounds to me like you have been through too much suffering regarding this problem. If the concern has been your brachial plexus or cervical radiculopathy then the best test to do would be an EMG or electromyography test. This can be very sensative for brachial plexus lesions and pinched nerve problems. Another condition called brachial neuritis can cause shoulder and arm symptoms. My recommendation would be to see a neurologist and have an EMG completed at a facility who does a high volume of EMG work. Good luck
This information is provided for general medical education purposes. Please consult your docotor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.