In May of 2012, I injured what I thought was just my shoulder while turning a 250lb quad with very minimal help. I felt odd sensations that seemed to originate from the shoulder, both anteriorly and posteriorly. It felt as if threads were snapping. It wasn't painful at first, just a little sore. I continued to work with the shoulder throughout the shift and by end of shift, I had an intense burning sensation in my axilla. I went to the company clinic--X-rays were neg and I was given naproxen and and an ice pack. Went back the next day and complained of some relief, but felt tightness in my hand. I continued treatment with NSAIDs and subsequently 6 PT sessions. The intense, burning pain in axilla persisted and I was referred to ortho. MRI (no dye) was done, which indicated a possible labral tear. Was given a steroid inj in the shoulder, felt about 12 hrs of relief of the deep axillary pain. After the 12 hours, I began feeling a very sharp, stabbing pain in the lower neck area. Went back to the clinic and saw a different doctor who advised me to get tx for the neck.
I had arthroscopic decompression and labral and biceps debridement on 10/29/12. Followed by 12 sessions of PT. Surgical pain came and went, but the deep axillary pain continues. My elbow also feels the same burning ache, almost as if I'm being electrocuted. Sensation travels down to my thumb and middle finger, especially coinciding with intense pain in my neck and axilla. Certain motions of my wrist also illicit a weird sensation in the middle of my palm which travels to my thumb, index, and middle fingertips. My whole left arm feels heavy and by end of day, I have such tight pain in my neck and scapula region. On my worst days, I have headaches and tightness in the upper neck. Sometimes even pressure behind my left eye. I'm clumsy with my left hand, as well. My upper arm spasms quite often, usually on the lateral side. I also have severe itching in the same spot on the lower part of my scapula. My grip strength is significantly less than my right.
This is obviously a work comp situation, so diagnosing me is taking longer than what is ideal. I have just recently been awarded a c-spine MRI and nerve studies (which were ordered in January of 2013). I was referred to a neurologist, but that remains to be authorized. I'm just worried that if this is some type of nerve injury, too much time may have passed for optimal recovery. What type of nerve injury does this seem like? My ortho thinks it's carpal tunnel. I'm just not quite convinced because of the origin of pain. Although my hand does hurt (throbbing pain), it doesn't compare to the pain in the axilla and elbow. Sorry for the lengthy post. It's been too long to not even really have an idea of what's going. Oh, and mammogram was also negative.
Thanks in advance