Shoulder pinched nerve?

I've been having occasional shooting pain emanating from my shoulder and down slightly into my upper arm.  It lasts for between 10 seconds and a minute (sometimes a few times per hour).

I work on the computer a lot for my work, so it might be repetitive stress related.  I already wear a brace for carpal tunnel.  I think it might have soemthing to do with the way I sit in the chair.

In any event, does this seem to fit with my symptoms?  I/e is it a pinched nerve most likely?

Are their ways to get relief from this?  Surgery or otherwise?  I'll presume it best if I consult a neurologist directly.

Thanks in advance!
Paul ---

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet unfortunately and my opinion cannot substitute for a formal medical opinion

While your symptoms may be more likely to be due to muscle or tendon strain, a pinched nerve in the meck at the C5 root level can cause pain that radiated in to the shoulder or upper back. If more severe it ca also cause muscle wasting and weakness of lifting your arm from your side.

This can be evaluated by the neurological exmination. If there is pain only and signs of musckulosketeal injury, you may not need any furhter neurological testing. If there is suspicion for a pinched nerve, an MRI of the cervical spine or an EMG needle study can diagnose this. Surgery is usually reserved for progressive neurological disability or intractable pain, conservative treatment such as rest! is usually reccomended.

Good luck

[mike1105]

been through this. people think nerves can get pincehed only in the spine. they think about things like discs, stenosis, bone spurs and other things that everyone has on their MRIs... nerves can get pinched perhaps even more easily in tight muscles. this sounds like your case, or at least I woud try to correct things with this assumption first. the fact that pain does not last supports a muscle related nerve entrapment. the fix is muscle release---- 5-10 minutes of applied pressure with a tennis ball or softball--- hold it that long against a wall or lay on it. combine this with frequent extended (5-10 minutes again) stretching of the involved muscle(s) and you'll notice results in a few days. do it 2-3 times daily. remember holding it 5-10 minutes ... that's the key.  good luck

[markbos]

Hi Paul,

A pinched nerve does not seem the most likely explanation based on your informtaion, but is possible.  If a nerve is pinched in the neck, the pain typically radiates past the elbow and is usually accompanied by hand/arm tingling and/or weakness in a specific muscles of the arm or hand which correspond to the spinal nerves being compressed or pinched.  It is less likely that a peripheral nerve in the area of the shoulder is being compressed.

It sounds like you may be having some type of shoulder problem, especially if you do not have any neck pain.  

The only way to sort out these possibilities is to have a thorough examination including, but not limited to your neck, shoulder and a thorough neurological exam.  A primary care physician/internist, chiropractor or neurologist should all be able to sort out these diagnostic possibilities.  In some circumstances, advanced imaging such as a MRI or electrodiagnostic may ne needed to get a specific diagnosis.

The treatment will be determined by the diagnosis.  Depending on the diagnosis, conservative treatment by a chiropractor or physical therapist may be beneficial for your condition.  Surgery is always a last resort since this is the most invasive and radical type of treatment.

[violaa]

i need to know if anyone can help me i start hurting in my upper shoulder it goes to my neck and around to the upper part of my chest i get this knot on my upper chest and it hurts bad.it goes to my arms makesthem dumb and tingaly the pain hurts bad it started about 6 months ago it comes and goes any help plz thank you

[jjj111]

A related discussion, itch, burn  on my arms was started.