shoulder pain after neck fusion HELP

Question

I am 39 yr old female. Had neck fusion at c-5 c-6 this year. I went into neck surgery and when I woke up had awful shoulder pain. After 6 weeks my neck doctor sent me to a shoulder doctor who told me I suddenly had a torn shoulder and he did shoulder surgery on my right arm. I NOW have awful pain in both shoulders........ I can not seem to understand why???? I need to know what test need to be ran to find answers. I don't sleep well and stay in awful pain. I am in physical therapy for my shoulder however, this is killing me. I can't understand what is going on I did not have this pain before the fusion with plate. NOW I have pain every minute in top of shoulders and biceps. What do I need to do to locate the problem???? My pain is getting worse daily.

cinny101 · Answer

I'VE GONE THROUGH THE SAME SITUATION.......AFTER MY FIRST C5-C6 REPALCED,I 'VE HAD LEFT SHOULDER PAIN.MRI SHOWED A TEAR.MY NEW DR TOLD ME I NEEDED ANOTHER C6-C7 WORKED ON .ALSO,HAD BONE SPURS REMOVED ,THIS HAS BEEN HIS EXPLANATION ABOUT THE SHOULDER PAIN.I'M 2 WEEKS POST SURG AND STILL HAVING L SHOULDER PAIN.I'M BEGINNING TO THINK THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR POST NECK SURG PTS.I BELIEVE THAT THE DOCTORS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.

Cheryl727 · Answer

The same thing happened to me - c5/6 fusion and the nsg told me I woke up in OR crying about my shoulder!!!   I then went to an ortho and he did shoulder surgery-  took a bone spur out and NOTHING has changed - - pain pain pain!!!!  WHY don't these docs tell us about this shoulder blade burning - I am doing some research on a particular group of muscles/nerves that have to be moved when they go in from the front of your neck.

Wendy587 · Answer

I think I messed up by letting them go stright from neck surgery to shoulder surgery.......I HAD NO shoulder problems prior to neck surgery..........How would I have a sudden torn shoulder? If I did how do I have both torn now?

Cat50 · Answer

Last Oct.07 I had to have a 3 level neck fusion. I was in surgery for 9 hours. When I woke up it was to pain in my left shoulder. 
They tape your shoulders down to do neck surgery. I had to have physical therapy for a couple of months afterwards and the pain never completely goes away. But, therapy does keep the pain down overall. 
You might try a Chiropractor, they are sometimes better than physical Therapist.
Cat50