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left shoulder/shoulder blade pain
about 1 year ago, i started experiencing pain that started beside/behind left shoulder blade. arthrogram showed tear in the supraspinitis tendon in upper left shoulder. a surgeon told me it was not worth repairing and to try physical therapy. it only made the pain worse. i have since developed pain in entire left side, including the shoulder (which produces a "popping" or grinding sound when rotated), extreme pain (burning sensation) on the inside of left shoulder blade about halfway down, muscle spasms in neck and collarbone and increasingly bad headaches. spinal mri's all show mild degenerative disc disease but nothing significant enough for this to be spine related. myelogram and bone scan both came back normal. i have tried every kind of anti-inflammatory known with no relief. pain meds help relieve severe pain but i know it is only masking the problem. i have questioned doctors if this is related to rotator cuff disease, brought on by the torn supraspinitis tendon going unrepaired, but they look at me like i'm crazy or something. it is possible that i have developed more tears in rotator cuff. please note that there was no known injury to the shoulder, but has gotten increasingly worse over time. PLEASE HELP!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You have had a pretty comprehensive evaluation, including bone scans, MRIs and myelograms. With the MRI scans it would be unlikely that more tears on the rotator cuff would be missed.
When it comes to chronic pain, there are a couple of options. The first would be to obtain several opinions - i.e. from other orthopedic surgeon - to ensure that there is indeed no surgical options.
If that has been done, I would consider a referral to a pain management specialist. If anti-inflammatories don't help, I would consider other modalities (i.e. other classes of pain medications) that can help manage the discomfort.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
When it comes to chronic pain, there are a couple of options. The first would be to obtain several opinions - i.e. from other orthopedic surgeon - to ensure that there is indeed no surgical options.
If that has been done, I would consider a referral to a pain management specialist. If anti-inflammatories don't help, I would consider other modalities (i.e. other classes of pain medications) that can help manage the discomfort.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
A related discussion, Finally, Shoulder blade pain relief! was started.
Has anyone tried my fix? It is the only thing that works for me. In a nutshell, find the center of the pain in your shoulder blade. If you have my problem, it will be lump/ball/knot that is causing the pain. Have someone very strong press on the lump as hard as they can with their nuckle. Have them chase the ball around while pressing and don't stop. Even if you think you absolutely can't handle the pain any longer. Wait a little longer. The longer you wait, the less likely you will have to go through this again anytime soon.
After the pain is gone, keep good posture especially at your computer at work, don't tilt your head down for a long length of time i.e. reading a book, try to not get very stressed out about things, and cut down on coffee if you drink it.
Disclaimer: Consult a doctor before doing any of the items mentioned above.
Bob
After the pain is gone, keep good posture especially at your computer at work, don't tilt your head down for a long length of time i.e. reading a book, try to not get very stressed out about things, and cut down on coffee if you drink it.
Disclaimer: Consult a doctor before doing any of the items mentioned above.
Bob
I've been feeling the same pain for about 4-5 years now. It starts in my neck/ear area and runs down to my right shoulder blade area. I feel a constant burning sensation deep inside my shoulder blade area. I've gotten a cortisone shot that didn't do a thing. I also got x-rays, etc that show no problems. Doctors have no idea what the problem is. It is so frustrating!! There is obviously something wrong in there. I'm 30 and in good physical shape. I just can't imagine having to live with this for the rest of my life. I hope we all find a cure soon.
Things that make me feel better.
1. Sleeping on a towel that is rolled up and placed under my neck.
2. Sleeping with my right arm over my head. (like I'm raising my hand)
3. Keeping your posture upright really helps! Especially when sitting at a computer.
Things that make me feel better.
1. Sleeping on a towel that is rolled up and placed under my neck.
2. Sleeping with my right arm over my head. (like I'm raising my hand)
3. Keeping your posture upright really helps! Especially when sitting at a computer.
this is terri456 again. just wanted to add that i also get pain in left forearm and it feels as if i have developed tendonitis in my left elbow. had emg done about a month ago, and it came back normal too. these doctors make me feel like i'm crazy!
A related discussion, left shoulder and neck pain was started.
A related discussion, Constant shoulder blade pain was started.
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A related discussion, left shoulder/shoulder blade pain was started.
hi i havehad a problem with pain in left shoulder neck and left ear. I started getting the pain 2 years ago, after i lifted some heavy rocks while i was gardening. I was in that much pain i then started suffering panic attacks. When i went to the hospital they said it was tension, they asked about my life , i was under alot of stress at the time. I had lots of cat scans ect all it showed was that my neck was straight instead of curved, they put me on valiam and anti infam med. nothing helped.But then my hubby and i broke up and it got even worse. as time went on it all started to ease. It is now 2 yrs later me and hubby r doing great we have had a knew baby, but i now have started getting pain back. I just wanted everyone to know that i to cannot remember what it was like to feel good. i cannot do anything i used to do and it makes my life a missery. The only thing is i do beleive it is stress related and i have found that an intense relaxation massage helps. i also now have to deel with panic attacks on top of the rest. the only thing to do is ignore it. and really take notice of the times that it is at its worst.
me again actually the valiam did help a bit.The reason they put me on it was to ease muscel tension through the night. But because it used to make me anxiouse i stopped taking it. Also when i get all the pain i feel very dissy. My neck front and sides feels like it is going to explode. While i am feeding my baby i often just sit there and cry. I try not to sook to hubby i think he gets sick of me
hai,everyone,hopes fits and sounds then,I thinks everyone needs the golden touch of *Florence Nightiangle* WELL,YESTERDAY BEING CONSULTED AT GH, THE PHYSICIAN wanted to give an injection to release tightness of my shoulder,I refused as I have several injections before,he also proclaimed that having steroid injections frenquently will have side effects on body hormone, I was prescribed with T.Neurobion,Vltoren,Gelusil and physiotheraphy-follow up..bye now
Hi, I just posted something similar a little while ago on in the Health/Fitness section.
This occured several (10) months ago. I had been lifting weights at the gym for about 5 weeks, was on a bodybuilders cutting diet 6 days a week, and had lost about 20lbs...I felt great.
I was doing seated cable rows and felt a pain in the right shoulder blade area, mostly when I would contract them during the lift. It was a stinging/slight shooting pain. I thought I just over did it and needed to give it a week of rest. When I awoke the next morning my right shoulder felt stiff and sore. I thought I just slept in a weird position. Pain continued almost every morning in the right shoulder area and I stopped going to the gym. I don't have health insurance so I didn't see a Doc.
Then my shoulder started "popping". Getting out of my car, off the sofa, most movements where Im pressing myself up. I could also rotate my arm and feel the pop. I finally went to the hospital clinic where the PA had me move my arm around for a few minutes(didn't feel pain)and asked if I had insurance because I probably need to see a phys. therapist, then gave me a $150 bill...Geez I wished I lived in Canada sometimes!
Since then I've noticed the shoulder appears to be lower than the other and looks out of place...more foward than the other. The "pops" are audible a lot of the time now. It feels like I need to pop/rotate it several times a day. I went to the gym a while back and pretty much ALL chest movements like the bench press, flys, dumbell presses, etc. and medium and closer grip upright rows make it feel as if the shoulder will dislocate. When I wake up in the morning there is always some pain, and if I turned on that side during the night it really hurts...burning sensations.
I searched for several hours last night online and the info at exrx.net points to "protracted shoulder girdle." It lists examples of affected exercises and they're the exact ones I cannot perform. If thats correct, what treatment options are there? I was denied a low-cost state health plan. Am I assuming correctly if I go to a hospital it would be pointless? And that I'm going to have to spend a bunch of money for a health plan and LIE about this injury to get on the health insurance plan? Or is that 5-minutes I spent with the PA going to show up and the health insurance company will know about it anyway? Do health insurance companies make you get a physical exam before they approve you? I'm a 22/male if that matters.
Any advise would be appreciated and good luck to everyone else.
This occured several (10) months ago. I had been lifting weights at the gym for about 5 weeks, was on a bodybuilders cutting diet 6 days a week, and had lost about 20lbs...I felt great.
I was doing seated cable rows and felt a pain in the right shoulder blade area, mostly when I would contract them during the lift. It was a stinging/slight shooting pain. I thought I just over did it and needed to give it a week of rest. When I awoke the next morning my right shoulder felt stiff and sore. I thought I just slept in a weird position. Pain continued almost every morning in the right shoulder area and I stopped going to the gym. I don't have health insurance so I didn't see a Doc.
Then my shoulder started "popping". Getting out of my car, off the sofa, most movements where Im pressing myself up. I could also rotate my arm and feel the pop. I finally went to the hospital clinic where the PA had me move my arm around for a few minutes(didn't feel pain)and asked if I had insurance because I probably need to see a phys. therapist, then gave me a $150 bill...Geez I wished I lived in Canada sometimes!
Since then I've noticed the shoulder appears to be lower than the other and looks out of place...more foward than the other. The "pops" are audible a lot of the time now. It feels like I need to pop/rotate it several times a day. I went to the gym a while back and pretty much ALL chest movements like the bench press, flys, dumbell presses, etc. and medium and closer grip upright rows make it feel as if the shoulder will dislocate. When I wake up in the morning there is always some pain, and if I turned on that side during the night it really hurts...burning sensations.
I searched for several hours last night online and the info at exrx.net points to "protracted shoulder girdle." It lists examples of affected exercises and they're the exact ones I cannot perform. If thats correct, what treatment options are there? I was denied a low-cost state health plan. Am I assuming correctly if I go to a hospital it would be pointless? And that I'm going to have to spend a bunch of money for a health plan and LIE about this injury to get on the health insurance plan? Or is that 5-minutes I spent with the PA going to show up and the health insurance company will know about it anyway? Do health insurance companies make you get a physical exam before they approve you? I'm a 22/male if that matters.
Any advise would be appreciated and good luck to everyone else.
I have had pain in the left shoulder for over a year now, Sometimes it seems to start as a burning sensation then it goes away. Get a burning sensation on left side of neck along with muscle spasms. I was told for a year it was arthritis. I have gone to another orthopedic Dr. who thinks it may be vascular outlet syndrome because he found that along with everything else when I raise my left arm above my head I lose the pulse. I am scheduled to see a vascular dr who will be using a doppler to check blood flow of upper extremities too. I have been for X-rays, Mri's and everything looked fine anti inflammatorys don't do much for me either. Hopefully I'll find something out with the next DR.
I can't believe there are so many people suffering with similar symptoms. I have had neck and shoulder pain for quite a while now and have seen many specialists and I am unsure as to how to proceed. About two and a half years ago I began to have pain in my left shoulder. It would come and go and wasn't too debilitating so I didn't have it treated. After about six months of the pain, I started to develop neck pain that would go up to the back of my head, around the base of the skull. After a month of that pain, I saw a doctor, who sent me for x-rays of my neck. They found nothing (except I was told I had a very straight neck). Then I was sent for an MRI - again they found nothing. I was sent for physical therapy, which did not help. Next I was referred to an orthopedic doctor. He gave me more x-rays (bending) and could not find anything. He told me he could not do anything for me, but I asked him if he could give me an injection in my shoulder because that helped me about 13 years ago when I had a shoulder problem. He gave me the injection in a trigger point and miraculously the pain in my shoulder AND neck disappeared for about 4 or 5 months. When it came back I thought I could get another injection, however, the second time it didn't help. I asked the doctor to MRI my shoulder since the relief of pain from the injection indicated that my shoulder might be the culprit of the neck pain. Instead he sent me to a rheumatologist to check for fibromyalgia. The rheumatologist said that it didn't seem that I had the symptoms of fibromyalgia. He then sent me to a neurologist to check for nerve compression/damage. The neurologist gave me a test and said I had no nerve damage. I went back to my family doctor who sent me for an MRI of my shoulder. They found something and I thought I finally found an answer. But it is not so cut and dried. I may have a tear in my labrum. However the orthopedist (the second one) said there are a lot of false positives on the test. This means that I may not have the tear to begin with. Also, this doctor claims that it is unlikely that the tear would cause my neck problems. As a layperson, it seems to make sense that pain could be referred from shoulder to neck, but the doctor tells me this is not likely. So my question is this: How likely is it that the torn labrum would cause neck pain and how often do false positives occur? I'm debating on whether to have surgery, but since my biggest concern is with neck pain,
I don't want to go through the trouble and expense of surgery, if it probably won't help the neck pain.
Thanks for listening
I don't want to go through the trouble and expense of surgery, if it probably won't help the neck pain.
Thanks for listening
I have had an injury at work and it caused my c5 and c6 to bulge. My doctor, which is a comp doctor told me that i shouldn't worry, because this wasn't anything big. As time has gone by, the pain in my neck leading to my shoulder has moved to the muscle that runs along my shoulder blade. I have therapy, and this causes a lot of spasms. I have been out of work for 5 months, and the pain hasn't gotten better. I had an emg and it came back normal. In therapy i had elctical stim and ultra sound wand. I also use the heating pad as my best friend. Motrin and flexrile doesn't do the job of eleviating the pain. The doctors look at me as if i am lieing or something, but the pain is real. Does anyone has this problem?
i am so relieved to find others with my same problem. i have been reading so of the comments and would like to share my smyptoms. i have had PT, cranio sacral and massage therapy, ultra sound, corizone injections, epideral injections, i have had MRI and they are normal, cat scan which are normal and a nerve test that also came back normal. My left shouldar will swell when inflammed. my pain has never crossed over to the right side of my spine and/or shouldar. I would like someone to comment on this please....when i have severe pain in my shouldar(burning itching tightness) i will try to stretch it out and it is incrediably painful to stretch my head to my chest but then it is extremly painful to come out of my stretch. it feels almost resticted. my shouldar is also numb, i can pop it dig my nails in and i dont feel anything. please comment i just got an appointment to see a othropedic surgen and would like to get an idea about the fact that my shouldar feels stuck. thank you
It sounds as though lots of people have the same problems. I was diagnosed with oteoarthritis and have been refered to specialist. I have the same poping and grinding noises as others in shoulder joints along with catching my rotator on something. About 8 yrs ago I fell on the side of a hill when doing yard work and landed on my hands. I began to have pain in my left shoulder. PT and anti inflamatory wasn't enough. I finally couldn't work because of pain(I am a nurse. I had an MRI which showed a rotator cuff tendonitis causing scar tissue and a frozen shoulder. I had closed should manipulation to remove scar tissue and within short period of time was better and back to work. Now my problem is in both shoulders R worse than L and xrays show bone spurs impinging rotator cuff. PT hurt and anti inflamatory Celebrex helps but doesn't get rid of the pain after work. I will be scheduled for surgery later this month to remove spur either by scope or open incision and hopefully this will take are of problem. Hope this gives a few answers to some questions others my have.
HALLO EVERYONE: I HAVE ULTRASOUND MASSAGE AND PHYSIOTHERAPHY RECENTLY,ITS DISSOLVES THE PAINS FOR SOMETIMES NOW,ITS HELP A LITTLE,BUT MUCH BETTER THAN PAIN KILLER OR INJECTIONS,..BYE
Hi I'm 35 years old. I have Buritis in my left shoulder and I was told by the doctor I also have Bursitis in my right leg.
I have had the pain for 5 months now, and is unberable, I cannot sleep well and I'm so tired all the time.
Now I'm having the same type of pain in my right shoulder and left leg, so now I have pain in both my shoulders and both my legs!!!!
From what I have been reading most people get bursitis in one area of the body, since I have it in 4 parts of my body I'm really concerned. Please anybody give an answer. The pain is terrible.
Thank you.
I have had the pain for 5 months now, and is unberable, I cannot sleep well and I'm so tired all the time.
Now I'm having the same type of pain in my right shoulder and left leg, so now I have pain in both my shoulders and both my legs!!!!
From what I have been reading most people get bursitis in one area of the body, since I have it in 4 parts of my body I'm really concerned. Please anybody give an answer. The pain is terrible.
Thank you.
OK ......I have this pain ...started in July .....on my back shoulder blade Leftside....seems to have originated in the proximaty of a tattoo I have had there for 8 years with no problem ....Sometimes it is a tingle sometimes an itch ....often a sun burning sensation....sometimes it feels as though Iv been stabbed....it is very localized, always in the same spot.....I have made a appt with a derm. as I think it is a skin thing ......anyone have any ideas??????
I forgot to mention that my PT finds issues with my ribs almost every visit. I feel them popping around at times and then notice the back pain starts up again. He adjust them and it gets better for awhile until it pops out again. I've worked on strengthening them but that doesnt seem to help for long.
Anyone else have rib issues?
Anyone else have rib issues?
I went to the orthosurgeon. I am scheduled for surgery at the end of the month. He gave me a shot of lidocaine and left me alone for about 10 min's to see what it would do. It did relieve pain and a headache, so that showed that I do have arthritis in the AC joint as shown on the MRI. He is not certain how bad my tear is in the rotator cuff until he gets inside. As nervous as I am about all of this, I have great confidence in this doctor and am believing that this will be the answer to my prayers.
Angela--So sorry to hear of your problems:(. No, I don't have rib problems but do have shoulder/bicep/trapezius/neck.etc. Good luck.
Angela--So sorry to hear of your problems:(. No, I don't have rib problems but do have shoulder/bicep/trapezius/neck.etc. Good luck.
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