external shoulder and pain

[suchita]

I've been having alot of neck, left shoulder and behind my left ear pain.  Its not regular.if i take rest it goes away but when i lift my 10 months old baby(8 kg) for even 20 min in my left arm its comes out.if i do some light physical work(in kitchen or home) it increases it spreads in my back and goes up behind the ear.when i come to office i get rest, pain decreases.i am software engg. by profession.Sometimes   I have severe pain that travels down my left arm and behind ear ,so bad I can't even use my arm or move my head when I first get out of bed in the mornings.  Thankyou, suchita

[suchita]

Hi,
I have pain on my left shoulder, I can rotate my neck easily but can not lift my left shoulder and arm up easily, I don't have any pain in my spinal cord, and back of the neck.
Regards,
suchita

[DrKalraMD]

Hi, probably it is cervical spondylosis. “Cervical spondylosis results from chronic degeneration of the cervical spine including the cushions between the neck vertebrae (cervical disks) and joints between the bones of the cervical spine. There may be abnormal growths or "spurs" on the vertebrae (the bones of the spine).
These accumulated changes caused by degeneration can gradually compress one or more of the nerve roots. This can lead to increasing pain in the neck and arm, weakness, and changes in sensation. In advanced cases, the spinal cord becomes involved. This can affect not just the arms, but the legs as well”. Taken from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000436.htm

Investigations like MRI spine are done to rule out. Treatment involves physiotherapy, hot compressions, pain killers, cervical collar, and surgery in case of uncontrollable pain.