Diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome 6 years ago...but now the symptoms are spreading, and not just to my other shoulder

[rabidmiacid]

  I'm 24 and I've had chronic R shoulder pain for over 6 years, and now I am having similar pain and symptoms in other major joints; mainly my L shoulder and L hip.  
  The initial pain came about after a pretty minor MVC.  I had merged and was still looking to the side when it happened, so my head was knocked to the left and my R arm was pushed back by the airbag.  Aside from some bruising, I thought I was fine.  I also happened to work at a pizza joint at the time, so I used that arm alot.  What started as mild shoulder pain I was ignoring turned into pain so bad I could not turn my head and my hand began to go numb.  The MRI showed some fluid in the joint, but no tear.  The EMG was normal.  The final result was a hesitant diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.   Since the MRI was normal, the only thing to be done was PT and take painkillers (NSAIDS at time).  I thought that was the end of it.
My R shoulder still makes a horrific popping sound when I move it.  It still hurts.  My hand still sometimes turns dusky and starts to tingle.
  More alarmingly, my uninjured, totally fine until recently, L shoulder has begun to grind, ache, and that hand has begun to tingle on and off.  Another set of MRIs shows both shoulders completely normal - except for the sound, the pain, and the hand issues of course.  TOS diagnosis stayed, and Myofascial Pain Syndrome got tacked on as well.  My left hip is now also hurting, and my foot falls asleep frequently. Other very strange things have happened in this last year with my health as well, and it's just getting annoying and worrisome.  
  The pain is deep and aching with sharp flareups.  It waxes and wanes, but is always present to some degree.  It is usually only my thumb or the 4th and 5th fingers that go tingly or numb, and it is usually only the outside of my L leg and foot that start to tingle.  
  I've been checked for RA.  Is there something else that could be causing all this that I am missing?  Should I be looking at my neck/t-spine instead?  I'm running out of ideas and could use any suggestion at this point.  I don't even mind the pain anymore - I just want to know what's happening to me.  I'm sorry this was so long, I'm just very frustrated.

[rabidmiacid]

Figured I would give an update. I finally got a referral to a pain and spine clinic, where they did an MRI of my neck.  At c6-7, c3-4, and maybe c7-t1, I have minimal uncovertebral joint hypertrophy with minimal neuroforaminal narrowing (on right in all sites).  I also have a few sites of posterior osteophyte disc complexes with c5-6 subluxation.  Jury is still out on if these 'minimal' areas are enough to be causing the pain, but it is a start.
They are also looking at brachial-plexus injury, and cervical radiculopathy (above may be cause of that)
There is still no known cause for the popping and grinding of the joint itself.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

It would be difficult to comment specifically on the situation without a detailed clinical evaluation. Shoulder pain could be related to spinal issues or local issues in the shoulder such as capsulitis, bursitis, tendonitis, injuries/ tears, joint subluxation/ dislocation, arthritis, periostitis, muscle/ ligament/ tendon tears/ injuries, fractures, growths/ masses, ischemia etc. Associated tingling sensation and hand turning dusky would point towards a neuro-vascular issue such as in thoracic outlet syndrome, while the pressure/ obstruction could occur at any level from the spine to the hand. Similar type of hip pain could be related to spinal issues or local issues around the hip joint. The best I can suggest at this time is to consider a review with an orthopedician, preferably at a university or teaching hospital. If a secondary cause is diagnosed, it can be managed accordingly.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!