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A little Help Please
I apologize in advance with how long this will be. I am extremely confused and feel so alone and could really use some advice and help right now!
I was in a car accident over six weeks ago.
I was taken from the scene, via ambulance, to the hospital. They did an x-ray that came back negative and gave me some meds that made no sense for pain (Valium).
A week goes by and my symptoms worsen. Let me take a moment and explain them.
My neck hurts bad!. I get these headaches that start in my neck, travel to the back of my skull, then to my jaw, then to my temples, then it gets behind my eyes. If the pain is allowed to get to this point, I am nothing but a whining, worthless piece of meat. I am completely pointless to be around because I cannot function!
My neck also gets a "pins and needles" feeling in it all of the time.
My left trapezium gives me a "tearing and ripping feeling" every time I do something like reach to put my socks on or tie my shoes.
I also have pain in my left shoulder itself. It is a dull, achy pain, but sometimes it wakes me up at night time as a sharp but dull pain. My left arm feels weak and unstable. I also get the pins and needles feeling in my left arm.
My left thumb hurts really bad whenever I try to open a bottle or turn a knob or grab something. You can wiggle it and press on it until the cows come home, but that does not reproduce any pain.
I get pins and needles in my left two last fingers.
X-rays of all three areas, neck, shoulder, thumb, all came up negative, with the exception that on the neck x-ray, something called the lordial curve was "extremely straightened".
I have been attending physical therapy for a month now.
The first two MRIs performed were of my neck and my shoulder.
Cervical spine MRI results:
1. reversal of normal lordotic curvature
2. C2-C3: minimal disc desiccation
3. C3-C4:small central disc protrusion resulting in effacement of the central anterior aspect of the thecal sac
4. C4-C5:minimal disc desiccation. Borderline narrowing of the right neural foramen and there is effacement of the anterior thecal sac.
5: C5-C6: mild disc desiccation. Mild disc bulge, more pronounced centrally
6. C6-C7: mild disc desiccation
7. Also, the MRI stated that I have something called cervicalgia radiculopathy
Left Shoulder MRI results:
1. High suspicion of a tear of the superior glenoid labrum.
2. Mild acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis
My doctor came in the room and spit out the jargon I typed above. I didn't understand any of it, but I asked him if I could please have something for the pain, because for weeks I was suffering with nothing but swallowing 800mg of Ibuprofen every four hours and never sleeping.
The doctor gave me Percocet 5/325 and referred me to an orthopedic specialist that specializes in the shoulder and hands. He said that I need to get that tear in my shoulder fixed and he said he wanted him to try to find out the mystery that is, my left thumb.....
I'm serious....three doctors and four physical therapists looked at my thumb.....no one can figure it out.
But I noticed that the doctor shrugged everything off like it was no big deal. Is all of that stuff that is wrong with my neck really just a bunch of words and not a real "condition"? Is it possible the doctor is just jaded?
So I go to see the orthopedic specialist that specializes in the shoulder and the hands. He couldn't figure out what was wrong with my thumb, so he ordered an MRI....
For the shoulder, the orthopedic specialist gave me a cortisone shot. I have no idea why. He told me this shot would provide "instant relief". Well, that was Monday. Guess what? I feel ZERO relief, and, in fact, my arm is weaker than ever! I don't see this doctor again for another ten days!!!! My arm feels extremely unstable and hurts like hell. I am seriously considering going to the ER at this very moment!. The Percocet does make it tolerable, but I can still feel the pain.
This orthopedic specialist referred me to another orthopedic specialist that specializes in neck problems. I couldn't get an appointment with him until the end of the month. So it'll be a while till I get some answers about my neck.
I saw my regular doctor today. He gave me the results of my thumb MRI. The pain that I have been feeling in my thumb made me certain that this MRI was going to show something major.....
Left Thumb MRI results:
1. Nothing abnormal
NOTHING!!!
NOTHING????!!!!!!!
I stared at my braced thumb (I keep it in a brace so I don't use it out of habit and hurt it. Because when I do aggravate it, it hurts like hell for hours!!) I stared at it and started to ask myself if I was crazy. How can one be in so much pain and there be no machine in the world to prove it? How do you prove that you are in pain?
I have extreme pain in my neck, shoulder and thumb. They have been giving me Percocet, so that keeps the headaches at bay and allows me to work (I haven't missed a single day yet)! But with test results such as the ones I have had, there is no telling when they will tell me that they see no reason to give me anymore when I run out. Then what?
No doctor will sit down and explain what any of this stuff means. They want to get in and out as soon as possible and I have no idea why they are taking some of the actions that they are taking. They are friendly and are always smiling, but in the end, five X-rays and three MRIs later, I STILL have no idea what the heck is wrong with me and why I feel so much pain?!
They do have me on the Percocet. Does that mean that they do understand that I am in pain?
After that thumb MRI result tonight, I feel hopeless. confused, lost and alone. Am I going to feel this pain in my trapezium every time I reach for something for the rest of my life? Will I never get this tear in my shoulder fixed? Will my thumb hurt for the rest of my natural life whenever I use it, and there is no cure for it because no test will show any sort of damage to it?
I need some help and advice if anyone can provide it please!
Thank you for your time!
I was in a car accident over six weeks ago.
I was taken from the scene, via ambulance, to the hospital. They did an x-ray that came back negative and gave me some meds that made no sense for pain (Valium).
A week goes by and my symptoms worsen. Let me take a moment and explain them.
My neck hurts bad!. I get these headaches that start in my neck, travel to the back of my skull, then to my jaw, then to my temples, then it gets behind my eyes. If the pain is allowed to get to this point, I am nothing but a whining, worthless piece of meat. I am completely pointless to be around because I cannot function!
My neck also gets a "pins and needles" feeling in it all of the time.
My left trapezium gives me a "tearing and ripping feeling" every time I do something like reach to put my socks on or tie my shoes.
I also have pain in my left shoulder itself. It is a dull, achy pain, but sometimes it wakes me up at night time as a sharp but dull pain. My left arm feels weak and unstable. I also get the pins and needles feeling in my left arm.
My left thumb hurts really bad whenever I try to open a bottle or turn a knob or grab something. You can wiggle it and press on it until the cows come home, but that does not reproduce any pain.
I get pins and needles in my left two last fingers.
X-rays of all three areas, neck, shoulder, thumb, all came up negative, with the exception that on the neck x-ray, something called the lordial curve was "extremely straightened".
I have been attending physical therapy for a month now.
The first two MRIs performed were of my neck and my shoulder.
Cervical spine MRI results:
1. reversal of normal lordotic curvature
2. C2-C3: minimal disc desiccation
3. C3-C4:small central disc protrusion resulting in effacement of the central anterior aspect of the thecal sac
4. C4-C5:minimal disc desiccation. Borderline narrowing of the right neural foramen and there is effacement of the anterior thecal sac.
5: C5-C6: mild disc desiccation. Mild disc bulge, more pronounced centrally
6. C6-C7: mild disc desiccation
7. Also, the MRI stated that I have something called cervicalgia radiculopathy
Left Shoulder MRI results:
1. High suspicion of a tear of the superior glenoid labrum.
2. Mild acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis
My doctor came in the room and spit out the jargon I typed above. I didn't understand any of it, but I asked him if I could please have something for the pain, because for weeks I was suffering with nothing but swallowing 800mg of Ibuprofen every four hours and never sleeping.
The doctor gave me Percocet 5/325 and referred me to an orthopedic specialist that specializes in the shoulder and hands. He said that I need to get that tear in my shoulder fixed and he said he wanted him to try to find out the mystery that is, my left thumb.....
I'm serious....three doctors and four physical therapists looked at my thumb.....no one can figure it out.
But I noticed that the doctor shrugged everything off like it was no big deal. Is all of that stuff that is wrong with my neck really just a bunch of words and not a real "condition"? Is it possible the doctor is just jaded?
So I go to see the orthopedic specialist that specializes in the shoulder and the hands. He couldn't figure out what was wrong with my thumb, so he ordered an MRI....
For the shoulder, the orthopedic specialist gave me a cortisone shot. I have no idea why. He told me this shot would provide "instant relief". Well, that was Monday. Guess what? I feel ZERO relief, and, in fact, my arm is weaker than ever! I don't see this doctor again for another ten days!!!! My arm feels extremely unstable and hurts like hell. I am seriously considering going to the ER at this very moment!. The Percocet does make it tolerable, but I can still feel the pain.
This orthopedic specialist referred me to another orthopedic specialist that specializes in neck problems. I couldn't get an appointment with him until the end of the month. So it'll be a while till I get some answers about my neck.
I saw my regular doctor today. He gave me the results of my thumb MRI. The pain that I have been feeling in my thumb made me certain that this MRI was going to show something major.....
Left Thumb MRI results:
1. Nothing abnormal
NOTHING!!!
NOTHING????!!!!!!!
I stared at my braced thumb (I keep it in a brace so I don't use it out of habit and hurt it. Because when I do aggravate it, it hurts like hell for hours!!) I stared at it and started to ask myself if I was crazy. How can one be in so much pain and there be no machine in the world to prove it? How do you prove that you are in pain?
I have extreme pain in my neck, shoulder and thumb. They have been giving me Percocet, so that keeps the headaches at bay and allows me to work (I haven't missed a single day yet)! But with test results such as the ones I have had, there is no telling when they will tell me that they see no reason to give me anymore when I run out. Then what?
No doctor will sit down and explain what any of this stuff means. They want to get in and out as soon as possible and I have no idea why they are taking some of the actions that they are taking. They are friendly and are always smiling, but in the end, five X-rays and three MRIs later, I STILL have no idea what the heck is wrong with me and why I feel so much pain?!
They do have me on the Percocet. Does that mean that they do understand that I am in pain?
After that thumb MRI result tonight, I feel hopeless. confused, lost and alone. Am I going to feel this pain in my trapezium every time I reach for something for the rest of my life? Will I never get this tear in my shoulder fixed? Will my thumb hurt for the rest of my natural life whenever I use it, and there is no cure for it because no test will show any sort of damage to it?
I need some help and advice if anyone can provide it please!
Thank you for your time!
Many pain docs know this, but surgeons are generally impressed by evidence. Fortunate is the pain patient who finds a practitioner who understands this fundamental concept of treating pain.
Again, the glenoid labrum attaches the scapula to the shoulder and has an anatomical relationship with the trapezius. There is also some evidence noted in the MRI report of a mild osteoarthritic condition of the acromioclavicular joint which also attaches the scapula to the shoulder, which predates your injury.
I imagine that you're feeling referred pain in the traps because of the proximity of these structures. The PT will help.
Also, pain doctors are now using compounded topical creams containing an NSAID, muscle relaxant, anesthetic like lidocaine, and nerve medication like gabapentin. I use one with 3% diclofenac, 2% baclofen, 2% cyclobenzaprine, 6% gabapentin, and 2% lidocaine that is often effective in lowering the referred muscle pain of severe cervical disc disease.
These creams are specially made in a compounding pharmacy, so are generally not covered by insurance and therefore expensive, but some vendors will send you a sample before you have to commit to a $100-$200 purchase.
Ask your doctor about acquiring one of these topicals -- it may help with your painful trapezius.
Finally, let me say that patients in pain are often anxious about a surgeon "getting in there and fixing" whatever is causing pain. The unfortunate fact is that surgery can exacerbate pain due to initial trauma and remaining scar tissue of the surgical procedure. A wise surgeon understands this fact and reserves surgical solutions for those situations that offer a high percentage of success.
Sometime surgery is necessary because the injury or disease threatens vital function. But the surgical option for the treatment of pain should be taken only after all other means of treatment have been exhausted, and even then, should be carefully considered.
Best wishes for a speedy and optimal solution to your painful shoulder and back.
Again, the glenoid labrum attaches the scapula to the shoulder and has an anatomical relationship with the trapezius. There is also some evidence noted in the MRI report of a mild osteoarthritic condition of the acromioclavicular joint which also attaches the scapula to the shoulder, which predates your injury.
I imagine that you're feeling referred pain in the traps because of the proximity of these structures. The PT will help.
Also, pain doctors are now using compounded topical creams containing an NSAID, muscle relaxant, anesthetic like lidocaine, and nerve medication like gabapentin. I use one with 3% diclofenac, 2% baclofen, 2% cyclobenzaprine, 6% gabapentin, and 2% lidocaine that is often effective in lowering the referred muscle pain of severe cervical disc disease.
These creams are specially made in a compounding pharmacy, so are generally not covered by insurance and therefore expensive, but some vendors will send you a sample before you have to commit to a $100-$200 purchase.
Ask your doctor about acquiring one of these topicals -- it may help with your painful trapezius.
Finally, let me say that patients in pain are often anxious about a surgeon "getting in there and fixing" whatever is causing pain. The unfortunate fact is that surgery can exacerbate pain due to initial trauma and remaining scar tissue of the surgical procedure. A wise surgeon understands this fact and reserves surgical solutions for those situations that offer a high percentage of success.
Sometime surgery is necessary because the injury or disease threatens vital function. But the surgical option for the treatment of pain should be taken only after all other means of treatment have been exhausted, and even then, should be carefully considered.
Best wishes for a speedy and optimal solution to your painful shoulder and back.
Again, thank you so much for your replies!
They haven't even run any tests on the trapeziums muscle, but there is definitely something weird going in there!
I don't want the medical people to know everything, I just want them to listen and understand that pain cannot be shown on an MRI.
They haven't even run any tests on the trapeziums muscle, but there is definitely something weird going in there!
I don't want the medical people to know everything, I just want them to listen and understand that pain cannot be shown on an MRI.
From the MRI report, it is the cartilaginous joint - the glenoid labrum - that is torn, and not your trapezius muscle. Still, I imagine it hurts. Percocet will help, but ice is a great pain reliever. Hot/warm soaks and compresses help to bring blood to the damaged area, and promote healing.
If you are getting PT, then you are farther along then I imagined. If your therapist is good, he/she will accelerate healing.
Only God knows how long healing will take. Medical people don't really know everything, although we sometimes pretend we do.
Best wishes.
If you are getting PT, then you are farther along then I imagined. If your therapist is good, he/she will accelerate healing.
Only God knows how long healing will take. Medical people don't really know everything, although we sometimes pretend we do.
Best wishes.
Oh. And why are they giving me cortisone shots when I have a tear in my shoulder?
Shouldnt they repair the tear?
Shouldnt they repair the tear?
Wow. All of that information from a kind stranger on ther internet that I was uable to obtain from healrh professionals.
I thank you.
You speak of the doctor waiting for my whiplash to heal and then do therapy.
Firstly- its been 6 weeks. Shouldnt whipelas heal by now.
Secondly- I have already been attending therapy for a month now.
I thank you.
You speak of the doctor waiting for my whiplash to heal and then do therapy.
Firstly- its been 6 weeks. Shouldnt whipelas heal by now.
Secondly- I have already been attending therapy for a month now.
Cervicalgia is neck pain. Radiculopathy is radiating nerve pain.
The glenoid labrum is a joint beneath your shoulder blade. You've injured this joint which is giving you pain when you reach with that arm. The steroid injection should help reduce pain soon. They do not work immediately.
You have a mild cervical degenerative disc disease that was probably there before the accident. The accident may have aggravate this condition, causing the pain you're experiencing.
The pain in your thumb is probably caused by nerve root impingement in your neck (radiculopathy). This may be temporary, due to the accident and will wear off. Or the damage may be more severe. Only your doctor knows. Further nerve conduction tests can be run to test the nerve root if necessary.
Whiplash is a painful condition of the neck and shoulder muscles that is experienced after an auto accident. I imagine some of your cervicalgia is due to whiplash, and some is due to nerve roots that were pinched during the accident.
Your doctor is probably giving the whiplash time to heal. Then he can order physical therapy that can help with your cervical disc disease.
That's all I can make of your story and MRI report. Your best bet is to ask your doctor about diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis.
The glenoid labrum is a joint beneath your shoulder blade. You've injured this joint which is giving you pain when you reach with that arm. The steroid injection should help reduce pain soon. They do not work immediately.
You have a mild cervical degenerative disc disease that was probably there before the accident. The accident may have aggravate this condition, causing the pain you're experiencing.
The pain in your thumb is probably caused by nerve root impingement in your neck (radiculopathy). This may be temporary, due to the accident and will wear off. Or the damage may be more severe. Only your doctor knows. Further nerve conduction tests can be run to test the nerve root if necessary.
Whiplash is a painful condition of the neck and shoulder muscles that is experienced after an auto accident. I imagine some of your cervicalgia is due to whiplash, and some is due to nerve roots that were pinched during the accident.
Your doctor is probably giving the whiplash time to heal. Then he can order physical therapy that can help with your cervical disc disease.
That's all I can make of your story and MRI report. Your best bet is to ask your doctor about diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis.
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