Differentiating shoulder pain from cervical causes or shoulder causes - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Joanna2007 · 12-12-2006, 05:14 PM

Hello and thanks for taking the time to read my post. I have had neck pain and shoulder/arm pain for about 6 months. I went to GP in Oct. and he gave me steroids and muscle relaxers and said to call if it didn't improve. It initially improved then was back to being very painful within 6 weeks. I called and he ordered a cervical MRI. The results showed a herniated disc at C5-C6. My dr. suggested injections into the neck. My question is this. My pain is very primarily in the shoulder and upper arm. My neck rarely hurts. The pain feels like it is originating in my shoulder right where my upper arm starts. I understand the whole radiating pain thing, but how do I know that it is coming from my neck and not shoulder? Should I let someone give me shots in my neck when I am unsure of the origin of the pain?? How likely is it that it is actually my neck?
TIA
emalee

PearlDoves · 12-12-2006, 08:57 PM

My neck pain went into my upper back for a while and thought that I had a upper back problem and shoulder problems as well, but it was indeed my neck. Your muscles and nerves have memory and it take a long time sometimes for healing. Have you been to see a Neurosurgeon or Othopedic Surgeon yet? They would be able to explain things better to you probably, as well as tell you how likely you will need surgery or not. Good Luck to you and God Bless.

bw67 · 12-12-2006, 09:26 PM

my pain was in my right arm/shoulder- at it's worst just above my right elbow. the doctor's attributed it to disc herniations at C5-6 and C6-7. they said the herniations were pressing on the nerves that go down into the arm.

I would recommend you see a neurosurgeon vs. soley relying on your gp....

I had torn my right rotator cuff in a sports injury and had surgery to repair it 5+ years ago, so I too wondered if my pain might be more related to that. but the doctors convinced me it was disc related. I chose a minimally invasive option over fusion, and so far 4 months post surgery my arm pain is virtually gone. the doctors have said that I will still have flare ups now and then, until the nerves affected are completely healed. but overall I feel monumentally better.

your situation may be resolved without surgery however, I would recommend that as your last resort...

good luck

bw

ICC · 12-13-2006, 03:37 AM

hi emalee----I also have a really bad neck. stenosis, bulged sidks, bone spurs, and a possible pinched nerve at the C7. since i injured my shoulder at the same time it was impossilbe for anyone to know what was what. have had 2 injections and months of therapy on my shoulder (impinged rotator cuff) and have had some relief. the pain oringinally was in my neck, shoulder and the bicep pain was horrendous. I never knew at that time that the neck can cause this but it can. i also have a dead tricep on the same side as the bad shoulder. after getting a trigger point injection in each trapezious muscle i have had my greatest releif. neck still hurts and shoulder still locks if i try to lift it beyond half way up but i feel the pain in my neck now is from my neck. hope I helped.

ICC

whackedback · 12-13-2006, 08:22 AM

BW-

I was wondering who did your surgery in the middle TN area. I've had an ACDF already, and my right arm hurts like heck above my right elbow. thanks.

wb