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About two weeks ago, I wretched my neck somehow and woke up with a super stiff, painful neck and right (on) shoulder. The neck has healed up for the most part, but I can't move my right arm more than about 30-40 degrees away from parallel with my torso without really fighting for it (weakness) and I'll pay dearly with excruciating pain soon after if I do. Tilting my head back causes similar pain, localized in what I believe is in my trapezius muscle group, right near the edge of my shoulder blade. If I over-work the arm (wash my hair with that arm for 3 minutes), I'm sure to have waves of burning, stabbing pain in that muscle/tendon group that eventually creeps all the way down past my shoulder and down into my arm and hand. I had a neck MRI which revealed nothing.

It has been two weeks and my doc says, "keep ice on it and see a chiropractor if you want". Ice isn't doing it and 2 Vicodin before bed (I have 'em for my migraines), mutes the pain enough so I can more or less sleep. This can't be right. I've had whiplash problems in my right shoulder/neck before and paradoxically, I've paddled very little this year. Under-use problems?

Any idea what to say? What to concentrate on? Any suggestions would be helpful. Go see an orthopedic doc? This is impacting my job, sleep, home maint, driving and most importantly, boating!

Doug

*********************DISCLAIMER************************
I am a chiropractor and am biased that way. All advice I give is from this perspective so don't harass me for it. I am not your doctor and any advice that I give is not given as your doctor.

*******************END*DISCLAIMER*********************

I am a chiropractor and a paddler/swimmer (more a swimmer most days). I see this kind of presentation all the time and MOST of the time it can be resolved fairly easily. There are some things that could be causing these symptoms that are harder to correct (herniated disks being the most common) but from my experience there is around a 95% chance that it is something that a chiropractor can correct fairly easily. Your neck started out hurting and that has healed enough that you don't have the pain there any more but the underlying cause of the problem is still there and causing irritation to the nerves going to your arm that is exacerbated by actually moving your arm.

This is something that MAY eventually clear up on it's own, symptomatically at least, but that does not mean that it should go untreated. If you have a history of neck problems it makes it more likely that this is not going away quickly on its own. If you are not seeing any improvement after 2-3 weeks of consistent chiropractic care then you should consider getting an MRI to check out the disks (x-rays DO NOT show disk problems) but this is really a preliminary for determining the need for surgery.

I do see this kind of presentation and history often and most of the time it can be resolved non-surgically. If you have any specific questions you can PM me. I truly hope that this resolves quickly and easily but you do need to pursue figuring this out ASAP.

It won't hurt a bit to see another doctor, maybe the top sports medicine guru in your neck of the woods. Maybe it's time for an MRI on the shoulder?

I had a cervical spine MRI 2 days ago. Minor impingement, but no change from an older one I had. I'm really wondering if this is scar tissue rearing it's ugly head. I had an oblique head on with an SUV about 5 years ago. I saw it coming and tensed up, sending the bulk of the impact force to my body up my right arm and up into my neck/shoulder. Enough force that I bent the steering wheel simply by holding onto it.

As I turn my head around, I hear tendons snap and pop. Think pain in the trapezius/scapulae/romboideus area (looking on an anatomy chart). It seems like any time I use my right posterior shoulder muscles, major pain is soon to follow. The more I use 'em, the deeper down my back the pain goes. I don't think my shoulder joint itself is troubled, but what do I know?

thanks

Doug.

Not to be a broken record........

See a chiropractor, you may be surprised by he results.

Find a good phisotherapist; preferably one who specialises in sports medicine, and Ideally one who specialises in shoulder problems.

Whilst the MRI would seem to say that it's not indicated, if you can wangle a consultation with a orthopedic surgeon who specialises in shoulders that would be good; as they tend to have a lot of insight into possibly problems from their experience in that area.

If those options aren't easily available, then seeing a chiropractor wouldn't be the worst option available... But go to one who has a good reputation for working with doctors and dealing with complaints of your nature; Some chiropractors are consumate proffesionals and others outright charlatans, and you want to make sure it's the former that works on you!

It also strikes me that you may be able to find an osetopathic physician who would have an understanding of both the conventional, and manuplative treatments available.

Doug, sounds like low cervical spine origin pain to me. Get a referral for physical therapy and do the Davey Hearn shoulder routine:http://www.daveyhearn.com/Coaching/Tech ... outine.htm

Doug, I agree with Jack. Been there with it.

Proverbs 11:14 ... but in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety.

If I hadn't checked around and been patient, the first Doc would have cut, even my favorite Chiropractor thought my time might had come... Only by checking with some other MD's.... my Chiropractor, a Orthopedic Surgeon, my massage therapist, and finally an Acupuncturist did I have success.

Wonders of wonders, the surgeon didn't know exactly, but knew he could resolve the matter. My chiropractor initially located the spot as not in my shoulder, but rather a Serratus Posterior Superior muscle (just like cheajack mentioned - however mine was cervical and thoracic). But after a couple weeks, thought it might be a symptom, and not the cause. So I asked a massage therapist friend, and she said "Oh Honey, I never have luck any with those ... you need acupuncture... I've worked on those for weeks" So I asked Bill my chiro (and good friend), and he said that might do it. So in 3 days and two treatments, the locked knotted muscle was released. And my chiropractor slipped the cause back into place at the end of the week. I'm not saying this is your problem, just one brief case study.

Just my tale... but sometimes judicious asking and shopping around amongist several different medical professionals might help. Sometimes asking the y'kaker, canoer, or C1 about that line, will not tell what you need. But a raft guide or squirt boater might... it sure doesn't hurt (sic), except maybe in the wallet.

Have you tried taking ibuprofen regularly for a few days? Taking something to reduce inflamation will often work and allow the body to begin healing itself.

My muscular issue is a bit different, but I am a firm believer in the effectiveness of the Theracane. It has helped me immensely over the years. They are reasonably priced and I know you can order one from Paul Mason's site: www.bubblestreet.ca
This might not fix your issue, but it can help and it is easy to travel with.
The only downside is they sink...

Thanks for all the great info. I have a better idea what/who to look for when I start my calling around on Monday.

I tried an ibuprofen regimen, but the pain is simply too much at times to rely on it solely. I've been carefully switching between it and acetaminophen based pain killers prescribed to me for migraine control (Fioricet and Vicodin).

Hopefully I can get this buttoned up ASAP. It feels like if I could just get my shoulder/neck muscles to release, i could stretch and feel better. It's probably ill advised, but a steaming hot bath sounds very attractive.

Thanks,

Doug

eddyhops wrote:...maybe the top sports medicine guru in your neck of the woods.

That's the route I took. Dr. Andrews' sports medicine clinic in Birmingham, AL is one of the best- if not the best- in the world. He's worked on many top professional and Olympic athletes.

My injury, however, sounds different from yours in that mine was definitely a tear- a torn labrum to be exact. So it could be that some of these alternate suggestions might be better for you if it's more a matter of muscles or nerves being in a bind/pinch.

Either way, you have my sympathy. I lost an entire paddling season with mine last year, and as you get older those seaons become more precious. I hope you get "all the kinks worked out", as they say.

Gotta go with Phil about relying on a multitude of health professionals. Any one of them will be correct in their specialty regarding what you need done, Doug, but our bodies are complicated machines so keep seeking help from others.

Please keep us updated on what you find out and your progression toward getting better.

I have an appointment on Wed. with and Ortho/sport shoulder specialist who's part of a highly rated local practice. Warren G. Harding III; who could forget that name?

I looked back in my records, asked family and reconstructed the history of my neck trauma. Back in 04 I was rear-ended by a car on the highway as I was at a full stop in rush hour. A woman in a mini-van never hit her brakes and hit me hard enough that from a dead stop, brakes applied, I totaled the Camaro in front of me. I'm convinced to this day that my ol' '85 Audi Coupe GT saved my life. Then about a week later as my GF was backing out of the driveway to take me to work, the neighbor across the street backed out of their driveway at the same time and we wrecked. I had BAD whiplash pain on my right side for quite a while.

Then a few years later I had the head on with an SUV about 35 MPH where I clinched up before impact and sent the force of the wreck up my right arm and into my shoulder/neck. I found the picture depicting how I bent the steering wheel simply by holding onto it.

It's amazing I've made it until now without getting gimpy.

Doug