Starting several weeks ago, I developed pain in my right shoulder and elbow, which shortly thereafter spread down to my right ring/pinky finger and up into the right side of my neck.

Finally got in to see an orthopedic shoulder/elbow doc yesterday, who did some manipulations and took some x-rays of my elbow, shoulder, and neck. Even though the pain started and is worst in my shoulder and elbow, he doesn't believe it is a bone or soft tissue issue with either one. Instead, his primary theory is that it is an ulnar nerve issue.

Next step is an EMG test, where they jab me with needles with electricity shot through them to help narrow down whether the nerve problem originates in my shoulder, elbow, and/or neck.

While he's not a neck specialist himself, that doc said it will most likely end up originating with something in my neck, and I'll then have to see a neck specialist. In addition, he did say that when he reviewed my X-rays there was a "lack of cervical lordosis". (Basically, where most neck vertebrae are oriented in a C curve, mine are mostly straight.) This could be the cause, or another symptom of, the neck issue.

It's going to be a couple weeks before the EMG, and then probably another couple weeks before I can get in to see the neck specialist.

Is there something I can do in the meantime to help mitigate the pain? Stretches? Massage? Heating pad? I don't want to dope up on painkillers, instead just taking Ibuprophen and using topicals like Biofreeze/Icy Hot as needed. The shoulder/elbow doc's best advice was just "take it easy", since the constant pain is somewhat low, and it only flares up to a higher level when I use that shoulder/arm heavily, like lifting/carrying heavy objects. But the ongoing nagging low-level pain is getting tiresome, and is noticeably worse today after getting poked, prodded, and twisted around yesterday.

Do not use heat! However cold for 15-20 minutes once every 2 hours may help. Most likely nerve roots are being compressed on one side of the neck, heat will increase the problem.

Lack of cervical lordosis implies that the neck is also curved to one side, typically the side of pain. The medical system has no way of returning a neck to the correct curvature. Also the thoracic spine is likely curved in an unnatural pattern.

The only way I know of realigning the spine is adjustments from a chiropractor who specializes in precise upper cervical adjustments. Such a D.C. will take pre/post x-rays to measure the change. I recommend someone using the NUCCA system.

I have similar issues. A year a go, I was swimming (breast stroke) an hour a day. I started to have pain. I went to a brand/spine doctor.

In fact, I’m going in for my third cervical injection in a couple hours. This will be within the past 13 months.

I have two neck bones compressing on a nerve. I get a ball of pain above my left shoulder blade and an uncomfortable feeling from my shoulder to my elbow and numbness in my thumb and fore finger.

The shots make that all go away. They also improve my ability to turn my neck. I have 100% turning to the right and about 75% on the left. After the shots, the left improves to about 90%.

My doc said when I have to move to four shots per year, it will be time to talk to the surgeon and get the vertebrae fused.

Good luck.

Yeah, I know a couple other guys with similar neck nerve issues, one of which has had a couple injections, and another who has had some hardware implanted in his neck. I'm hopeful that mine won't require surgery to correct, but realize that may be a possibility.

As for chiropractics, no offense intended, but I'm a massive skeptic. I'd really rather not go that route. But I may be willing to consider giving that a shot after discussing the issue further with the medical neck specialist.

But honestly, if spinal manipulation is recommended, I'd probably be a little more comfortable with something like osteopathic manipulation.

Google chiropractor and vertebral artery dissection, then never let a chiropractor touch your neck.

As for your pain, sounds like a cervical radiculopathy to me, though difficult to say without examining you. If that were my diagnosis, acCourse of steroids, followed by MRI if not relieved would be my prescription.

quote:

Originally posted by barndg00:
As for your pain, sounds like a cervical radiculopathy to me

That was my (non-neck-specialist) orthopedic doctor's thought as well, but he wants an EMG to rule out an ulnar impingement in the shoulder/arm/elbow/etc. before sending me on to a neck doc.

As a temporary measure, I've had better luck with Aleve/Naproxen than with ibuprofen or other over the counter meds and you only take one every 12 hours (with plenty of food or water).

My neck pain is no way near as severe as yours, but my head movement, left and right, somewhat mimic yours. For relief my physical therapist had me lie flat on the ground and raise, with both hands simultaneously, my massage stick over m head to the ground and let it rest for 30 seconds. Rinse and repeat. Amongst the other head and neck exercises he gave this one has helped me the most.

Good luck on your treatment.

I had a disk pushing on a nerve in my neck. Painkillers don’t work on nerve issues. I had to take gabapentin to get some relief.

I’d go get a mri on the neck and have a neck guy look at it. The pain you are describing is exactly what mine felt like but was on the palm side of my left thumb and first and middle finger.

In the meantime. Aleve or ibuprofen may help reduce swelling around the nerve.

My issue was resolved with three injections into my spine to reduce the swelling..but I have lasting effects because I waited to go to the doc. I have tingling fingers on the palm side of those three digits.

And like you, I was skeptical of chiropractors. But I was willing to try anything to get relief. So I went to one who explained what was wrong and how he would manipulate my spine to get me relief. And due to a prior partially torn artery he said he would not be doing anything to cause worse or re injure that carotid.

What sold me, besides talking it through with me, was the fact that he said he would see me when I wanted and he would not try and milk my insurance for BS appointments. And that he just wanted me to get better. He also has MD behind his name so he was not the typical snake oil salesman some chiropractors are.

quote:

As for chiropractics, no offense intended, but I'm a massive skeptic. I'd really rather not go that route. But I may be willing to consider giving that a shot after discussing the issue further with the medical neck specialist.

But honestly, if spinal manipulation is recommended, I'd probably be a little more comfortable with something like osteopathic manipulation.

Manipulation is not what you need. You need re-alignment to reduce the incorrect curvatures. Once the correct curve starts to come back, the pressure on the nerve root will be reduced and the pain will go away. The only reasonable and long lasting way to realign the neck is via correction of an upper cervical misalignment. The only way to do this is with precise, low force, upper cervical adjustments. Accurate upper cervical x-ray images are needed to measure the angles and the curvatures of some of bones.

Imbedded in the upper cervical muscle complex are between 10,000 and 20,000 proprioceptos that send critical information to the brain. The brain uses this to control the paraspinal muscles. GIGO (old computer term) is the problem. If the sensors send the wrong info, the spine becomes twisted. Over time problems develop.

I had VERY successful four-level cervical fusion surgery 4 1/2 years ago, and I’m very familiar with both the symptoms that you’re describing and what to expect if therapy and/or medications don’t help. Feel free to e-mail me, my information is in my profile.

Thank you snoris. I may take you up on that, depending on what develops over the next several weeks.

Neck specialist, D.O., and an inversion table.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by snoris:
I had VERY successful four-level cervical fusion surgery 4 1/2 years ago, and I’m very familiar with both the symptoms that you’re describing and what to expect if therapy and/or medications don’t help.

Best to fix the underlying problem before the spine degrades that far.

For the record I have had two spinal surgeries, the first because I broke L1 into 53 pieces during a mountain bike accident. The second because I did something stupid while working. I also survived two near fatal accidents where a vehicle had hit me, once while walking and the other when I was cycling. I suffered 8 broken bones, plus spent 35 days in the hospital including a few in the ICU.

After all that I ended up being a long distance trail runner and triathlete. Only thing I really have trouble with is running on pavement. I credit my recovery to having C1 correctly adjusted/realigned after each big injury.

Thanks for this thread, good info!

quote:

My neck pain is no way near as severe as yours, but my head movement, left and right, somewhat mimic yours. For relief my physical therapist had me lie flat on the ground and raise, with both hands simultaneously, my massage stick over m head to the ground and let it rest for 30 seconds. Rinse and repeat. Amongst the other head and neck exercises he gave this one has helped me the most.

^^^^^^^^^
Is there a video?? What is a massage stick??

See if you can locate a PT or other provider who is familiar with PRRT (Primal Reflex Relaese Technique). It will help address the muscle issues which may be causing the decreased cervical lordosis and some of the resulting soft tissue pain.

Do you have a history of neck pain, limited range of motion, been close to an IED, or head/neck trauma?

Pediatrician here - I'n not a neurologist or neurosurgeon, but it sounds to me like you should probably see one, as the symptoms you describe are similar to a radiculopathy or a nerve compression, possibly stemming from your cervical vertebrae. It could be a herniated vertebral disc, or cervical spinal stenosis or something like that.

quote:

Originally posted by 9mm_shooter:
Do you have a history of neck pain, limited range of motion, been close to an IED, or head/neck trauma?

No to all, other than the occasional normal "slept wrong so I have a kink in my neck" style of minor neck pain/stiffness that goes away quickly. Nothing like this before, and definitely no history of traumatic injuries to the head, neck, or back.

I am not a doctor and can offer no advice.

I do wish you a quick and full recovery from whichever path you choose.