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  • dbltreeran
    Participant
    Post count: 1

    Dr Corenman,
    I sustained a severe injury 4-2-13. Over the course of the past 5 years I have undergone 3 Left shoulder surgeries, a neck fusion C5-C7 ACDF, and now both right and left ulnar nerve transposition surgeries. Through all the fixing and testing it has been discovered through EMG that I have permanent nerve damage in my neck at the point of the fusion and then the severely pinched ulnar nerves which has been alleviated–we hope. What has never been address is the intense pain I have under my shoulder blade area. Some days it is debilitating. At times things feel pinched, numb, other times like a knife in my back with pain radiating through the front under my collar bone. Pain level often times 4-6/10. I have had trigger point injections, which didn’t help. Been put on gabapentin, and lyrica which also didn’t help It was talked that it could be a brachial plexus issue but no exams or testing has been done. Do you have any knowledge or ideas what this pain could be from and how to remedy it? Is there an MRI that could tell anyone what is going on? I am open to scheduling an appointment with you if you have some ideas on helping me. I am 42 and was very active. I would so love to get my active life back. Any thoughts would most helpful! Thank you in advance! ~Melissa

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    We first have to determine what is causing your continued pain. Is is confined compression of the root, chronic radiculopathy or shoulder problems that have been undisclosed. Your quote “it has been discovered through EMG that I have permanent nerve damage in my neck at the point of the fusion and then the severely pinched ulnar nerves which has been alleviated”, how was that determined? Did you have diagnostic blocks? Did you have a new MRI that indicated no further compression. There are many questions that need to be answered.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    Doloressan
    Participant
    Post count: 6

    Hi Melissa,
    I had similar pain under my shoulder blade area like you describe. I found relief from going on for regular accupressure massage. It is like a deep tissue massage but massuese works on areas with muscle tightness and ‘muscle memory’. It has helped me immensely. May be worth a try?

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