EE,

What did they diagnose you with?

I've suspected a shoulder problem, maybe a labrum tear, but so many orthos and other have evaluated me and can't find much wrong with my shoulder. There's some partial tears in there, but most say "nothing abnormal for a 42 year old."

The funny thing is that I was scheduled to have shoulder surgery in less than a week. Reading up on some of these conditions, if I indeed have one, it sounds like surgery could make them worse.

I feel like I'm in the early stages of...something. It's been two weeks with this elbow pain and no sign of it letting up. The neuontin has cut the edge off, but I know it's still there.

Any advice anyone can give me to help diagnose what's going on would be of great help. I'm going to see a local neurologist in the southeeastern MA area. Also going back to my ortho to explain the situation and have the elbow checked out.

Should I look into some other type of doctor?

What's really annoying about this situation is that for months I've been trying to explain this "other" type of pain I have on the scap/armpit/upper arm along with muscle twitching and spasms. Pretty much ignored. It wasn't until I basically can't move my arm that I'm getting attention.

Really hoping my initial injury caused some nerve entrapement of some kind that needs to be released.

Thanks.

KY

Ky, I messed up the other reply. I should have written Brachial Radiculitis. Search for that and read up on it. My diagnosis was Glennoid Labral tear. The dislocation happened when I was trying to get a diagnosis. It wasn't provoked, it just happened. A neurosurgeon gave me the Brachial Rad. diagnosis several years back. I have burning pain in the scapula, the posterior shoulder, and the upper arm. The elbow comes and goes. When its bad, it can stay bad for several weeks before it calms down again. Then it eases up for awhile before the cycle repeats. I've been seeing a pain management doctor who has performed some radio frequency ablations to try to control some of the pain, but I still get the upper arm, elbow, scapula, and posterior shoulder pain. It seems as though its difficult to control. I use a tens unit and I'm on meds, but none of the anticonvulsants.

EE,

Thanks.

There are certainly some things I have in common with brachial radiculitus:

* Sudden onset of symptoms.
* Right shoulder primarily.
* Trauma: Think this is my original injury.

The wierd thing is, I have pretty good strength still in certain movements. For example:

* Bicep curl with elbow at side: Did 25 lbs x 10 reps yesterday
* Lateral Raise: Did 15 lbs x 10 reps.
* Narrow Grip Press Machine: Scared as hell to do this because I bend my elbow, but it's in tight to my body, but could do a low weight (70lbs).

So there's strength, but then there is EXTREME pain when I a) move the elbow away from my body, and b) Bend the arm at the elbow. I also have a low level, irritating, somewhat burning pain on the shoulder blade/in armpit/down rib.

Now this elbow pain just emerged two weeks ago so it may be that other symptoms may emerge. Based on everything I'm reading, it seems like a no-brainer that I have something fouled up in the brachial nerve complex.

Are there any specific diagnostic tests I should push for to get this diagnosed? Besides an EMG?

Thanks.

KY

I don't know. I also have neck issues so its hard to discern which tests are for what. I've had multiple MRI's, multiple EMG's over the years, and a discogram. I've seen an orthopedic doctor and a neurosurgeon and it was the neurosurgeon who arrived at the diagnosis. I exercise my arm and shoulder daily, but certain movements will aggravate the pain. I do these exercises to maintain use and prevent a frozen shoulder and muscle atrophy. Its been stressed by all the doctors I've seen and I can't do any overhead lifting. If it were me, I'd go back to a good orthopedic doctor and discuss it with them and see if seeing a neuro surgeon might be the way to go or look for an orthopedic doctor who specializes in shoulders.

On orthopedic drs and shoulders, I've now seen three. All three have pretty much stated that I didn't have a significant shoulder situation. Two of the three diagnosed me with a mild case of scapular winging which is interesting since this could be linked to damage to the long thoracic nerve and the de-activation of the serratus anterior muscle. I just visited the shoulder specialist at Beth Israel and he flat out said he doesn't think I need shoulder surgery and that the symptoms are too nervy.

I've been to the neurosurgeon several times. They can't find anything wrong. Hinted at TOS, but didn't think I have it.

So I think I need to see some other people. I've yet to see a neurologist and my this seems like a no-brainer.

I'm now up to 1800mg per day on neurontin. It takes the edge off, but it doesn't completely eliminate my pain nor my fear. It does allow me to continue to do certain activities at the gym, which is good for my emotional well being, but not sure if this is the right thing to do depending on what's really going on. Have yet to get back to work on this. Could be iffy. After each dose, the first couple hours are very fuzzy.

Ugh.

Thanks.

KY

I think I saw 5 orthos, one physiatrist, and I was given every diagnosis out there, all of which were wrong. Then the last ortho sent me to the neurosurgeon and he came up with the final diagnosis which seems to fit. Maybe seeing a neurologist is your best shot, but go in there armed with the information and see what they say. I would ask them directly if your symptoms match the condition and whether there are any tests to determine if thats the proper diagnosis. I would also take all the records from the previous doctors, especially the test results. I hope you'll post what you find out.

EE,

What helped the neurosurgeon make the final diagnosis? What tools? Was it just the physical exam?

I've heard that EMG's come up normal for many of these neuropathies. I'm wondering if any of these are more effective:

MR Angiogram
MR Neurography
MRI of brachial plexus
Scalene block
Thermography

These are some of the other diagnostic tools I keep running into in my research. I want to DEMAND the most effective test.

Anyone?

Thanks.

KY