Welcome MagicMom. It would be nice to talk and compare symptoms and info with both of you. My complaints are: I can't hold a gallon of milk straight out in front of me. Can't raise my arm above my head straight out from my side. External rotation is very weak. All this causes pain in the shoulder area and down my upper arm. The sternocleidomastoid muscle is also effected but I don't really notice it much. You don't realize how much you use the trapezius until it's gone. Are you having neck pain or shoulder pain?

My rotation is weak. I can't hold a coffee cup steady without balancing it with my other hand. Folding laundry and the rotation motion I make when dumping food or water out of a pan flare up my pain. I did have a few months where I couldn't lift my arm, but that only lasted a couple months. I have a deep aching pain. I did have multiple EMG reports, but they all said different things, and the last few tests didn't test the exact same things as the previous emgs.

Stang1,

Just wanted to let you know I met with the surgeon in Chicago and feel comfortable (as much as I can be) with him performing the Eden Lange procedure. I have scheduled for May 5th. They immobilize your arm for 6 weeks in a gunslinger brace. Not sure how I'll manage flying back on a plane, pain wise.. I can follow with my local Orthopedic doctor, but will need to travel back at 6 weeks and again in 3 months. It's going to be costly, but this is the only option. I just hope all goes well and there are no complications.

Still a mystery as to how this happened. He said he has never seen before with the type neck surgery I had.

He recently performed on another patient and is going to check to see if they would be willing to talk with me.

I will keep you posted - sounds like MagicMom might be joining our club.

That's awesome! I'm very excited for you. So after the 6 weeks do you have to do PT? If you do get to talk with someone can you ask if you loose any function after the procedure?

I never did ask if insurance would cover such a procedure. Hopefully it does as I have almost met my deductible for the year again. Thanks for keeping us posted.

Yes, PT is started after the brace is removed at 6 weeks. This continues for 2-3 days/week for 3-4 months. They did not mention any reduction in function other than having permanent weight restrictions. I hope I can speak with a patient that will give us a better idea what is involved.

They handlie the pre-authorization through your insurance.

I was so happy to find this sight, but this thread in particular. I think I may have an accessory nerve injury. I have the three classics signs (at least from what I've read so far). I have the drooping shoulder, atrophied trapezius, and winging scapula. And a lot of pain. For me, however, the injury occurred from a fall rather then a surgical procedure. I have read that it can happen this way, a kind of whiplash effect perhaps, not quite sure. In the beginning I thought the pain was from my rotator cuff but the MRI didn't show any tear. When these other symptoms became noticeable I did research and SAN was what I found. I see my orthopedic surgeon on the 30th and I am going to ask what he thinks and have him send me for an EMG.
Thanks for letting me chime in, there is NO place else to talk about this.

JF77,

Welcome - apparently, SAN injuries are somewhat rare so it has been good to talk with other people through this forum.

Let us know what is determined with your EMG. The EMG is what confirmed the diagnosis in my case.

Hang in there.

Welcome JF77.

yes welcome JF77.

How did your appointment go? Did you find out if you have an accessory nerve issue?