I have a stabbing pain in my shoulder on the top toward the front, feels like a knife is inserted there... shoot.. usually it happens while I am sleeping and if I get up it goes away... this is not going away.
I know it's just nerve pain, but what freaking nerve??...

I have tried stretching out my scalene, did my snow angels, put capsaicin patch all over and a flector patch on my neck, tried tens unit on it.. crap it wont go away..

Anyone have issues like this with TOS??

thanks, J.

Yes, I have that. I don't have it every minute of every day, but I have it daily. I had it especially bad yesterday but it's better today (for no reason I can understand). I don't know which nerve is affected.

Take care,
Kelly

I have had that kind of shoulder pain right, especially after my surgery. My PT friend suggested stretches for internal shoulder rotation and they have helped - a lot! The "sleeper stretch" was especially helpful to me and there are lots of how-tos and variations if you google it. Hope you feel better!

I have this quite frequently. If you are having weekly PT visits, I found it helpful when my PT tried to dig in under my armpit/pectoral. It hurts like hell when he's doing it and for a day or so after, but it relieves some of the tension and ultimately it feels better. Sorry I can't explain it more fully.

Sorry to hear that this is bothering you so much. I hope it calms down soon.

Brad

Yep, it's better now, but dang it hurt for awhile.

Brad- I have that type of PT done as well, it does help but it's hard to get over there every week, not sure why those places arent open on Saturday... argh..

Yes I describe it as a stabbing pain. Actually been everyday since wk 3 postop now going on for 4 wks. Dont know the nerve I think using kindle is making it worse.

I had this a little before transaxillary rib resections (bilateral), and definitely. bad. after. I referred to it as the knitting needle in my shoulder blade pain. PT helps. Anything to relax those muscles helps. The things that have worked best for that area: manual adjustments, and direct, LIGHT, massage of that area. I find as my tension increases, so does that pain.

Does anyone know why this increases after surgery? I have been told it is the position your arm is in during the operation.

Shoestringlover,

The long thoracic nerve can be damaged and cause that pain, usually gets better with therapy. And yes, I read that arm positioning can affect that.
Wonder if that is more prevalent with "trans" approach?

Mine (clavicular approach) improved with therapy, however, I had other nerve damage....including phrenic nerve & horner's syndrome that has not totally resolved (almost 3 years postop). I have been told that there is likely alot of scar tissue.

The most recent nerve pain (Body wide) I have had as explained by my PCP is likely that the nerves are oversensitive (now possibly Fibromyalgia). So I believe that it is possible that pain can increase after surgery, especially if there are complications as I had.

chloecasey