Pain in biceps and triceps after acdf

[mrsalkire]

Originally Posted by don1956

oh yeah i also get "nerve block"injections.after a while im not taking all those pills.im just tired.Pills,meds ,injections.getting to the point where it hard for me to take this anymore(mentally to )

I feel same way. It has a way of breaking us down mentally. Hope you get some relief somewhere.

[Cocoa14]

Originally Posted by Dubious

Cocoa14,

At 14 weeks post-op, it is unusual for you to be having ongoing problems as you describe. I think at this point, you need to self-refer to a neurologist, one whom your surgeon doesn't personally know, get an eval and neurodiagnostic studies to help zero in on the problem. Your description of burning pain is disturbing and while RSD/CRPS is very unlikely, statistically, it probably should be a consideration until otherwise ruled out. In the very unlikely event that it is, you are approaching the point of no return where intervention is no longer helpful. Besides, a C5 root problem wouldn't likely refer into the forearm and wrist. Reaching up, by the way, should be a relieving position for cervical root pain and in fact is an orthopedic test called Bakody's. There are just a whole host of issues that need to be considered, i.e. brachial plexus, peripheral nerve issues, recurrent disc, etc., and you are not likely going to figure it out without a neuro consult, so don't wait too long. Good luck!

Thank you for the reply. I'm having more nerve test done Tuesday and had a cortisone shot in my shoulder. I agree my symptoms are all over the place..so I'm thinking there may be more than one problem..? I was woken up this morning at1:30 with my arm hurting and in a 'spasm', I don't know what else to call it. This time though, it also hurt in my shoulder blade. It throbbed then for hours. My MRI only showed mild to mod bursitis, so there is def something else going on. I can't move my arm way from my body or straight up. Could this be a pinched nerve? Also The " bump" on the back of my neck as throbbed all day, as it does often. Any ideas?

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by Cocoa14

Thank you for the reply. I'm having more nerve test done Tuesday and had a cortisone shot in my shoulder. I agree my symptoms are all over the place..so I'm thinking there may be more than one problem..? I was woken up this morning at1:30 with my arm hurting and in a 'spasm', I don't know what else to call it. This time though, it also hurt in my shoulder blade. It throbbed then for hours. My MRI only showed mild to mod bursitis, so there is def something else going on. I can't move my arm way from my body or straight up. Could this be a pinched nerve? Also The " bump" on the back of my neck as throbbed all day, as it does often. Any ideas?

Well, until you have a definative diagnosis....yes, it could be anything still! But for you to have symptoms into your forearm and hand as you previously mentioned and for it to come from your neck (pinched nerve), it would have to be a lower root problem; C6, C7, C8 which would involve a disc issue or some type of compressive radiculopathy (nerve root) problem anywhere from vertebral levels C5 thru C7, possibly T1. Really, when there are multiple areas involved like yours (not uncommon after shoulder arthroscopy, for example) then the brachial plexus becomes suspicious. Stretch injury or even direct surgical trauma are a consideration. And you mentioned burning pain or something to that effect, I really think you should ask the neurologist if complex regional pain syndrome could be a possibility. It can start after cervical spine surgery as well.

[Cocoa14]

Originally Posted by Dubious

Well, until you have a definative diagnosis....yes, it could be anything still! But for you to have symptoms into your forearm and hand as you previously mentioned and for it to come from your neck (pinched nerve), it would have to be a lower root problem; C6, C7, C8 which would involve a disc issue or some type of compressive radiculopathy (nerve root) problem anywhere from vertebral levels C5 thru C7, possibly T1. Really, when there are multiple areas involved like yours (not uncommon after shoulder arthroscopy, for example) then the brachial plexus becomes suspicious. Stretch injury or even direct surgical trauma are a consideration. And you mentioned burning pain or something to that effect, I really think you should ask the neurologist if complex regional pain syndrome could be a possibility. It can start after cervical spine surgery as well.

I've read about crps, I'm not sure i have any of the symptoms besides the burning pain, and most ppl I've talked to exp that after acdf. What other symptoms should i have if rsd/ crps is a possibility? I don't have swelling. My shoulder is a little red, face is flushed, but I think those are due to the cortisone shot. Im having a mri on my upper arm wednesday because he wants to look at the brachial plexus. im also scheduled to have more nerve test, but i dont think i can do that again. Your thoughts on this is appreciated.

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by Cocoa14

I've read about crps, I'm not sure i have any of the symptoms besides the burning pain, and most ppl I've talked to exp that after acdf. What other symptoms should i have if rsd/ crps is a possibility? I don't have swelling. My shoulder is a little red, face is flushed, but I think those are due to the cortisone shot. Im having a mri on my upper arm wednesday because he wants to look at the brachial plexus. im also scheduled to have more nerve test, but i dont think i can do that again. Your thoughts on this is appreciated.

I can appreciate that your pain is severe, you are distraught over your newly found pain issues, new questions about those and no answers to any of the above have left you in a dark place. I think you should focus on taking all of the information here that you have absorbed and anything else that you have experienced from your learning process and take all of that back to your surgeons and beg them for an answer. You deserve at least that!

You should remember that almost everyone here is not clinically trained and cannot support answers to your questions in a capacity that you may desire. Your questions are well founded and deserve an answer so please hammer your docs with them and let us know how they respond!

[don1956]

Originally Posted by Dubious

I can appreciate that your pain is severe, you are distraught over your newly found pain issues, new questions about those and no answers to any of the above have left you in a dark place. I think you should focus on taking all of the information here that you have absorbed and anything else that you have experienced from your learning process and take all of that back to your surgeons and beg them for an answer. You deserve at least that!

You should remember that almost everyone here is not clinically trained and cannot support answers to your questions in a capacity that you may desire. Your questions are well founded and deserve an answer so please hammer your docs with them and let us know how they respond!

your right "dubious"we all have the same type,but some differ than others.its up to "cocoa"to ask the rest .and make sure your doctors understands.for example i never had a "EMG"so i asked the members here.got a lot of horror story.i had 2 so far now.to me there nothing..not all that bad..see how different we all are

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by don1956

your right "dubious"we all have the same type,but some differ than others.its up to "cocoa"to ask the rest .and make sure your doctors understands.for example i never had a "EMG"so i asked the members here.got a lot of horror story.i had 2 so far now.to me there nothing..not all that bad..see how different we all are

Thanks for setting me straight! Gonna take a vacation from NT for awhile. Bye!