Enlarged Trapezius, Pain In Upper Back And Shoulders, Finger Numbness, Clavicle Swelling, Popping In Shoulder Blade. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Posted on Sun, 20 May 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 20 May 2012 Answered on

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I have enlarged trapezius that causes a dull ache in my upper back and shoulders. Numbness into pinky fingers. Swelling in clavicle area. Tremendous popping in shoulder blade area. The levator scalpula has become so tight that it crunches when I touch it. I have been told that my scalenes are extremely tight and have elevated my first rib. My pectorals are extremely shortened and my shoulders are curving forward. This in turn is affecting my pelvis. Does it sound like I have thoracic outlet syndrome or something else.

Answered by Dr. Amit Agarwal (22 hours later)

Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Going purely by your description of the symptoms, there could be two possibilities:
1. Ankylosing Spondylitis - this is an auto-immune disorder mainly affecting the joints of the axial skeleton, ultimately causing spinal deformity especially in the region of the chest wall.
2. Scoliosis- in this condition, the spinal column bends to the side causing deformity. It could be due to various factors like trauma/ infection/pathological/ idiopathic.

I would suggest that you get the following tests done and we can discuss the results on this forum:
1. Blood investigations: HLA-B27, ANA(anti-nuclear antibodies), CRP(C reactive protein), RA FACTOR(rheumatoid factor), ASLO (anti streptolysin antibodies) .
2. X-RAY DORSO-LUMBAR SPINE- AP AND LATERAL VIEWS.

Thanks,

Dr.Amit Agarwal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli