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Suggest Treatment For Neck And Shoulder Stiffness

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Posted on Tue, 19 Jul 2016
Question: Ihave stiffness on the top of my spine going into the right side of my neck and shoulder.The stiffness and pain are now going up through the cranium in a few places
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Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Cervical radiculopathy vs. ankylosing spondylitis

Detailed Answer:
Good morning. I am sorry you are so uncomfortable. First, you will need a proper diagnosis. From your description of things I am sure plain films or a CT scan of the shoulder and cervical spine should be more than sufficient to make a proper diagnosis. MRI of the cervical spine, however, could show the presence of NERVE ROOT IMPINGEMENTS which could also be responsible for the radiating pain up to the head.

What your doctor should be looking for would be evidence of bursitis in the shoulder, cervical spinal canal stenosis in the neck, or osteophyte complexes at the base of the skull or along side of the cervical spine that could be impinging on roots C1 and C2 which would be the most likely affected for traveling pain to the top of the head.

If I were your doctor I would also get blood tests for ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS and RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.

Depending upon the CORRECT DIAGNOSIS then, treatments can be devised. I almost recommend people go for steroid shots since the majority of cases I've seen or sent to get done come back with stories of very short to almost no significant duration before having to do them again.

But the scans and tests should give you a better idea of whether or not surgery may be an option. Otherwise, conservative approaches to neck movement/exercises as well as medication are the order of the day. I might recommend things such as GABAPENTIN or PREGABALIN (Neurontin and Lyrica respectively) for pain management which can have a greater success pattern and rate compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.

There is also a device called a THERMAZONE machine which was originally designed as a relief machine for people with migraine headaches. However, the THERMAZONE also treats acute and chronic joint and articular pains. But unlike steroids....you can use the THERMAZONE zone for as long or as little you like to wear it. Check it out.....www.thermazone.com

If I've satisfactorily addressed your question could you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THIS QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback on your opinion as to our transaction? If you have any comments or are interested in potentially considering a visit to XXXXXXX OH for a workup feel free to let me know at your convenience and we can work to set that up.

Again, many thanks for posing your question to our attention on this network and do not forget to recontact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 24 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2472 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Neck And Shoulder Stiffness

Brief Answer: Cervical radiculopathy vs. ankylosing spondylitis Detailed Answer: Good morning. I am sorry you are so uncomfortable. First, you will need a proper diagnosis. From your description of things I am sure plain films or a CT scan of the shoulder and cervical spine should be more than sufficient to make a proper diagnosis. MRI of the cervical spine, however, could show the presence of NERVE ROOT IMPINGEMENTS which could also be responsible for the radiating pain up to the head. What your doctor should be looking for would be evidence of bursitis in the shoulder, cervical spinal canal stenosis in the neck, or osteophyte complexes at the base of the skull or along side of the cervical spine that could be impinging on roots C1 and C2 which would be the most likely affected for traveling pain to the top of the head. If I were your doctor I would also get blood tests for ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS and RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. Depending upon the CORRECT DIAGNOSIS then, treatments can be devised. I almost recommend people go for steroid shots since the majority of cases I've seen or sent to get done come back with stories of very short to almost no significant duration before having to do them again. But the scans and tests should give you a better idea of whether or not surgery may be an option. Otherwise, conservative approaches to neck movement/exercises as well as medication are the order of the day. I might recommend things such as GABAPENTIN or PREGABALIN (Neurontin and Lyrica respectively) for pain management which can have a greater success pattern and rate compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. There is also a device called a THERMAZONE machine which was originally designed as a relief machine for people with migraine headaches. However, the THERMAZONE also treats acute and chronic joint and articular pains. But unlike steroids....you can use the THERMAZONE zone for as long or as little you like to wear it. Check it out.....www.thermazone.com If I've satisfactorily addressed your question could you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THIS QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback on your opinion as to our transaction? If you have any comments or are interested in potentially considering a visit to XXXXXXX OH for a workup feel free to let me know at your convenience and we can work to set that up. Again, many thanks for posing your question to our attention on this network and do not forget to recontact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others. This query has utilized a total of 24 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.