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Suggest Treatment For Stiff Neck, Severe Pain In Left Shoulder And Back
Posted on
Wed, 9 Sep 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 9 Sep 2015
Answered on
Tue, 29 Sep 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : My name is XXXX email address: YYYY@YYYY . My question is, I have been working on my computer quite alot, recently I have had a stiff neck that cracks and a severe pain that is in my left shoulder. This evening I was wiping up a spilled item and was using my right arm to clean, I was wiping quite vigorously and suddenly I got a severe pain in the middle of my back between my shoulder blades. After laying down with my head elevated above my body the pain left. It took around five (5) minutes to get relief. I know I need to see a doctor but what kind of doctor do you recommend? I really need some relief.
Thank you so much....
XXXX
Thank you so much....
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Consult an orthopedician.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Stiff neck with pain in arm and upper back after a vigorous muscular activity is suggestive of a nerve root compression at the cervical vertebral level due to degenerative disc changes or cervical spondylosis. It happens primarily due to degenerative changes secondary to age in the cervical spine.
Best method of confirming it is MRI OF CERVICAL SPINE under the guidance of your orthopedician. Therefore you need to see an orthopedician / spine surgeon.
However I treat most of my patients empirically by below mentioning methods on clinical grounds only.
1. Heat and analgesics are soothing. Diclofenac/ibuprofen can be effective. But in a few cases, pain is severe that opioids like tramadol is used. Pain relief may take few weeks.
2. Rest to cervical spine (neck) is most important till pain is relieved. Cervical collar can be used to prevent unguarded movements. Avoid using a pillow or working on computer for long hours.
I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Consult an orthopedician.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Stiff neck with pain in arm and upper back after a vigorous muscular activity is suggestive of a nerve root compression at the cervical vertebral level due to degenerative disc changes or cervical spondylosis. It happens primarily due to degenerative changes secondary to age in the cervical spine.
Best method of confirming it is MRI OF CERVICAL SPINE under the guidance of your orthopedician. Therefore you need to see an orthopedician / spine surgeon.
However I treat most of my patients empirically by below mentioning methods on clinical grounds only.
1. Heat and analgesics are soothing. Diclofenac/ibuprofen can be effective. But in a few cases, pain is severe that opioids like tramadol is used. Pain relief may take few weeks.
2. Rest to cervical spine (neck) is most important till pain is relieved. Cervical collar can be used to prevent unguarded movements. Avoid using a pillow or working on computer for long hours.
I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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