What Causes Pain In Right Shoulder And Clavical That Radiates To Right Ear And Head?

Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2014

Question: I have pain in rt shoulder and clavical that radiates to rt ear and head...started 2 days ago. Difficult to raise my arm like to take off shirt.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I want to know little detail about your illness

Detailed Answer:
Hello madam,
I have read your question. It can be a nerve compression or shoulder problem.To understand it better I want to as few questions.
1.Can you describe me the nature of pain? like burning , aching or electric like?
2. When you say that you can not raise your arm, Is it only pain or you are also feeling like your shoulder is tight?
3. Is this pain occurring more in night time?
4. Are you a Diabetic?
Please sens me answers of these questions. I will try my best to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (3 hours later)

Hi Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

I realized that I really didn't give enough information! I'm sorry. Here are your answers:

1. The pain is aching, sometimes sharp with movement
2. I don't feel the shoulder is tight - the pain is in clavical area and up my rt side of neck and behind my rt ear.
3. The pain is throughout day and night.
4. I am Diabetic - A1C is 6.2

I have spinal stenosis in lower back. Had a lamenectomy and nerve decompression on L4-5 in 2009. So I do have spinal issues but this pain doesn't feel the same.

I am obese - but recently eating clean with no dairy, gluten, or sugar. My blood sugars are running 120 - 140 fasting since changing my diet. My blood pressure is excellent - 128/63 last check up in doctor's office one week ago.

I was treated for cervical cancer last yr with radiation and chemotherapy and have no recurrance to date.

I think this is a strain but with my spinal history, it could be degenerative. Wanting to know what is best home treatment, what to watch out for and what gentle exercises I can do to help when the inflammation is better.

Thank you so much! XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This is cervical spondylosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello madam,
After studying your case, I believe it is cervical spondylosis. It is nerve compression with pain radiation at clavicle region and neck.
Diagnosis can be confirmed by MRI.
I give following suggestion to my patients with this problem.
1. Avoid using pillow and keeping your neck in same position for long time.
2. Neck muscle exercises and cervical traction exercises can be learn from physio.
3. Tablet pregabalin and Methylcobal.
4. Good sugar
5. Neck collar
I hope these measures will help you. Let me know if you want to ask any other questions.
Thanks.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj