What Causes Tingling Sensation Under Left Shoulder Blade?

Posted on Thu, 18 Sep 2014

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

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 Answered on

Mon, 6 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : For a few months I've experienced a tingling pain under my left shoulder blade mostly when using my laptop. A couple of days ago, it escalated into severe pain under shoulder blade radiating to my left armpit. Only comfortable sleeping position is on my back. I feel best when my arms are over my head. Heat from shower or heating pad are helping, but don' completely remove symptoms. Please help!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
can be acute disc prolapse of cervical spine

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to healthcare magic.

I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar

After going through your query I concluded that you are suffering from acute disc prolapse of cervical spine. I thought so because you have severe pain under shoulder blade radiating to your left armpit. Second you feel best when your arms are over your head which is characteristic of acute cervical disc prolapse.

Mostly it is around C6 vertebra. X ray examination may show straightening out of cervical lordosis. Best method of confirming it is MRI OF CERVICAL SPINE.MRI exclude other conditions also.

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 this condition pain is severe so sometimes tramadol is given. 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.

Its primary treatment is non operative but if refractory then disc can be removed after confirming by MRI.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Wishing you good health.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (39 minutes later)

I've had a fusion at C5-6. You think this is below that or that the fusion has failed?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
can be one level above or below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome back,

After going through your query and your follow up query I concluded that it is unlikely that the fusion has failed.It can be one level above(C4-5) or below it(C6-C7). Rough idea can be made if pain is more on upper part of scapula then it is above it and if pain is more in lower part of scapula than it is below it. Rest of things we already discussed.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.

Wishing you good health.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (7 minutes later)

OK, then it's probably the lower c6-7. Surgeon said it could easily fail after surgery to fix c5-6. Heat helps, but ibuprofen is a joke. Doesn't touch the pain.
Thanks for your time.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
it is most likely c6-c7.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back
After going through your query and follow up query it is concluded that it is most likely c6-c7. Rest is already discussed.
Hope your query get answered. If you have any follow up query I will happy to help. Other wise you are requested to close the query and rate it.
Wishing you good health.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju