Hi everyone,
I always seem to have some problem creep up on me every few months. I've had problems with right arm pain for several years (feels like a shooting pain, also numb and tingly at times). In the past 2 months, this pain has been happening in my right leg and on the right side of my face. When I started PT about 2 months ago, the physical therapist said my first rib pops out (you can actually see it sticking up behind my collarbone). When this happens, the right side of my face and right arm go numb for awhile. My physical therapist was able to get the rib back in by stretching my neck. Now I'm no longer in PT so it will go back into place when it wants to.
I saw my neurologist for these issues and he ordered blood work, brain and cervical spine MRIs and an EMG of my right arm. Everything came back normal (I do have a very small syrinx around C6-C7, but every doctor I've ever seen said this shouldn't cause problems). I just couldn't believe my EMG was normal. It was so painful and my arm hurt much more than usual during and after the EMG. The doctor said he couldn't see any reason why I was having neurological symptoms and suggested I see my surgeon regarding my first rib.
Finally to my questions:
Is it possible for nerve issues not to show up on an EMG? Could this be vascular rather than nerves? Has anyone had a problem with their first rib popping out post surgery (this has been happening for about 6 months and I'm 21 months post-op)?
Thanks,
Shell
I always seem to have some problem creep up on me every few months. I've had problems with right arm pain for several years (feels like a shooting pain, also numb and tingly at times). In the past 2 months, this pain has been happening in my right leg and on the right side of my face. When I started PT about 2 months ago, the physical therapist said my first rib pops out (you can actually see it sticking up behind my collarbone). When this happens, the right side of my face and right arm go numb for awhile. My physical therapist was able to get the rib back in by stretching my neck. Now I'm no longer in PT so it will go back into place when it wants to.
I saw my neurologist for these issues and he ordered blood work, brain and cervical spine MRIs and an EMG of my right arm. Everything came back normal (I do have a very small syrinx around C6-C7, but every doctor I've ever seen said this shouldn't cause problems). I just couldn't believe my EMG was normal. It was so painful and my arm hurt much more than usual during and after the EMG. The doctor said he couldn't see any reason why I was having neurological symptoms and suggested I see my surgeon regarding my first rib.
Finally to my questions:
Is it possible for nerve issues not to show up on an EMG? Could this be vascular rather than nerves? Has anyone had a problem with their first rib popping out post surgery (this has been happening for about 6 months and I'm 21 months post-op)?
Thanks,
Shell
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