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SEVERE left shoulder pain - 12 weeks post-op & cannot use left arm!

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  • SEVERE left shoulder pain - 12 weeks post-op & cannot use left arm!

    Hi everyone-

    I am having such severe left shoulder pain that has been going on for about 3 weeks. I cannot use my arm anymore. My back feels fine and my neck is now about 80% healed. I called my doctor's office today and they recommended I see a shoulder specialist. The nurse told me it could be from a previous injury, but my left shoulder NEVER EVER hurt before this surgery. I was ready to leave the hospital on day 5, but then this same shoulder went into terrible spasms and I was in the hospital for an extra 3 days.

    I spent the entire day today in tears, trying to hold them back from my kids. They are asking me why my shoulder hurts. They thought I would be cured from all pain because I had the scoliosis surgery. It kills me to see them see me like this. I had to lie in bed today for 4 hours in the middle of the afternoon because any position killed my shoulder. I think it may be severe tendonitis or a rotator cuff injury by looking at pictures & researching online, but not sure. But I know this is all because of the surgery. I have never ever in my life had pain like this. I feel like I am sinking into a severe depression. It is terrible not to be able to use an arm. Then my 3 year old will bump into me and I just scream outloud it is that bad. I'm kind off also sad my scoliosis surgeon, who i don't see until December, doesn't do more to address the situation. They just told me to find a local orthopedic shoulder specialist. Has anyone had pain this bad in their shoulder area immediately after surgery, and did it go away? I need some hope. I still take oxycodone (which I really don't even need for my back anymore) and muscle spasm meds but nothing works with the shoulder pain. Tried ice and heat, no relief from that either.

    Just wanted to see if anyone out there had shoulder pain and how long it took to go away. My son started kindergarten this week and my daughter preschool and I have been so depressed over this pain that it is so hard for me to show excitement for them. I can't even get them dressed for school! Any I am on my own now, as my babysitter left today and my husband works extremely long hours.

    Anyway, sorry for the sob story, I just know you all understand pain. I just wish I had an easier recovery like alot of you on the board. Right now I'm wishing I never had the surgery. My back pain pre surgery was nothing like this shoulder pain. The shoulder pain is getting worse and worse everyday. Now it's to the point I get electrical shocks anytime I move my left arm. Guess I will be looking for a shoulder specialist tomorrow morning. I'm wondering if it is better to go to a neurologist for this type of problem? My fusion started at T3 and I wonder if it is a nerve related to the T3 area. It definately feels nerve related, not muscle related.

    THanks for listening,
    JenM
    Last edited by JenM; 09-02-2010, 08:34 PM.
    Surgery date: June 8, 2010 with Dr. Boachie
    Thoracic curve: 55 degrees, corrected to 25 degrees
    Lumbar curve: 58 degrees, corrected to 27 degrees
    Posterior-only surgery, Levels T3-L3
    31 year old mother of 2 young kids

  • #2
    Hey. I thought about calling you today since I had my 2 week post-op appointment yesterday, but time slipped away from me until just now. Since my last surgery, I've had some sharp pains in my left upper back that both my doctor and I felt could be related to the retractors they used during surgery. It's quite possible the issues you are having with your shoulder could be due to positioning or instruments used during surgery. It seems a little late for this to be 100% related to your surgery, but anything's possible.

    I absolutely hate to hear that you are having another issue like this since your surgery. It seems that both of us have had one thing after another since the first part of June, huh? I feel like I haven't even had a summer and missed out on doing a lot of the "summertime activities" like swimming and vacations that our family would normally do. I wasn't even able to take my daughter to her first day of school or my son to his first day of Mother's Morning Out. I am amazed and admire you for being able to do as much as you have done lately, like your driving. My reply sounds like we are having a pity party for two, doesn't it?

    Do you have a general medicine/family doctor that you could visit to ask about your shoulder? He or she may be able to contact your surgeon and request that he sees you sooner than December to rule out any complications? You may could also check with your insurance company about this. You may have a case worker that could also assist in finding out the best direction to take. (I was told that Blue Cross Blue Shield had a case worker for everyone that reviewed and coordinated prior authorizations. Most people were not even aware of this person.) Hope that helps some.
    Jenny

    Comment


    • #3
      I can't help with any surgery or pain issues, but can't you get your babysitter to stay longer with you? It sounds like you really need the help! Sorry if you've already talked about why she's leaving at this point, but I don't read much of the surgical forums.

      Hope you feel better soon!

      Comment


      • #4
        Ooooh Jen. I think you need a Neurologist because the electrical pains sound like a badly pinched nerve to me?! An MRI should pick up on the problem. Have you had any x-rays or an mri? Please don't waste another day, get an appt with either a neurologist or an orthopedic shoulder specialist (I'd go for the neurologist I think) asap! Please keep us informed with how you go. I'm really cringing for you here. Wish I could help you with the kids.
        Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
        Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
        T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
        Osteotomies and Laminectomies
        Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

        Comment


        • #5
          JenM,
          My advice (if you haven't already done so), call Dr. Boachie NOW! As far as i am concerned, you are still under his care and regardless of whether it is surgery related or not, he should at least, see you really soon. The fact that it came on after surgery and whilst you were still in the hospital indicates to me (i am not a Dr and don't pretend to be) that he should have taken care of it, there and then. If this were me, i would definitely be banging down my surgeons door for some answers. I hope you get some relief somehow. I really do feel for you as i think nerve and bone pain would have to be the worst form of pain. Do you hve pain midway in your upper arm as i do know that this is neck related. Best wishes. Hope you get some answers.
          Vali
          44 years young! now 45
          Surgery - June 1st, 2009
          Dr David Hall - Adelaide Spine Clinic
          St. Andrews Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
          Pre-op curve - 58 degree lumbar
          Post -op - 5 degrees
          T11 - S1 Posterior
          L4/5 - L5/S1 Anterior Fusion

          Comment


          • #6
            hi Jen
            only wanted to say that a doctor told me a long time ago...that when any part of the body gets numbness, tingly, etc, it is most likely nerves...something pressing on a nerve, pinching a nerve, damage to a nerve, etc...
            i do know that my left side sciatica, which now extends from my hip to the bottom of my foot, feels like that...numb/tingly......to me it is like an electric current running through the length of my leg and out the bottom of my foot!

            i dont know what the doctors will find with your situation.....but i do know one thing that stops muscle spasms so they cant happen...botox injections...they freeze the muscles so they cannot move! i have been getting them in my thoracic area every 3-4 months for a few years now........i used to get painful spasms in the upper left thoracic region...and my back would be in knots...sometimes it got to the point where i felt like i had a monkey riding on my back! but the botox shots have worked like a charm!
            too bad they didnt work for lumbar area when we tried them there! but i take any relief i can get!

            i hope you find some help, or a doctor who will guide you to the answers that you need...

            best regards...
            jess

            Comment


            • #7
              Jen

              Wow, you are having a tough recovery!

              I guess there are some lessons learned here about picking Doctors who are too busy to follow up with their patients......

              I know that surgeons can be hesitant to intervene surgically right after these surgeries, but a 10 minute visit really isn't asking all that much. That needed visit would help the patient a great deal, and a referral would be the right thing to do if needed, instead of just leaving it up to the patient to try to figure out who to go to, while on medications.

              You are under Dr Boachie's care right now...I would expect an appointment with him in a "reasonable amount" of time. I'm sure most would agree? I would call them. Hurricanes and Labor day are not the best times for appointments, a week sounds reasonable.

              It also seems that you would be due for a follow up on your neck.
              Hang in there, you will get through this.
              Ed
              49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
              Pre surgery curves T70,L70
              ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
              Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

              Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

              My x-rays
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

              Comment


              • #8
                Ed & Vali-

                I could make an appt with Dr. Boachie, but it is about 2 1/2 hours away from my house. I think that's why they said to go and see local shoulder specialist. They also gave me 2 names of orthopedics who specialist in the shoulder at the Hospital for Special Surgery. The only problem is is that my husband is all out of time at work. He took 3 weeks off for my surgery in June. He doesn't even have 1 day to take off for the remainder of the year. So I just made an appointment for next Fri. with a local shoulder specialist. I don't think I can wait until then because the pain is so bad, but everyone I called has a one week wait. The pain is so bad I really don't even know what to do. I can't even make a simple meal for my kids.

                I'm just fearing that I would need a shoulder surgery because of this but I know there was nothing wrong with my left shoulder prior to surgery. Also, I can't speak to Dr. Boachie over the phone, I just get his nurse. I'm thinking I'll send him an email today. I just cannot believe shoulder pain can be this painful. Feels like there is a bad tear or rip is my shoulder, maybe I even have a frozen shoulder, which I read can be common after surgery.

                Thanks everyone for your responses. I think everyone in my family is getting sick of all the painful things that have happened to me that they don't want to hear it anymore. They just blow me off. That's why posting on this forum has helped alot!

                Have a good day,
                JEnM
                Surgery date: June 8, 2010 with Dr. Boachie
                Thoracic curve: 55 degrees, corrected to 25 degrees
                Lumbar curve: 58 degrees, corrected to 27 degrees
                Posterior-only surgery, Levels T3-L3
                31 year old mother of 2 young kids

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by JenM View Post
                  Ed & Vali-

                  I could make an appt with Dr. Boachie, but it is about 2 1/2 hours away from my house. I think that's why they said to go and see local shoulder specialist. They also gave me 2 names of orthopedics who specialist in the shoulder at the Hospital for Special Surgery. The only problem is is that my husband is all out of time at work. He took 3 weeks off for my surgery in June. He doesn't even have 1 day to take off for the remainder of the year. So I just made an appointment for next Fri. with a local shoulder specialist. I don't think I can wait until then because the pain is so bad, but everyone I called has a one week wait. The pain is so bad I really don't even know what to do. I can't even make a simple meal for my kids.

                  I'm just fearing that I would need a shoulder surgery because of this but I know there was nothing wrong with my left shoulder prior to surgery. Also, I can't speak to Dr. Boachie over the phone, I just get his nurse. I'm thinking I'll send him an email today. I just cannot believe shoulder pain can be this painful. Feels like there is a bad tear or rip is my shoulder, maybe I even have a frozen shoulder, which I read can be common after surgery.

                  Thanks everyone for your responses. I think everyone in my family is getting sick of all the painful things that have happened to me that they don't want to hear it anymore. They just blow me off. That's why posting on this forum has helped alot!

                  Have a good day,
                  JEnM
                  Jen,
                  if you like I can recomend the guy I saw for my shoulder after my surgery--he's in New Brunswick and I did well with him. I can tell you that my frozen shoulder pain was very intense.

                  BTW, Dr. N also told me at my 5 month checkup to go see a shoulder specialist.
                  __________________________________________
                  Debbe - 50 yrs old

                  Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                  Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                  Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                  Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                  Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                  Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                  Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I am also having serious left shoulder pain & left pain which my doctor said he does not think is from my surgery. He feels that it is from my neck. That is why he sent me for the MRI on Wednesday. I have an appt with him on Tuesday to talk about the results. I wish that you could find a doctor that could get you some answers to your pain and your questions.
                    You are in my prayers

                    Melissa

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Jen,

                      At this exact moment, I wish that I lived closer and could give you and your family several hours of relief. That's the only problem with this forum- the physical distance between us all...

                      When I anticipate surgery, I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to have small children relying on you during recovery and when things go "wrong". Maybe it's wishful/hopeful thinking, but I am betting that your shoulder pain will subside over time without surgery, but it doesn't seem fair in the interim.

                      When I was in Boachie's office one time, his nurse (or assistant) popped their head in the door to tell him that someone had come to the office unexpectedly and should she tell him to come back another time. His response was that he would see him as the patient probably had some questions. It was just a momentary exchange but it struck me how vulnerable as patients we are to the decisions of the office army. I believe that if you really need to see him you could, but it doesn't sound practical for you presently.

                      What can I say? You have your own team out here rooting for you in cyberland....Hope you can feel it a little and tomorrow is better. Yikes

                      Hugs,
                      amy
                      Amy
                      58 yrs old, diagnosed at 31, never braced
                      Measured T-64, L-65 in 2009
                      Measured T-57, L-56 in 2010, different doc
                      2 lumbar levels spondylolisthesis
                      Exercising to correct

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Hi Jen,

                        I've had problems with my right shoulder for years (this was actually before my surgery so it may not be relevant to you). I have pain shoot up and down my arm and it gets really tingly and sometimes almost numb. I also feel the need to rotate my shoulder, hoping that it will pop and give me some relief. I talked to my surgeon about it several times and he ordered a cervical MRI. They found a small syrinx in my spinal cord, but it supposedly it is too small to cause any sort of discomfort.

                        My surgeon sent me to a shoulder specialist last fall and he said I have scapular tendonitis. He gave me a steroid injection at the bottom of my shoulder blade and I felt relief within an hour. The doctor said that feeling the need to rotate your shoulder to bring relief is usually from scapular tendonitis. I did PT, which also helped, but my pain is gradually coming back. The physical therapist said that my first rib pops out behind my collarbone and this is probably what is causing a lot of my issues (you can actually see it sticking out sometimes!). When it does pop out, the right side of my face and my arm go numb.

                        I saw my surgeon a few weeks ago and he thinks I have thoracic outlet syndrome (based on the rib popping out). He suggested I go back to the shoulder specialist to see what he thinks, but I have yet to do that.

                        Anyway, I don't know if this is helpful to you at all. I just wanted to share my story in case something here clicked with you.

                        I hope you are feeling better soon!!

                        Shell
                        Chemist, 30

                        1998- 18 degrees
                        2003- 33 degrees
                        2005- 37 degrees
                        2006- 44 degrees
                        May 2007- 47 degrees
                        December 2007 - 50 degrees X-ray

                        Surgery May 27, 2008
                        Fused T1 to L2
                        Curve corrected to 15 degrees X-ray

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Amy,

                          Thanks so much for all of your support, I really appreciate it! I scheduled an appointment to see a shoulder specialist this coming Friday, so I'll post as soon as I find out what's going on. It almost feels like my shoulder is dislocated. Today I went to physical therapy and they wouldn't even touch my left arm. They just did a test in order for me to get more pt visits (since I already had 18) and measured that my left arm has 0 degree rotation in the left shoulder. I left almost in tears as the pain is so bad and nothing is helping. I starting popping oxycodone again and that won't even help the shoulder pain. Friday can't come soon enough! I've been driving for about 6 weeks already on my own and now my arm is so painful that whenever I go over a bump in the road the nerves in my shoulder are just screaming! Makes me not want to drive again.

                          Also, Debbie, I am going to try the shoulder specialist in the area. If I don't get a good feel for him and if he doesn't work, then I'll try yours in New Brunswick. I'll keep you updated. Thanks alot for the suggestion.

                          Thanks everyone,
                          JenM
                          Surgery date: June 8, 2010 with Dr. Boachie
                          Thoracic curve: 55 degrees, corrected to 25 degrees
                          Lumbar curve: 58 degrees, corrected to 27 degrees
                          Posterior-only surgery, Levels T3-L3
                          31 year old mother of 2 young kids

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Hi Shell-

                            Thanks for sharing your story. I think my situation is different from yours because my left shoulder, the one that is causing me horrific pain now, was pain-free before my surgery in June. I had bad pain in my other shoulder before surgery, my right shoulder, which extended into my fingers but that went away after my back surgery. Funny now how the pain has switched shoulders! I actually think my left shoulder may be dislocated. My PT today showed me in the mirror that my left muscles in my shoulder have totally atrophied and that my nerves have no muscle to press upon. I have an apt. with a shoulder specialist on Friday so I'll see what he has to say. I am so sick of going to all of these doctor appointments...I just want instant relief! I'm only 31 and sometimes I feel like I'm 80!

                            Anyway, I hope you get some relief for your shoulder pain. Keep me posted!

                            JenM
                            Last edited by JenM; 09-07-2010, 08:46 PM.
                            Surgery date: June 8, 2010 with Dr. Boachie
                            Thoracic curve: 55 degrees, corrected to 25 degrees
                            Lumbar curve: 58 degrees, corrected to 27 degrees
                            Posterior-only surgery, Levels T3-L3
                            31 year old mother of 2 young kids

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              hi JenM
                              i feel so bad for you, dealing with all this pain, not even in your spine!!
                              how frustrating!

                              am just wondering, until you get to the specialist...does heat help at all? hot shower, moist heating pad...?
                              i realize not much matters besides finding out what it is and how to fix it...
                              i just hope you can get a little relief and sleep while waiting for your appointment...

                              hoping they find a solution for you soon...
                              jess

                              Comment

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