Pain in shoulder and along spine

[theGhost]

I had CD rods implanted down most of my spine in 1988 and have had no problems until 3 months ago. It started with pain across my shoulders to my mid back. All of the muscles in this area have been extremely tight and painful since that time. In addition, another pain, along the spine from the top of the incision to the mid back, occurs when I twist at the shoulders. Oddly enough, turning the pages of a newspaper is the movement that triggers this pain the most. Further, in the last 2 weeks, I have started to feel the hooks dig into the vertebrae when I twist at the shoulders.

I've had several surgeons look via xrays, ct scans, and MRI, but they have seen nothing. Another oddity: when I had the MRI done, it sent a painful tingle down my left leg when it hit the top of the scan.

I've tried PT and pain meds, but they don't do much for me. Any ideas?

[LindaRacine]

I've tried PT and pain meds, but they don't do much for me. Any ideas?

Yes, find a specialist who has a lot of experience in treating patients with prior scoliosis fusions. Where are you located?

[theGhost]

Boston area surgeons

I had my original surgery in MN (Dr. James Ogilvie), but now live in the Boston area. I've looked through the archives here for some recommendations, and would welecome any others.

Unfortunately, there's a 2 - 4 month wait to see any of the spinal surgeons here... With all of the med schools in the area, one would guess that there would be an abundandance of physicians to choose from. Apparently, everyone in Massachusetts has a straight back; It must be that water from the Charles...

[LindaRacine]

Hi Ghost...

You might want to make an appointment with Frank Rand, as he definitely has the experience mentioned.

I know that a few months seems like a long time, but I think most doctors would want you to wait several months to see how the pain develops over time, since the vast majority of back pain is temporary,

Hang in there.

Regards,
Linda

[theGhost]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm on his calendar for late December...

[Flipsie]

RE: Pain in Shoulder and Along Spine

Ghost,

I dropped you an email. Our situations are oddly similar. Right down to the year of surgery and onset of pain. You'll have to let me know how things go with the surgeon.