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  • upper back pain - won't go away

    Hi all,

    I thought that I might have some loose hardware because of my upper back pain, but the CT scan didn't show that. I'm wondering if anyone else has had similar symptoms to mine and has found out what was wrong. I have a fusion from L3-T4 and seem to have some sharp pain around T7 or T8, but my whole upper back between my shoulder blades just hurts really badly. It mostly hurts whenever I extend my arms to do something, such as reaching in the fridge, opening a door, switching laundry, putting up my hair, etc. Sometimes it feels like my muscles are ripping.

    I should say I had a baby 3 months ago and I know the lifting and demands on my body probably have a lot to do with it. I'm going to try lidocaine patches as well.

    I haven't had an MRI, but am worried that it might be something to do with a disc, nerve?? Is it possible for damaged nerves in my upper back to regenerate after 2 1/2 years post-op?

    Any clues or advice will be greatly appreciated!
    Best wishes for a Happy New Year my fellow scolis,
    Anya
    "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

    Previously 55 degree thoracolumbar curve
    Surgery June 5, 2007 - Dr. Clifford Tribus, University of Wisconsin Hospital
    19 degrees post-op!

    http://abhbarry.blogspot.com

  • #2
    Hi,

    I've had horrible pain to the left of my right shoulder blade for 9 years. I saw an orthopedic surgeon that my spine surgeon had recommended and he said I had scapular tendonitis. He gave me a cortisone shot and the pain was gone within a few hours. I'm currently in physical therapy for it and it has helped a lot. It could be something like this for you. I also had that feeling that my muscles were being ripped. Is that area sore to the touch and swollen?

    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


    • #3
      Hi...

      I'm also fused T4-L3, and have had left sided scapular pain since my surgery 16+ years ago. It was almost constant for the first 3-4 years post-op, and then became more infrequent, but has never completely disappeared. I also have more generalized pain across my entire upper back from time-to-time. I had no upper back pain prior to my surgery.

      Shell, I'd love to know the specific location of the steroid injection that worked.

      Regards,
      Linda
      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
      Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

      Comment


      • #4
        Linda,
        What do you do for the pain? I'm starting Lidocaine patches tomorrow, but am not thrilled about it, especially since I'm nursing. Shell - yes, I would like to hear more about the steroid shots- how frequently do you get them and what is the location that worked? How did they diagnose it?

        The pain is on both sides of my spine, but also seems to be stemming from the spine around T7/T8 - I can feel my muscles hurt every time I move my arms. . . hmm. Searching for answers. I'm going to PT, acupuncture, and massage therapy next week.

        Thanks,
        Anya
        "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

        Previously 55 degree thoracolumbar curve
        Surgery June 5, 2007 - Dr. Clifford Tribus, University of Wisconsin Hospital
        19 degrees post-op!

        http://abhbarry.blogspot.com

        Comment


        • #5
          Shell,
          I forgot to mention that yes, the whole area of my upper back is very sore to the touch. It has been since surgery though.
          "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

          Previously 55 degree thoracolumbar curve
          Surgery June 5, 2007 - Dr. Clifford Tribus, University of Wisconsin Hospital
          19 degrees post-op!

          http://abhbarry.blogspot.com

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi Anya,

            I had my surgery (T5 to L2) nearly 20 years ago now, and I remember having quite a bit of upper back pain at different points, everything from general achiness to an intense pin pricking feeling every once in a while (usually if I put on a heavy backpack). I always chalked it up to the fact that I kept trying new things that used new muscles (like playing field hockey, Ultimate frisbee and backpacking through Europe). Lifting a new baby would definitely put stress on muscles you may not have used before and/or right after surgery. Most of my problems went away as the years went by.

            I did have a big problem with my upper back a few years ago - muscle pain like you describe in my upper thoracic area. I went to a physiotherapist for it and the exercises she gave me were moderately helpful. More helpful though, was getting a mattress pad and a better pillow (I experimented with different thicknesses and finally found one that worked) and also finding a better position for my computer keyboard.

            I'd just keep experimenting with different changes, if I were you, now that you know it's not loose hardware. Also, keep in mind that muscles start to atrophy while you're recovering from surgery and you may need to find ways to build them up again to deal with the demands of the new baby.

            Hope you find the solution to this pain!
            - 39 years old
            - At age 14, curve progressed from 45 degrees to 62 degrees in two months.
            - Surgery in 1990 at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) with Dr. Letts. Fused T5 to L2. Corrected to about 30 degrees.
            - Harrington rod
            - Herniated disc - L5/S1 - January 2008. Summer 2009 - close to making a full recovery.
            - New mommy as of February 2011
            - Second child - September 2013
            - Staying relatively painfree through physio exercises!

            Comment


            • #7
              Anya...

              I take a prescription NSAID daily, and put up with the additional pain when it hits.

              I think the fact that your upper back is painful to the touch is meaningful. Has Dr. Tribus suggested removal of some or all of the implants?

              --Linda
              Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
              Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

              Comment


              • #8
                I always had of trouble and pain after having my babies. I think caring for them and lifting them even when they are very little can take it's toll.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hi Anya and Linda,

                  http://www.2-boots.com/blog/MuscleTe.../0427back2.jpg

                  My injection site was slightly below the "a" in scapula (in the link above) and it was slightly underneath the shoulder blade. The doctor had asked me if I felt the need to rotate my shoulder so it would pop or crack even though this action was painful. I said yes and he said that is the main way of telling if scapular tendonitis is present. I only received one injection about 6 weeks ago. I can go back whenever the pain comes back to receive another one. He said he would consider surgery if the pain comes back after the second shot. I don't need another shot as of now.

                  I had found a video on this a few weeks ago but now I can't find it. The surgeon showed this surgery on a scoliosis patient. He said that it is really common in people with thoracic curves and rib humps.

                  I hope the pain goes away for you both.

                  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


                  • #10
                    Shell,

                    I'm glad you got some relief. I also have problems in this area from time to time. Usually not horrible but once in a while it's brutal--usually when I'm stressed. Have you noticed any relation of stress to your pain?
                    __________________________________________
                    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


                    • #11
                      Hi Debbe,

                      No, I have not noticed that it is related to stress. The pain increases when I carry my purse for more than 10 minutes. It's also worse when I walk a lot or if I'm running around at work. To me, it seems to be activity related.

                      I hope yours goes away. That pain is horrible.

                      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


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by briarrose View Post
                        Hi Debbe,

                        No, I have not noticed that it is related to stress. The pain increases when I carry my purse for more than 10 minutes. It's also worse when I walk a lot or if I'm running around at work. To me, it seems to be activity related.

                        I hope yours goes away. That pain is horrible.

                        Shell
                        Shell,
                        walking and purses don't usually bother me, but BRAS do. ACK. I've taken to usually just wearing one of those camisoles with the shelf bra.
                        __________________________________________
                        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


                        • #13
                          I've got the upper back pain too ;-(
                          It actually started getting worse about 1 1/2 yrs post fusion but I have a sagittal imbalance which causes me to crane my neck forward and up and causes strain on those muscles. I get relief with heat wraps, and Percocet once/day. It definitely is worse on my more active days and feels like yours, muscles ripping and burning. Located in the scapular region. The Thermocare heat patches are nice too but can be expensive to use every day.
                          May 2008 Fusion T4 - S1, Pre-op Curves T45, L70 (age 48). Unsuccessful surgery.

                          March 18, 2010 (age 50). Revision with L3 Osteotomy, Replacement of hardware T11 - S1 , addition of bilateral pelvic fixation. Correction of sagittal imbalance and kyphosis.

                          January 24, 2012 (age 52) Revision to repair pseudoarthrosis and 2 broken rods at L3/L4.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            i have not had surgery..yet...but when/if i do, they want to ignore the upper back ...40 degree curve...it is treated with botox shots...& just fuse the lumbar curve...61 degrees...

                            the botox shots keep the muscles from spasming (splg?) or bunching up...i get them every 3-4 months...helps immensely...works better than steroids for me...am wondering if it could help any of you guys, even with the surgry/rods??

                            jess

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I have pretty much constant upper back discomfort and pain, which in my case gets much worse the longer I sit. I am almost 11 months from surgery and really this is my main issue other than still needing a cane to walk any distance. I never had upper back pain before either. I am still on painkillers as a result of it never going away. I have started doing pilates on the reformer and I hope that it will eventually help the pain and discomfort.
                              avis
                              1987 Lumbar Laminectomy (forget which levels)
                              2005 A/P fusion, L2 - L5, 2/2005
                              2009 2 Posterior fusions, T6 - Pelvis, 2/10 & 2/18,
                              Dr. Frank Rand, NEBH

                              Comment

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