upper back pain - won't go away

[abhbarry]

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

[briarrose]

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

[LindaRacine]

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

[abhbarry]

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

[abhbarry]

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.

[SIsForSarah]

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!

[LindaRacine]

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

[ldwest]

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.

[briarrose]

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

[debbei]

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?

[briarrose]

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

[debbei]

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.

[naptown78]

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.

[jrnyc]

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

[theizzard]

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