Pinched nerve in shoulder...no fun

[Sniggle]

Was walking my land and fell and caught myself with my left arm. Thought no harm, no foul. Next morning I woke up with pain in the shoulder, arm and chest, numb and tingling fingers. That was 12/15.

I have a doctor appointment on 1/2. It is maybe 15% better than it was the first few days, but no where near sustainable. Before this I lifted at least 4 days a week....haven't since 12/15. Been living off extra strength Tylenol and naproxen.

Anyone been through this and have any advice?

 

[Aerides]

If you have a massage gun I'd try that, carefully, but in the mean time behave in a way to avoid any other aggravation. No lifting, no overhead movements, no raising your arm away from your body. You will need a diagnosis before trying anything else (no trying new stretches, etc.)

Since it's your left, hopefully that's not dominant so this will be easier. Is the doctor's appointment with a specialist with an on-site xray or your PCP?

You might have tweaked your elbow or neck as the numb tingling probably isn't your shoulder (from my own experience), but other than that, hang in there, and hopefully you'll have a good plan next week.

 

[MarieIG]

No, I haven't and am not a medical professional so maybe one will chime in.

I would try to get in a call to a medical office for instructions as to how to take care of yourself until the appointment. That's a long wait (I would not keep the arm immobile unless told to do so by a medical professional but would try not to aggravate it.)

 

[Ian S]

The last time I fell and caught myself with my arm, I tore my rotator cuff. That required surgery and months of recovery. I would warn against lifting exercises: if it's rotator cuff related, you could make it worse! Ask your doc if he thinks you should see a shoulder specialist (orthopedic.)

 

[MRG]

I've had that from being rear ended and other accidents. I have degenerative disc and it damages the nerve. Last time it happened I lost all the strength in my left arm and hand.

Physical therapy, time, and oral or injected steroids can all help. I've had to take opioids when it gets extreme. Diagnostic tests are needed, physical exams and MRIs are used along with the crowd favorite EMG. I remember a PCP saying "numb" meant a consult with a neurosurgeon was needed(he wasn't best PCP)

Best wishes on a full and complete recovery.

 

[Dean56]

The last time I fell and caught myself with my arm, I tore my rotator cuff. That required surgery and months of recovery. I would warn against lifting exercises: if it's rotator cuff related, you could make it worse! Ask your doc if he thinks you should see a shoulder specialist (orthopedic.)

I had a micro-tear in my rotator cuff. Didn't need surgery, it healed on it's own. But I did seek an orthopedic Dr who said it was a micro-tear.

 

[Al18]

I’d bug your doctor and see if he can suggest anything temporary. I would try a heating pad and some Biofreeze on the affected area.

 

[retire to nature]

shoulder brace would help. I have injured my shoulder too and took ibuprofen but since moving all the time, no getting better. I totally forgot about the function of brace so bought one. after wearing, i could feel improvement

 

[gamboolman]

I had herniated discs and had a Neck Fusion for C5, C6 & C7 in 2009. It was successful - like a miracle as I had been in bad pain for the previous 3 years and lesser pain for years before it got bad.

Recommend you discuss getting a MRI with the Doctor(s) as you might have herniated discs.

All the best.

 

[Montecfo]

Initial approach seems logical. If pain allows I would try some gentle stretching perhaps after applying gear. Could be rotator cuff but sounds like it originates from neck.

Go slow and baby it. May take some time. Nerves heal slowly. Maybe some PT after it begins to settles down.

 

[rk911]

I've had tingling (more like a low-level buzzing or vibration) in my left arm for about a year. My neurologist performed some tests and then said to come back in 6-mos for a repeat. The sensations were only occasional. Before the 6-mos were up I had my prostate issues culminating in surgery last July. After my revovery the buzzing/tingling increased to a point where it was difficult to sit at the dinner table or in my home office chair or to drive. The neurologist diagnosed my problem as a pinched nerve in my neck and sent me to physical therapy. I've completed one round of 8-PT sessions and have started a second round of 8 more. I am better although the buzzing sensation still occurs, just not as often and when it dies it is not as intense. It is easier to drive and I can sit at the table and desk for longer periods. I also have a series of exercises to do at home.

 

[marko]

A good chiropractor should set you straight in no time. Between ski accidents, hockey accidents, basketball bumps and a few bike crashes, they've always done the trick for me in just one or two sessions.

 

[pacergal]

Have you seen a dr at all since the injury?
I ask because you could have a fracture, along with injured muscles, tendons.
I would think an X-ray is warranted.

 

[Sniggle]

No Dr visit yet. I expected it to get better, and by the time I realized it was not there were no available appointments until 1/2. Hard time to get quick doctor appointment.

I am doing OK with my friend Tylenol extra strength. 6 days until the doctor appointment.

I have used a vibratory massager on my shoulder when it gets tight (which happens often), and that helps a little. I do not think I broke anything, as I pretty much have full range of motion with my shoulder (although exercising that full range hurts some).

My thumb, index finger and middle fingers of the left hand are numb on the tips, and I get tingling and burning down to my fingers on occasion. Fine motor skill work that requires rigid shoulders and arms is almost immediately painful.

Can only sleep on my right side, and usually get woken up early in the morning from my arm throbbing. This morning the pain seemed to be focused in my elbow more than before.

Thankfully most of the pain, with some Tylenol in my system, has been between a pain index 2-5...mostly 2-3 when sitting down in a reclining chair (which I have done way too much of since this happened). Worst pain occurred when I almost dropped a glass from my right hand, and instinctively swung my left arm into action....buckled me over for a minute or 2.

Really hoping the doc can pump me up with some steroid shots and make it all better.

 

[Aerides]

My thumb, index finger and middle fingers of the left hand are numb on the tips, and I get tingling and burning down to my fingers on occasion. Fine motor skill work that requires rigid shoulders and arms is almost immediately painful.
<snip>
Really hoping the doc can pump me up with some steroid shots and make it all better.

That finger location indicates a wrist thing. Carpal tunnel impingement impacts the first 3 like that.

A cortizone shot works wonders for me, but I hope your doc (and I hope you are talking about an Ortho doc and not a PCP), will get a thorough diagnosis first. You can probably expect an MRI as well as xray.

 

[Sniggle]

Just wanted to give an update. I am 90% recovered from the pinched nerve/damaged nerve/something like that that occurred on 12/14. I am now convinced I pinched a nerve in my neck, not my shoulder.

The first 2 weeks were really no fun, with every movement of my left arm/ shoulder causing pain/burning/numbness, with improvement from day to day being so small that it seemed as if it would not improve without significant intervention.

Sometime around the 1st week of January, the rate of improvement picked up, and I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was able to stop taking pain meds (extra strength Tylenol mostly), and was able to begin to do things I took for granted before, like shaving in the shower. By the end of the 2nd week of January I began to experiment with very light workouts, and although there was some discomfort and numbness during some exercises, it did not persist after I finished. This past week I started to ramp up lifting, very cautiously, and the last 2 days did about 75% of my normal (post injury) sets at about 60% of the normal weight. I am a bit sore (it sucks how fast you lose conditioning at almost 60), which actually feels great!

I still have numbness in my thumb and index finger, and slightly less numbness in my middle finger. There is still lingering discomfort (as I type this I can feel a little discomfort down the back of my arm), my arm still goes numb sometimes, especially bending down to tie my shoe or get the dogs ready for a walk. My left shoulder and arm definitely have some lingering weakness. But all and all, I am so happy to be where I am today vs where I found myself 12/15.

I did discover that health insurance is all but useless for something like this, atleast in the short term. They denied the MRI and nerve conductivity tests in favor of physical therapy for 6 weeks, none of which I could get schedule before February. Maybe in my case denying the MRI/nerve conductivity was the right move, as I seem to working my way to a full recovery, but if I had not significantly recovered, and I had to suffer for weeks with the debilitating pain, I would not be a happy camper. Added to that my company messed up my health insurance at the new year leaving me uncovered until I fixed it...not fun.

I'll be testing myself a little more today, as I need to move hay from a storage barn to the horse barn...great fun.

 

[Aerides]

I do hate when MRI's are denied, as they are fairly cheap, and PT without one can mean you do the wrong things (especially when the neck is the culprit).

But because they are cheap, my approach will be to pay out of pocket/HSA dollars, if it happens to me. Most, if you pay cash, are going to be ~$500 ish.

 

[Closet_Gamer]

I've had many back/neck/shoulder/elbow nerve issues over the years. I think PT is generally very effective but agree an MRI should be done to rule things out. My PPO has always been good about paying for them.

 

[rk911]

My experience with a suspected pinched nerve in my neck.

About a year ago in early 2023 I began to experience an occasional 'buzzing' sensation in my left arm. It was very mild and lasting only for seconds. I was concerned as it was my left arm so I called my PCP who got me in very quickly. After an exam and office 12-lead exam pronounced my heart fit as a fiddle. Blood flow and pulse was good in the left arm.

Suspecting a nerve issue he sent me to a neurologist. Got an appointment a few days later and he ran a test..I can't recall the name...using a probe he shocked various point in my arm and recorded the results. He scheduled a 6-month follow-up.

Prior to that 6-mos scheduled visit I began my enlarged prostate journey. I wrote about it earlier but after 9-weeks wearing a catheter, 4-ER visits and one 2-day hospitalization I had surgery on July 31. Recovery issues kept me in the hospital for an additional 12-days. After recovering completely at home I saw the neurologist last November. He sent me to physical therapy (16-sessions over 8-weeks)and an MRI after the PT.

At it's peak before starting PT I was in really bad discomfort driving our 4-door Jeep. The buzzing sensation had morphed into a burning sensation. Sitting at the dining table and office desk was agony. Interestingly enough I could drive our 2-door Wrangler with little discomfort. Reclining in my chair or sleeping was good.

After the PT and doing the exercises at home I am probabably 90% better. Still get an occasional "buzzing" and almost no instances of the burning srnsation. The MRI confirmed the diagnosis of my neck being the source of the discomfort..."MRI suggests signs of an inflammatory arthritis, like pseudogout, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis".

To the OP...keep pressing for the MRI. PT first may be the protocol but keep pressing to get that scheduled. During my PT they suggested rolling up a thick towel and placing that behind my back when sitting or driving. That helped but I no longer need that. The therapists will likely give you exercises to do at home. Do them as directed!

Good luck! We're all pulling for you.

 

[Sniggle]

Reclining in my chair or sleeping was good.

Reclining in a chair was the ONLY comfortable position for the first 2.5 weeks. Sleeping was not easy, but the Tylenol helped get the pain down to the 2ish level.

I am still trying to decide if I keep my physical therapy appointments which start in early February. I probably should.....

Thanks for the advice and well wishes.

 

[Exchme]

Reclining in a chair was the ONLY comfortable position for the first 2.5 weeks. Sleeping was not easy, but the Tylenol helped get the pain down to the 2ish level.

I am still trying to decide if I keep my physical therapy appointments which start in early February. I probably should.....

Thanks for the advice and well wishes.

I just got done with a round of physical therapy on my neck. I have degenerative disk disease in the neck or as my doctor said "that's a bad looking neck!". It only took a few physical therapy sessions to feel much better and they told me I could keep coming, but there wasn't much more to do other than continue the exercises at home. The main thing they did was on the first session, they the pulled the neck enough to unlock things. I had less pain and better range of motion immediately. So I recommend going for a few sessions and letting them work on you and get a range of exercises you can do at home.