Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain In The Arms Radiating To The Neck

Posted on Sat, 20 Aug 2016

Question: had 5 level neck fusion awaiting a Dr to take on knee replacements.. went to physical therapy yesterday and ALL of the pain I had before my surgery is back. ..traveling down center of arms down neck around shoulder blades front of neck (from her pulling on it) and can hardly walk from her tweaking my right knee. ... n lower lumbar is the same or worse pain than Nov 2015 fusion. .mmmn don't forget to throw in right hip. .I thought PT WAS TO HELP NOT make it worse

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
That is how it goes

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

I am sorry to hear that you are going through so much pain.

I would consider it a necessary pain. Usually physiotherapy aims at stretching the muscle to maximum so that they do not put more strain on the affected joints.

The pain you are feeling is mainly to due to minute muscle fiber injury during stretching. This is essential as the muscles when heal, heal by elongation. Elongated muscles go easy on affected joints.

If pain is too much you can take few days off the PT but do not discontinue. You can also take painkillers coupled with muscle relaxant like Chlorzoxazone.

Hope, I answered your query.

Wish you good health.

Please do ask if any doubts.
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If in future you need to consult me, you can approach me directly through the below link.

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-raju-a-t/60137

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (11 minutes later)

This will be my 4th spine reconstruction. I was with the same physical therapist dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX for 4 years unfortunately my insurance will not cover him and was forced to go to a new facility. I never experienced this with XXXXXXX nor do I expect to experience it's from these people were talking nerve pain and able to move my name and no sleep and the inability to move my neck anyway any direction. I also have the tendons in my arms lengthen due to severe muscle spasms that I have had for years. Currently on zanaflex and Percocet. And I still have pain like this if this is supposed to be Physiotherapy please tell me because I don't think so

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rule out inflammatory cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the information.

Physiotherapy can sometimes lead to such pains but rarely in well habituated person.

I believe here is a need to rule out any systemic inflammatory process affecting the musculature.

Please do share recent reports of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) tests if done. If not done in recent days, please get them done. They can help in identifying the cause for the pain and plan a suitable management at the earliest.

Please do ask if any doubts.
If you are satisfied with the answer, please rate the same with five stars and close.

If in future you need to consult me, you can approach me directly through the below link.

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-raju-a-t/60137

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar