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Suggest Treatment For Upper Back Pain

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Posted on Sat, 5 Apr 2014
Question: sir, I am 21 year old male, I got an injury near my right scapula while doing pullups in gym at the age of 19. From then I got a constant discomfort and pain in my upper back. I also felt severe needle pinch pain sometimes during first 9-10 months. Now luckily i am freed from that needle pinch pain, but a constant pain is always there. I have tried many exercises and i am doing running regularly but no benefits. This has also resulted in weakening of my whole body, the muscles from my chest and back have almost disappeared. I would also like to mention that i have never felt any numbness in my arms or legs. I am able to do all daily works except heavy ones. My Xray and MRI reports are normal. I have already consulted an orthopedist and neurologist. These days I have started feeling weakness and severe pain in my lower back also. Can you please tell me which specialist to consult or any other suggestion in this regard. thankyou in advance....
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Adequate protein and TENS therapy will help Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX I have gone through your query. As you are able to run around it’s suggestive of good health. Regarding your pain in the shoulder region, short wave diathermy and TENS therapy from a qualified physiotherapist will help. The loss of muscle mass can be due to dietary lack of adequate protein . My advice would be take diet (per day) rich in calcium(1ooomg) and vitamin D(daily dose is 1000 unit),protein 1gm/kg body weight . Beside that multivitamin and mineral like tab supradyn will help. For immediate relief to your backache you may take thiocholchicoside and ibuprofen, along with proper posture training and exercises under guidance will help. Since these are prescription drugs you need to contact local doctor. In your follow up query please tell me about your blood sugar level, Haemoglobin, weight and height. Take care and wish you good health. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (2 hours later)
Please be informed that my name is XXXXXXX not XXXXXXX But viewing your advice it seems that it is concerning me and name was typed with mistake. So, Sir thank you for responding so soon. My blood sugar level is normal. In fact my younger brother is type 1 diabetic and I have checked my sugar levels many times using his glucometer. I had also once gone through Hb test which was found normal. I understand that this type of shoulder and back problems are best treated with physiotherapy and I will take your advice about short wave diathermy and TENS therapy seriously. But sir I want to understand my problem in detail. Actually it is two years now and I have consulted many doctors and I have been already told many times to take healthy diet with protein and calcium and i have also taken calcium tablets and other capsules containing vital nutrients many times and also taking currently. I take milk two times a day and do regular workouts. Actually I am not worried about muscle strength. Let me tell you my observation on the problem, as I had mentioned earlier that I got my shoulders get injured during gym exercise two years ago. I was doing pull ups and i think my shoulder blade(i think it is called scapula) muscles are ruptured due to excess strain and the problem is more in right shoulder. I have also observed that when(rotate) I move my right shoulder blade there is some irregularity as compared to the left one and the irregularity is that the right shoulder blade is very free to move and comes visibly out as compared to left one. Actually sir at first sight I look like a normal physically fit boy. So, the doctor I visit does not take me that seriously they always suggest me some medicines and try to get rid of me. I hope you are the doctor I have been searching for a long tome. Actually sir I am not in hurry to find the cure, my problem has not been even diagnosed yet. I dont even know that physical exercise will help me or make it worse. From you I just want your elaborated opinion and what do you think have happened in my back. I am worried because I have now started feeling severe weakness and pain in my lower back also for a few months. I just want know how much should I worry and what could have happened in my back and what preventive measures should I take. With due respects.... Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (5 hours later)
Brief Answer: Get diabetic profile done Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX It’s good to see you again. Thanks, for showing faith in me. . I have gone through your reply ,glucometer is not the right choice to rule out the diabetes. For that please get diabetic profile (blood sugar fasting and 2 hour after meal ,glycosylated haemoglobin, urine routine and microscopic) done ,it’s essential. Regarding, shoulder problem based on your description it seems you have developed “winging of scapula” secondary to nerve palsy(long thoracic nerve of bell).This can be confirmed by neurophysiological studies like EMG/NCV. There is also a clinical test that is – just push the wall with both of your hands fully straight (extended), with shirt off and ask someone to see whether both shoulder blade plate( scapula) are at the same level or one is lifted. Please reply with the asked details and any query of yours along with height and weight . Lastly, I regret for writing the wrong name. Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (24 hours later)
Dear sir, Thank you very much for examining me so seriously. Now I am sharing more details. height 5 feet 8 inches weight 59 Kg I have uploaded some images of my back in the positions asked by you. I would also like to tell that I have recently gone through the EMG/NCV test following the prescription of a neurologist which I have also uploaded. In this test my both arms and legs were examined and rest is written in report(which I could'nt understand). As far as I have browsed the symptoms and causes of scapula winging, it is very close to my case. And I think I am suffering from the same. In your reply please tell me the brief simplification of the EMG test uploaded by me. And also please tell if any further test is needed. Or any other suggestion. Lastly, I am sorry to say that I have not gone through diabetic tests But I have checked my sugar levels of fasting and after meals which are essentially normal. I very politely want to say that I am aware about all the symptoms of diabetes. And I dont think I am diabetic. But I will definitely get the tests done if you will recommend these now after seeing my uploaded details. Now I will again thank You for having such a healthy discussion with me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (15 hours later)
Brief Answer: Needs physical examination Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX I have gone through your detail reply .Your EMG/NCV study is suggestive of sensory and motor neuropathy more in the lower limbs as compare to upper limbs but as of now you do not have noticeable changes/symptoms in lower limbs as per your version. It needs physical examination to confirm. Muscle (EMG) study is normal for both upper and lower limb. What about vitamin B12 level in blood? I have seen photograph’s, which confirm the winging of scapula .Now, regarding further line of treatment, i have gone through textbooks which suggest muscle transfer to stabilize the moving scapula. These are not the routine surgery and also one has to weigh risk/benefit ratio. Having said that my advice would be please visit the department of orthopaedics AIIMS Delhi. Meanwhile continue with the TENS therapy. Please, give me your email id , so that i can share any information further. Wish you good health .please note my direct link to contact- http://bit.ly/drmchugh Take care and do not loose hope.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (21 hours later)
Sir my email id is : YYYY@YYYY My query to you is that in these circumstances am I allowed to do running and other exercises to strengthen the muscles holding the scapula along with TENS Therapy? And also please tell how necessary is to go for surgery? Should'nt I first go for physiotherapy? And please reply me frankly. After all I am 21 Year old Adult and understand everything. If surgery is must then please be XXXXXXX I want to make another request here that it would be very helpful for me if you send some documents regarding this disease through e-mail. Thanking You.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Surgery is not a MUST Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX It’s good to see you and happy holi Yes, you can carry on the usual exercise schedule except avoid lifting heavy weight. As far as decision of surgery is concern as I told you earlier it has its own merit and demerit’s. These are uncommon surgery that’s why I advised you to visit AIIMS, Delhi for a physical examination and a fair discussion regarding surgery If you can do activities of daily living without much of suffering, you do not need surgery and yes you can definitely give a fair trial to physiotherapy. Be sure from my site whatever articles and information have with me will be shared with you via e mail. Take care and wish you good health
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
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Answered by
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Dr. Mukesh Chugh

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :1997

Answered : 1619 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Upper Back Pain

Brief Answer: Adequate protein and TENS therapy will help Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX I have gone through your query. As you are able to run around it’s suggestive of good health. Regarding your pain in the shoulder region, short wave diathermy and TENS therapy from a qualified physiotherapist will help. The loss of muscle mass can be due to dietary lack of adequate protein . My advice would be take diet (per day) rich in calcium(1ooomg) and vitamin D(daily dose is 1000 unit),protein 1gm/kg body weight . Beside that multivitamin and mineral like tab supradyn will help. For immediate relief to your backache you may take thiocholchicoside and ibuprofen, along with proper posture training and exercises under guidance will help. Since these are prescription drugs you need to contact local doctor. In your follow up query please tell me about your blood sugar level, Haemoglobin, weight and height. Take care and wish you good health. Regards