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What Causes Excruciating Pain Between Lower Third Of Scapula And Spine?
Question: i was involved in auto accident in which the force of collision was so great the seat back broke and when the van went into a spin i was pulled from front seat into back. i was turned over and hit shoulder first and then head with neck fully extended to left. my right arm extended fully between the second row seats. i immediately had tremendous pain between the lower third of scapula and spine with greatest pain closer to scapula. the er docs dismissed it as muscle spasms. pain was almost unbearable with deep inhales. one year later i can end up with tremendous pain in same area by having to use the right arm in extended position for anything more than 3 or 4 minutes. deep breathing also causes pain but not to extent it did.
Brief Answer:
Physiotherapy, Spinal brace, Mobilisation, Painful XXXXXXX
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for the query.
According to the history provided, it appears that you are having relentless pain over the upper back, neck and over the shoulder.
Your MRI Report details fracture of the transverse process and spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae and Supraspinatus tear which was repaired.
If you are still having pain or difficulty in lifting the arm, then there could be degeneration of the rotator cuff muscles which include Supraspinatus muscle. There could also be possibility of arthritis or impingement of the acromioclavicular joint which lies above the Supraspinatus muscle and this can damage the repaired muscle and cause futher tears or degeneration.
Regarding your spine, there is no specific operative treatment in the literature for the Seatbelt syndrome where the transverse and spinous process fractures occur. You could apply a Spinal brace as prescribed by the Spine surgeon in concordance with a Spinal orthotist. Avoid taking in deep breath as and when you can. Apply warm packs or hot water bottle to the painful regions to relieve the pain occuring from muscle spasm. Continue physiotherapy from a different Physiotherapist if you aren't satisfied with your current one.
Avoid much twisting and turning the back as this can aggravate the pain. You can also take pain killer and muscle relaxant like Tablet Diclofenac with Thiocolchicoside combination and apply a pain killer gel of the same medicine combination.
I suggest you get examined by a Sports Medicine specialist to look for Sub-acromial impingement, arthritis around the shoulder and a Spine Surgeon and Spine orthotist to get a spinal brace which will offer good support to your back and offer some relief.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
You can contact me on my Healthcare Magic page for any further questions
http://www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-aashish-raghu/61955
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Physiotherapy, Spinal brace, Mobilisation, Painful XXXXXXX
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for the query.
According to the history provided, it appears that you are having relentless pain over the upper back, neck and over the shoulder.
Your MRI Report details fracture of the transverse process and spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae and Supraspinatus tear which was repaired.
If you are still having pain or difficulty in lifting the arm, then there could be degeneration of the rotator cuff muscles which include Supraspinatus muscle. There could also be possibility of arthritis or impingement of the acromioclavicular joint which lies above the Supraspinatus muscle and this can damage the repaired muscle and cause futher tears or degeneration.
Regarding your spine, there is no specific operative treatment in the literature for the Seatbelt syndrome where the transverse and spinous process fractures occur. You could apply a Spinal brace as prescribed by the Spine surgeon in concordance with a Spinal orthotist. Avoid taking in deep breath as and when you can. Apply warm packs or hot water bottle to the painful regions to relieve the pain occuring from muscle spasm. Continue physiotherapy from a different Physiotherapist if you aren't satisfied with your current one.
Avoid much twisting and turning the back as this can aggravate the pain. You can also take pain killer and muscle relaxant like Tablet Diclofenac with Thiocolchicoside combination and apply a pain killer gel of the same medicine combination.
I suggest you get examined by a Sports Medicine specialist to look for Sub-acromial impingement, arthritis around the shoulder and a Spine Surgeon and Spine orthotist to get a spinal brace which will offer good support to your back and offer some relief.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
You can contact me on my Healthcare Magic page for any further questions
http://www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-aashish-raghu/61955
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
the impingement was correected during rotator cuff surgery. i have great range of motion in shoulder. the pain is at lower third of scapula between scapula and spine. twisting back is not painful. bending, extending arm forward but not to side, or really deep breaths hurt.
Brief Answer:
Support spinal bracing needed
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the follow up query.
Extending arm forward causing pain could be due to residual Impingement, deltoid or pectoral is muscle trauma.
The pain between your scapula and spine is due to the transverse process and spine process fractures. This has caused muscle spasm in the muscles alongside your spine.
Consult an Orthotist after getting a proper Spine surgeon referral to get a spinal brave which you can wear which will give you considerable support and relief.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Support spinal bracing needed
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the follow up query.
Extending arm forward causing pain could be due to residual Impingement, deltoid or pectoral is muscle trauma.
The pain between your scapula and spine is due to the transverse process and spine process fractures. This has caused muscle spasm in the muscles alongside your spine.
Consult an Orthotist after getting a proper Spine surgeon referral to get a spinal brave which you can wear which will give you considerable support and relief.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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