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Shoulder Pain. MRI Shows DJD At AC And Glenohumeral Joints. Have Bowel And Bladder Issues. Any Advice?
Question: Hello, I had Cervical fusion surgery in 2007 for a herniated disc at C4 to C6. I fell from a stool in Dec 2011 and hit my left shoulder against the wall. I started having immediate pain and I thought i had fractured my collar bone..went to ER and xray did not indicate a fracture.
Now Aug 2012 I am having serious shoulder pain radiating from my neck. Ortho ordered MRI and result was as follows:
Lt Shoulder - DJD at the AC and glenohumeral joints with potential marro reconversion type changes in the bony glenoid and proximal left humerus. No evidence of rotator cuff pathology
Neck - Central disk osteophyte complex at C6-7 just below the level of fusion causing bilatreral nural foraminal narrowing left greatere than right.
The Dr stated that he has no experience with the C spine and has referred me to a neurosurgeon...what does this mean, is the any type of conservative therapy or laser surgery that can be done and is the shoulder pain relative to the neck pain..I have also had bowel, bladder issues and numb sensation of the left arm. I can't even stand for clothes to touch the top of my left shoulder? Any advice
Now Aug 2012 I am having serious shoulder pain radiating from my neck. Ortho ordered MRI and result was as follows:
Lt Shoulder - DJD at the AC and glenohumeral joints with potential marro reconversion type changes in the bony glenoid and proximal left humerus. No evidence of rotator cuff pathology
Neck - Central disk osteophyte complex at C6-7 just below the level of fusion causing bilatreral nural foraminal narrowing left greatere than right.
The Dr stated that he has no experience with the C spine and has referred me to a neurosurgeon...what does this mean, is the any type of conservative therapy or laser surgery that can be done and is the shoulder pain relative to the neck pain..I have also had bowel, bladder issues and numb sensation of the left arm. I can't even stand for clothes to touch the top of my left shoulder? Any advice
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The shoulder joint has age related degenerative changes that are causing you the pain. The main problem seems to be the nerve root compression at the cervical spine level due to osteophyte formation. This is causing the pain and numbness- the nerve compression symptoms.
Most cases responds to anti-inflammatory drugs with muscle relaxants and cervical collars.
It is important to correct any posture imbalances that you may have, whether in a sitting posture or in a standing posture. It is also very important to make sure that the pillow you use under your head is the correct size and thickness for your body.
Avoid stretching of shoulders, lifting any heavy weights and add diets XXXXXXX in calcium, vitamins especially vitamin B 12 and vitamin D to daily routine. More severe cases may need steroid injections or surgical involvement especially when it is associated with degenerative disc disease. But this should be kept as last resort.
Physiotherapy and exercises also help to increase mobility in your cervical spine. This involves doing flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation exercises and should be done under a physiotherapist’s guidance.
Also get your vitamin D levels estimated and if they are less, then you may need vitamin D supplement sachets.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Thanks for posting your query.
The shoulder joint has age related degenerative changes that are causing you the pain. The main problem seems to be the nerve root compression at the cervical spine level due to osteophyte formation. This is causing the pain and numbness- the nerve compression symptoms.
Most cases responds to anti-inflammatory drugs with muscle relaxants and cervical collars.
It is important to correct any posture imbalances that you may have, whether in a sitting posture or in a standing posture. It is also very important to make sure that the pillow you use under your head is the correct size and thickness for your body.
Avoid stretching of shoulders, lifting any heavy weights and add diets XXXXXXX in calcium, vitamins especially vitamin B 12 and vitamin D to daily routine. More severe cases may need steroid injections or surgical involvement especially when it is associated with degenerative disc disease. But this should be kept as last resort.
Physiotherapy and exercises also help to increase mobility in your cervical spine. This involves doing flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation exercises and should be done under a physiotherapist’s guidance.
Also get your vitamin D levels estimated and if they are less, then you may need vitamin D supplement sachets.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
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
Answered by
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