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Suggest Treatment For Pulled Muscle In Upper Shoulder Blade
Question: I have a muscle tear in the upper left side shoulder blade. I e3xperience on going pain, sometimes greater than other. Surgeon won't operate. Says common injury and just get use to it. The pain has spread to the left arm, with pain and tingling down to the fingers. Mornings are generally less pain, afternoon and evening can be severe. taking usual pain pills, aleve and ibprofen, with limited help. tried chiropratic and accupunture minimal results. what can I do next?
Brief Answer:
Use: Hot compress alternating with cold compress; rest; keep elevated
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have carefully gone through the details provided by you. When a muscle is overstrained, it gives rise to what we call 'pulled muscle' and sometimes it undergoes partial tear from 1/4th upto 3/4th. There can be localized stiffness, discoloration and bruising. Unless the tear extends to more than 3/4th, surgical repair is not required and the body takes care of it. I understand that you are not getting relief, but you would have to be patient. Treatment is supportive and consists of 'PRICE':
* P - Protection: Apply soft padding to minimize impact with objects.
* R - Rest: Rest in order to accelerate healing and reduce the potential for reinjury.
* I - Ice: Apply ice for upto 20 mins at a time, to reduce swelling by reducing blood flow to the injury site. Hot compress may also help.
* C - Compression: Wrap the strained area to reduce swelling with a soft-wrapped bandage.
* E - Elevation: Keep the strained area as close to the level of the heart as is conveniently possible to keep blood from pooling in the injured area.
If you really need, take analgesics only in full stomach.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Use: Hot compress alternating with cold compress; rest; keep elevated
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have carefully gone through the details provided by you. When a muscle is overstrained, it gives rise to what we call 'pulled muscle' and sometimes it undergoes partial tear from 1/4th upto 3/4th. There can be localized stiffness, discoloration and bruising. Unless the tear extends to more than 3/4th, surgical repair is not required and the body takes care of it. I understand that you are not getting relief, but you would have to be patient. Treatment is supportive and consists of 'PRICE':
* P - Protection: Apply soft padding to minimize impact with objects.
* R - Rest: Rest in order to accelerate healing and reduce the potential for reinjury.
* I - Ice: Apply ice for upto 20 mins at a time, to reduce swelling by reducing blood flow to the injury site. Hot compress may also help.
* C - Compression: Wrap the strained area to reduce swelling with a soft-wrapped bandage.
* E - Elevation: Keep the strained area as close to the level of the heart as is conveniently possible to keep blood from pooling in the injured area.
If you really need, take analgesics only in full stomach.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thanks for the recommendations. Why is there like a stabbing effect (very painful and blocks movement) when turning head to left and reaching up or down, which then causes pain and tingling in left arm, sometimes very intense. Should I consider treatment such as cordizone or other pain management procedures. I have heard of a procedure Oblasion or Ablation, it has to do with nerve deadening. Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
Depend upon the judgement of your doctor on whether cortisone is required
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking back.
The same nerve supplies multiple regions. So, when there is movement of regions that are supplied by the same nerve that innervates the injured muscle, the stabbing pain results; as if the movement is involving the injured muscle itself.
Cortisone (I hope that you got the spelling wrong), is a steroid that when injected locally, helps in reducing inflammation which may be related to the pain. So, cortisone may help in healing by cleaning the area up and by reducing the pain. Whether cortisone is required in your situation can be commented upon only after clinical evaluation which your doctor will be able to do. Leave this decision entirely upon him.
I would not suggest going in for nerve ablation.
Follow the simple measures that I have mentioned in the last answer and depend upon the judgement of your doctor. That is all I have to say in this regard.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Depend upon the judgement of your doctor on whether cortisone is required
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking back.
The same nerve supplies multiple regions. So, when there is movement of regions that are supplied by the same nerve that innervates the injured muscle, the stabbing pain results; as if the movement is involving the injured muscle itself.
Cortisone (I hope that you got the spelling wrong), is a steroid that when injected locally, helps in reducing inflammation which may be related to the pain. So, cortisone may help in healing by cleaning the area up and by reducing the pain. Whether cortisone is required in your situation can be commented upon only after clinical evaluation which your doctor will be able to do. Leave this decision entirely upon him.
I would not suggest going in for nerve ablation.
Follow the simple measures that I have mentioned in the last answer and depend upon the judgement of your doctor. That is all I have to say in this regard.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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