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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Occasional Tingling Or Numbness On The Shoulder Blade?

Occasionally I get a tingling/numbness that starts as a heaviness bren my shoulders blades and runs down both arms. It s happened at different times and it doesn t seem tl matter if I m sitiing or walking or whatever my position is. The tingling and heaviness lasts about 15 or 20 seconds each time.
Mon, 21 Mar 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Thank you for your query.
Tingling & heaviness are indicative of nerve compression injury.
The spine is made up of many vertebrae interspersed with discs that cushion the joints and enable flexibility. The spinal cord runs through the canal formed by the vertebrae and gives off nerves at different levels to innervate different parts of the body.
When the discnor vertebrae wear out, or is damaged by trauma or stress,the adjacent nerves get compressed leading to tingling, numbness, pain.
I would do a X-ray of the spine after a clinical exam to look for neurological deficits. If required I would do an MRI to assess the extent of damage.
Other thoracic cavity pathology (heart, aorta) should also be ruled based on clinical suspicion.

Hope this helps.
Please get back to us if you need further clarification.
Wish you good health
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What Causes Occasional Tingling Or Numbness On The Shoulder Blade?

Thank you for your query. Tingling & heaviness are indicative of nerve compression injury. The spine is made up of many vertebrae interspersed with discs that cushion the joints and enable flexibility. The spinal cord runs through the canal formed by the vertebrae and gives off nerves at different levels to innervate different parts of the body. When the discnor vertebrae wear out, or is damaged by trauma or stress,the adjacent nerves get compressed leading to tingling, numbness, pain. I would do a X-ray of the spine after a clinical exam to look for neurological deficits. If required I would do an MRI to assess the extent of damage. Other thoracic cavity pathology (heart, aorta) should also be ruled based on clinical suspicion. Hope this helps. Please get back to us if you need further clarification. Wish you good health