Just curious to know if anyone else who has had a radical neck dissection experienced major shoulder soreness/pain...

I had my neck dissection almost two weeks ago, and my shoulder and right under my collar bone sometimes feels awful, especially if I stand/walk for awhile or sit in certain chairs. I guess my shoulder is feeling the pinch of not having one of the major muscles there anymore...

The docs said he wanted me to heal up another few weeks before recommending physical therapy to strengthen the other muscles around the one that was lost. Any other tricks to keep the pain down or work out some of the soreness? I feel like Randy Johnson after throwing 135 pitches... OK, not really, but it does hurt...

Hello Eric

I get severe pain from my shoulder. In my case it is due to my lymph tumours damaging the accessory nerve, not the actual surgery. My pain is only relieved with drugs. Possibly your new posture has resulted in some nerve compression which therapy will help when you are able. Physical therapy has helped me with general flexibility etc.

From Helen with love

Eric,

Been meaning to post to you for some time, but haven't had the time. I'm sorry your neck dissection was so painful. I didn't have that experience. As for problems with the shoulder, You probably went back to work too soon. I did the same thing after my first neck dissection and I didn't have any muscle loss. I wound up with severe pain in the back because I was sitting in strnage positions at my desk trying to compensate for the arm.

Here are some things to try until you get to PT. Make sure your desk chair has arms on it so your arm is supported. Support your arm with the other hand under the elbow while walking any distance or if it is hurting. Do not lift anything heavier than a lb. I also supported my arm at all times while sitting or riding in the car. I used a stuffed bear who has been with me for through all my cancer treatments, but a pillow under the arm is just an effective. PT is what you need as soon as possible. The second time around, I went back to work 8 weeks after surgery rather than 8 days, got PT right away, followed my above rules and had no problems at all. Hope that helps.

Take care,
Eileen

Hey Eric,
My Dan had his radical neck dissection Christmas eve, and just started PT about 3 weeks ago. It has helped alot. He was on major narcotics during chemo/rad treatments and didn't have the pain. Once he got off the meds, the shoulder started really hurting...

Take care,
Debbie

Hi Eric, I had pain from the way the shoulder fits and found that stretching by grabing a high door frame (or anything else) and gently hanging from that arm would help alot. In addition my ENT told me to stand near a wall with the affected sholder twards the wall and walk the fingertips up the wall with that arm, Go as high as you can and repeat. You will find that after a while the pain goes away and you will recover most if not all of the strength and mobility of that arm plus the pain will fade.

Hi Eric, I still have trouble with my shoulder and it has been about one and half years since my surgery. I use an excercise ball up against a wall with my arm outstreched and my hand on it and I write out the alphabet. Try to keep from turning your body towards the wall. It really helps strengthen the shoulder.
Sharon

Hi Eric, another one with shoulder pain also, felt like my shoulder was going to come out of it's socket. Helped if I supported my arm for a little while, especially if I was walking long distances. Excersizes everyone mentions above help, once the shoulder heals up some strength building exercises also, light weights at first.

Also, since you're a sports photographer and probably carrying a camera bag, you may want to consider what side of you're carrying the bag on. Used to use a backpack/breifcase/computer case, and like most folks, just slung it around one shoulder. Found later, after about 2 weeks my neck would feel exactly like it did when I had the first tumour in the nodes. Got worried, then realized what might have been causing it. Changed to a rolling computer case and didnt' carry over the shoulder, and pain went away. Don't know how you would deal with that in your case, (no pun intended).