Hi, I finally went to the Physical Therapist for my shoulder pain and she says it is not frozen shoulder like the orthopaedic thinks. She says my trapezius muscle has fallen! I have very little muscle activity there. She is thinking the cranial nerve XI has been damaged and my other muscles are compensating for the lack of movement. but my orthopaedic doctor is out for 2 weeks so I won't know anything for sure until I see him.
Anyone experience nerve damage? is it reversible?
What can be done about this?
Thanks, Mary

I have nerve damage from my left neck disection. Righ now I go to PT twice a week. They atttach some sort of device that sends electric shocks to my left shoulder that is supposed to help the nerve heal faster. We'll see.

Hi, I saw my orthopaedic yesterday. He says it can't be nerve damage if I am just now having problems but my physical therapist says if he would just look at how my shoulder has fallen and the lack of firing the nerves has he would change his mind. So, everything is still up in the air. Physical therapy is helping the mobility some.
Anyone having problems like me or am I alone in this one?
Mary

Mary,

I've had neck pain, as well as tingling and weakness in my left arm and hand, that developed years after my treatment, and my MO still believes it may well be related to the radiation. I've had a couple of nerve conduction studies to help the doctors identify where the nerve problems were (in my cervical spine) and PT was able to help me quite a bit once they had the study results to work with.

Cathy

Hi, Mary, just wanted to add our "two cents". My husband has had radiation tx.[+ 2 neck dissections during 2 cancer surgeries]. His right shoulder has dropped almost 4 inches below his left one and he can no longer lift his arms very far above his head.[combing his hair or scrubing his back is a major chore] Our Docs tell us it is a combination of surgical and radiation damage. He has been too sick to pursue PT, but I think that would have helped him if it had been possible. You are not alone-however finding the solution may take some perseverence on your part. Keep at it. Amy

Thanks for letting me know all of these things. I get so frustrated at times because my husband tries to understand and listen but sometimes I wonder is he thinking "she's always complaining." So I try not to complain and come here for some unloading and questions. I am doing physical therapy three times a week and it is getting old. The PT will not give me a time frame other than it will take alot of time. THe orthopaedic says as long as therapy is working we will not seek why this has happened.
Thanks to all. Mary

Good lord the orthopaedic needs to be smacked. No wonder you're frustrated Mary, you're not getting answers to legitimate quesitons. However, PT is the appropriate course right now. If the other muscles are taking over then strengthening exercises is the best way to resolve that. Sometimes it does take a long time but they will progress you to a point where you can follow up with a home exercise plan.

For what it's worth, Jack continues to be seen by a physiatrist, a rehabilitation doctor that specializes in setting up treatment plans individualized to each patient's condition. He's the one that worked with the PT and ST on what muscles etc to concentrate on. It may give you a graceful way out if you need to stay with this orthpeadic - you're just verifying if there is a better therapy here. They are usually associated with major medical centers in the rehabilitation departments. The other route is a second opinion by another orthopaedic.

Regards JoAnne

Hi, Mary, glad to hear you are getting PT. I, for one, believe that it will help you in the long term, plus the fact that you are doing something positive for yourself. Stay strong. Amy