pain in arms

by Bill Walsh
(Ireland)

I have pain/heaviness in both arms when either are abducted. Pain is normally in deltiods. Even turning head can bring it about. Consultant says MRI scan is unremarkable.

Hello Bill,
I have several questions. Do you have any pain at night, when your arms are in the neutral position, when you are going about your life without lifting your arms?
Did the consultant check your pulse? In particular, did turning your head and looking up with a deep breath affect the pulse? (Adson's test). We are looking for a Thoracic Outlet syndrome, characterised by pain and a heavy feeling in the arms when you lift them.

Did s/he examine your neck? Kemp's test, ULTT, compression tests? Reflexes, numbness, weakness of the muscles?

It could also be a shoulder problem? Do movements of your arms hurt. Opening the car window, changing gear, brushing your hair, lifting a full pint of Guiness?!

As you can see only a thorough examination can detect the cause of your pain, and you don't tell too much of what the consultant did, or didn't do.

In a shoulder problem, or a thoracic outlet syndrome, the MRI would normally be negative, unless there was a large cervical rib or a pancoast tumour in the lung, both rare.

Look for a thorough, competent chiropractor in your neck of the woods. Take a copy of the MRI with you.

I hope this has contributed.

Enter "thoracic outlet syndrome", "interscale triangle, and "frozen shoulder" for example in the search this site at C-H.

Dr B