Question
My brother is having pain in the shoulder..since 2 yrs..This is diagnosed as Cervical Strain,,in which two bones in the shoulder had to be joined from the childhood..The scan report says its not joined.Age of my brother is 23yrs...Can you suggest me any treatment of Therapy for its permanent cure..

Answer
Dear Jai,

This doesn't make any sense.  A cervical strain would be injury either form an acute trauma or overuse to the muscles in the neck.  This can be self limiting, or require treatment to improve posture, reduce muscle spasms, and pain, but should not be a longstanding problem.  These cases usually do very well in short period of time with pain reduction and improved function.

Now, concerning the bones in the shoulder, I am not quite sure what you are talking about. The report you have quoted needs more specificity. If there has been a fusion of bones in the shoulder, I would need to know what bones and what joint spaces have been affected.  For instance, the acromioclavicular joint (AC) is in the shoulder, and if fused could cause shoulder pain.  If the ligament which holds that joint together has been torn, that could cause significant pain.  

Conversely, there are disorders in which extra bones have developed in the neck to the shoulder, and this can cause problems.  Known as omovertebral bones, cervical ribs, and disorders such as Klipple-Feil syndrome.  Without a more descriptive report of what bones are involved, what ligaments, or specific muscles, I am at a loss of understanding of the problem.  If you can give me a more in depth description of the anatomy, please write back.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net