Question
I am a 48 year old female with right arm, neck and shoulder pain. I broke my neck in Oct 04. The neurologist I saw said a 4 level cervical fusion was needed. The two vertebrae in the middle were the worse, they were crushed. I was injured on the job so workers comp fought against the 4 level. After second and third opinions, the surgeon fighting and a labor board hearing, he did a 2 level with them understanding the others would have to be done eventually. At that point it was almost a year post injury. I had the fusion, with donor bone and all that hardware. I had to wear a boner stimulator for 3 hours a day for 9 months, which I did religiously. I went to PT for a long time and did ok with pain meds. I met my MMI and was sent to a pain specialist. I was a 損ain?to the pain specialist because I am allergic to almost all pain meds and have asthma which limits what I can take. I wanted my life back, drug (narcotics) free so I did a lot of research and Radio Frequencies looked like something that would help. It took months and months of nagging and some major per swaying from my husband he referred me to a Dr that does the RA surgery. I had my first one done about 17 months ago. They worked great for me. I was told the nerves would grow back and I might need a second RA in a year or so. Agreed, I could not make it without Tramadol but I did great. I have 搇ivable pain? OK That is my history?. NOW? I decided to go back to work 7 months ago to an office environment. Within weeks my right thumb starting killing me. I worked for weeks in a splint to keep my thumb from moving had a shot of cortisone and it got better. Then all of a sudden, about four months ago I started dropping things from my right hand. The pain soon followed, unbearable pain, in my right arm shoulder, neck and thumb. It was so unexpected. I could not work it was so bad. My Dr knew it was close to the time for another RA and thought that would take care of it. Were ever this pain is coming from, the RA did not help. SO now the doctor says it is not neck related. Workers comp says OK, it is up to me to find out what it is. He referred me to Ortho which did x-rays on my shoulder that showed no problem. He gave me steroids and ordered PT and a visit a month later. I could not wait a month. I did not feel it was my shoulder. The next day I went to my medical doctor and she ordered an MRI of my shoulder so it could be ruled out. The MRI of my shoulder shows a little arthritis. That抯 it, nothing that would cause this pain. I have had an MMG but haven抰 gotten the results yet. I don抰 care if it is my insurance or workers comp that pays I now this is pain I can not live with. I don抰 know where to go from here. My neurologist has moved on to a big city so I can抰 see him. Where do I go from here? I want to go back to work while I still have a job.


Answer
Dear Melinda,

I am so sorry you have had to deal with this. If I were you I would contact your Neurologist and ask him for a referral. But make sure you get the best Neurologist you can find.

I do know one of the best in the Midwest, he is in Wisconsin, his name is Dr. Cully White DO - Midwest Neurosurgical Associates. His phone number is (414) 649-3232 and his address is 2901 W Kinnickinnic River Pky, Milwaukee, WI 53215.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
       Ken