Severe shoulder pain

[mishci16]

Several months ago, a huge muscle spasm formed in my right shoulder, after performing a flick in field hockey. The muscle swelled up from my shoulder blade to the top of my trapezius muscle. I applied ice and was given a voltaren injection. Since then, the swelling has not gone down after numerous amounts of physio, chiropractors, and doctors appointments. I had an MRI scan which showed that my trapezius muscle was in a ball with scar tissue surrounding it. The doctor said my muscle had torn right in the middle, but could do nothing for me. He also included that I had degenerating discs in my upper neck. He gave me medication to treat my pinched nerve. The pain has worsened and I experience tingling down my arm to my last 2 fingers. I also experience a numbing sensation on and off during the day. When I rotate my shoulder, I can hear a clicking sound from my shoulder blade like somethings trapped or caught on it.

Can anybody help or give me any advice on what to do?

[Heidi]

Hi

What did your physio treatment involve?
Sports massage and lots of stretching exercises would be what I would recommend. Have you tried this?

[mishci16]

Since I've been there I have not had any physio treatment as it would worsen the pain. I do have a TENs machine, do you think that would work?

Do you have any idea what this is?

[mishci16]

The doctor was not sure of his diagnosis of the tear in my trapezius. He came to this conclusion as thats the only explanation he could give, with regards to how the muscle reacted to form a ball. My shoulder blade is not lying straight and is being pulled. I live in Zimbabwe so resources are very limited. The doctor I saw lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.

[Heidi]

A TENS machine may help to at least ease the pain and may relax the muscles which would probably make a difference, so I would say it is worth a try.
I think you need to get some soft tissue work on it, in the form of sports massage, myofascial release etc.

[mishci16]

Well this last weekend I went to see a sports science doctor. He did various tests to test my range of motion. And has diagnosed me with having a ruptured levator scapulae. He was very amazed that for 2 years I have not had surgery. He added that this is very rare and took photos of the golf ball size muscle protuding out of my shoulder.
Acupuncture, apparently should take away some of my neural pain that has been giving me so many problems. Do you know anything else about torn levator scapulae?
He also added that my shoulder is hanging by itself in my back, with no stabiliser, I cannot move my arm up or down. Therefore, hardly any range of motion.

[Heidi]

Hi
Wow, that is pretty rare. I have not heard of anyone doing that before.
What has he suggested you do? Is surgery an option?