I've had 3 decompression surgeries. First one was 07/27/09, then 08/02/10 and 03/01/12. I have severe nerve damage on the left side of my head since my 2nd surgery, but I've never had any problems using my arms (except for all the numbness). For some reason, my left arm started to hurt (like muscle pain) about 2 months ago. It gradually got worse and now I can't use it at all. It hurts so bad just to lift my arm. Has anyone else experienced this?
Juda,
I had this problem for several years. It sort of crept down my arm until I couldn't use it. If I did it would start the whole pain spiral going and I would get a terrible head ache. After I was diagnosed and decompressed it got a little better but then I really had to work at getting it back to use. I went to massage therapy and she worked alot on my shoulder and the muscles in and around my arm pit. My physical therapist also worked on it by slowely and carefully stretching it out and working onn my range of motion. It took a long time and we had to go slow so that it did not increase my pain. It's still week and is my "bad arm" Many people that have Chiari have pain concentrated on one side of the body. Mine is my left all the way down to my toes but it took me almost 5 years of awful pain and symptoms before I was diagnosed in 2001.
I would definitely talk to your doctor like Beeba said in order to rule out something more serious. If you can find a good physical therapist they may be able to help you get some mobility back. Always remember if they do something that is uncomfortable you can always say "no" during a treatment. With Chiari "no pain no gain" doesn't apply.
It cut off half of my reply!!!
The things you can try at home is use Arnica Cream for sore muscles or a cream that I have been using that has Arnica in it along with other remedies. It’s called Hylands Leg Cramp Ointment but it works on any painful muscle and also has a warming effect with wintergreen.
Here are the links along with reviews at Amazon. They are available at most health food stores also. A little goes a long way and the tube last a long time.
The links aren’t working I’ll add them later.
There is also a trigger point (knot in muscle) in the arm pit that effects range of motion and causes referal pain on the back of the upper arm and shoulder and a bracelet type band of pain around the wrist. It’s called a Subscapularis Trigger Point.You can Google it …If you want you can massage it by using your thumb to find the tender point and then slowely applying pressure by sqeezing it. When you first massage it it will be very sore but as you do it some of the tenderness will ease up. Just go slow and do it a little at a time for several days in a row to see if it helps. The muscle will try to go back to the knot. After you rub it put one of the creams on it and on that side of your neck and shoulder and any other painful spot. Just go slow so you don’t flair yourself up. As with anything if it makes you feel worse or hurts too much don’t do it.
I would definitely check with your doctor to rule out anything serious. I hope some of this helps. It’s not fun having your arm stuck and useless. Mine is still weak nad I favor it. I try not to use it and I over compensate with my right arm but it’s not stuck any more.
Good Luck…Wendy