“Pain behind shoulder blade becoming unbearable?”
I am a 17 year old female. I started having shoulder pain about five years ago. The pain feels like it's directly behind my left shoulder blade. I am left-handed. I started noticing the pain when I started playing trombone, so we all figured it was that. I never went to the doctor. The pain is now almost unbearable. The pain radiates through my whole left shoulder blade. My upper spine is tender, even with nothing touching it. When I'm wearing shirts with tags, even the tag grazing against my spine is painful, without any pressure. When I'm sitting down and using my computer, for example, my left arm feels like it falls asleep quickly. I used to feel relief when I would lay on my side but that doesn't help anymore. I also have pain in the middle and bottom of my spine sometimes. I also sometimes get pinched nerves/nerve pain in my legs, pelvis, and arms. Do you think it's possible I have some sort of spinal injury? What would you diagnose me with?
Female | 17 years old
Complaint duration: 5 years
Medications: none
5 Answers
OrthopaedicSurgeonOrthopaedicSurgeon
Ear trombone player with left sided shoulder pain. I also play the trombone. I am also lefthanded. I am one of the rare people who play their trombone lefthanded. My band director was a clarinet player, and he didn't notice that I put the trombone together so that I hold it with my right hand and move the slide with my left hand. now that I've done this for 60 years, I don't think I could learn the other way. More about me before I get to you. At the age of 72, I've developed arthritis in my right thumb. I don't think it's from the trombone, but it certainly makes holding the trombone up very difficult. because of this, I wear an orthopedic thumb brace that is useful because it holds the thumb and a fixed position. However, I have also looked on the Internet and found several thumb braces for trombones. The problem for me is that they only work if you hold the trombone right handed. I cannot use them, because they don't work in a mirror image. There's only one, a strap from Yamaha, which is symmetric and so I can use it. I don't think it works, as well as the rigid braces that clamp onto the trombone would be. now to you. Take a good look in the mirror and standing still. Are your shoulders at equal height? If you have a curvature of the spine or neck, which is called scoliosis, this could be causing your problem. You don't have to be a trombone player to have this condition. it is relatively common, maybe 5 of the population. Females have it more than males. The best way to tell is to bend over and have somebody palpate your spine and see if it seems straight. If this is the case, then you could talk to your family Doctor who could order some basic spine xrays not CTscans, and if scoliosis is found, then refer you to a spine doctor. At your age, correction could be a good thing. If you wait until you're more mature, the improvement that you might get may be a lot less.
Dear trombone player with left sided shoulder pain. I also play the trombone. I am also lefthanded. I am one of the rare people who play their trombone lefthanded. My band director was a clarinet player, and he didn't notice that I put the trombone together so that I hold it with my right hand and move the slide with my left hand. now that I've done this for 60 years, I don't think I could learn the other way. More about me before I get to you. At the age of 72, I've developed arthritis in my right thumb. I don't think it's from the trombone, but it certainly makes holding the trombone up very difficult. because of this, I wear an orthopedic thumb brace that is useful because it holds the thumb and a fixed position. However, I have also looked on the Internet and found several thumb braces for trombones. The problem for me is that they only work if you hold the trombone right handed. I cannot use them, because they don't work in a mirror image. There's only one, a strap from Yamaha, which is symmetric and so I can use it. I don't think it works, as well as the rigid braces that clamp onto the trombone would be. now to you. Take a good look in the mirror and standing still. Are your shoulders at equal height? If you have a curvature of the spine or neck, which is called scoliosis, this could be causing your problem. You don't have to be a trombone player to have this condition. it is relatively common, maybe 5 of the population. Females have it more than males. The best way to tell is to bend over and have somebody palpate your spine and see if it seems straight. If this is the case, then you could talk to your family Doctor who could order some basic spine xrays not CTscans, and if scoliosis is found, then refer you to a spine doctor. At your age, correction could be a good thing. If you wait until you're more mature, the improvement that you might get may be a lot less. Sent from Gmail mobile.
It’s difficult to say without a thorough examination. I recommend that you go to your primary care doctor. It is conceivable that physical therapy may be very helpful for you as well is an anti-inflammatory.
Vernita D. Hairston, MD
Vernita D. Hairston, MD
Without performing a complete evaluation and examination, I would not diagnose you. This can be a very complex issue with many factors and should be evaluated in person. I would highly recommend you seek consultation with a local Physical Therapist to get the answers you are seeking. Good luck, God Bless and Happy Holidays
You need to do an MRI for a good diagnosis.
Dr. Youssef Rizkalla, PT, MS, DPT
Dr. Youssef Rizkalla, PT, MS, DPT
