Suspected Chronic Levator Scapulae Syndrome

[zac1968]

Thanks for the details response Niall. Here is the video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsYkf4FMrvg

Here is a summary of my scan results

• EMG – Nerve conduction studies and needle examination were normal
• Right Shoulder MRI – Supraspinatus tendinopathy with partial thickness articular surface tear involving the mid to posterior tendon fibres, measures 12mm AP x 12mm transverse and involving up to 50% of the tendon thickness.

Moderatesubacromial/subdeltoid bursitis
Moderate AC jointhypertrophic degenerative change with oedematous marrow within thedistal clavicle and marginal osteophytic spurring. Type II acromialmorphology with mild anteroinferior spurring.
No evidence of labraltear or paralabral cyst.

• Power in all muscle groups nornal. No atrophy/fasciculations.
• EEG: No epileptiform activity
• ECG: Normal sinus rhythm
• FBC, UEC, Magnesium, calcium: normal
• ESR 8, CRP 1
• CK 463
• TSH normal
• MRI Brain – December 2012

Unfortunately, allsequences have been degraded by patient motion artefact. There is noevidence of recent cortical infarction on DWI. Cerebral parechymalvolume is preserved. There is no evidence of mesial temporalsclerosis with preservation of the hippocampal complex volumes. Thereis no hydrocephalus or surface collection. The main dural venoussinuses are patent with preferential drainage of the superiorsagittal sinus to the left. No focal intra-cranial abnormality isidentified.

• MRI Cervical Spine – December 2012

Again, patient motionartefact degrades all sequences. In the scanning position, there isnormal vertebral alignment. The spinal canal is capacious. Thevisualised cervicothoracic cord is normal in calibre and signalthroughout. There is minor mid cervical degenerative spondylosiswith anterior osteophytic lipping at C5/6 and C6/7. There is nosignificant focal disc protrusion or neural impingement. There is noaccelerated facet joint arthropathy.
There is Minor midcervical degenerative disc disease. Otherwise, normal examinationwithin the limitations of the patient movement artefact

In my efforts to find a cure for my condition I have tried shoulder braces, taping the shoulder, Acupuncture, Deep tissue massage, Chiropractor, Aromatherapy, Hypnosis, Meditation and an Inversion Table.

Cheers
Zac

[nmarman]

sorry thought i replied but must not have updated

Interesting.

The first video it looks like your AC joint is popping in and out. Even through the shirt.

Do you have a visible bump above nipple to the side of the collar bone. when standing naked chest and arms hanging?

If this joint is severely unstable it would explain why you feel better when lying down. e.g. scap is stabilized when on back.

It would also potentially explain why you got worse with drugs that slow down neurological firing of muscles. as it would inhibit the control of the shoulder girdle.

The interesting investigation would be x-ray but not lying down you would have to do it under load to see the joint in a normal circumstance. The supraspinatus tendon damage just further exaggerates the shoulder girdle instability.

Have you had a standing loaded X-ray? taken