i am a 40 year old male i was involved in a tractor trailer rollover at my job back on 12/02/11 i am still out of work and still being seen by the company's doctors i was just permitted to get an MRI done which showed i was born having os acromiale and also rotator cuff partial thickness tears (multiple), my fingers tingle and hurts so bad i cant pick up a cup of water i have been given two cortizone shots which did no good the doctor is making real light of my problems stating that its not that bad and should heal up on its own i just need to know what is happening with me its been over six months and physical therapist stopped all future appointments untill i get strong enough to do the excises i am also a diabetic what is causing my fingers to hurt so bad and get numb what else do i need to do.
Hi there. I'm sorry that you are having these problems with your back and your arm/fingers.
Are you still online?
Before I begin let me first say that the information I provide is for informational and educational purposes, not a substitute for treatment or evaluation by a live physician.
Since you are not online I will answer your question here. Please feel free to message me or ask follow up questions. Please do not accept the answer until you are satisfied with the information. I usually get online once or twice a day so if you post a message I will usually respond within a day. Thanks.
So are you otherwise healthy other than the diabetes? Is your diabetes under control?
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes loss of sensation and numbess in uncontrolled diabetes but it does not usually cause pain.
The MRI findings of your shoulder showing os acromiale is not a significant finding. An os acromiale is an unfused portion of your the acromion process of your scapula (wing bone) but is not usually a source of pain.
Multiple partial rotator cuff tears in a 40 year old is not rare but it can be associated with pain or weakness when using the shoulder. If you had injections into the shoulder and your symptoms did not change then the shoulder is not the source of your pain.
Have you had an MRI of your back or neck? Disc herniation in the neck could cause pain and tingling to the fingers. Also, nerve compression at the elbow or wrist could?
Have you seen an Orthopedic Surgeon for evaluation? Or only a primary care physician? I would recommend that you see an Orthopedic Surgeon for evaluation. It sounds like you have not had a real diagnosis that would explain the symptoms. If you are not happy with your physician you should get a second opinion. It sounds like that would benefit you, particularly if this was a work injury and you have only seen a company physician.
Most states have a workers compensation system in place that allows the worker to request a panel independent medical evaluation. Please look into this.
I await further information from you so I can help you. Thanks.
i was approved to have an MRI of my shoulder only other than that i just had an xray of my back and neck which i was told was normal also my diabetes is under control and i am pretty much healthy so you think an MRI will narrow down my pain in my hand and that it is not related to my shoulder injury because i will not waste time on the workers comp doctor for any approval for this test if you think its not related to the shoulder injury i would check it out myself.
Yes, an MRI of your neck would rule out pain to your hand that is not related to the shoulder. However, as I mentioned, you hand pain could also be due to compression in your elbow or wrist. What you really need to do is see an Orthopedic Surgeon who will examine you to determine if the wrist, elbow, or neck is causing problems. If he suspects the neck then an MRI will be ordered of your neck. If he determines your wrist or elbow, he will order a nerve conduction study (electromyelogram) which essentially sends an electrical impulse down various nerves to detect if they are compressed and where they are compressed.
Finger pain and numbness are not typically caused by the shoulder.
Good luck to you. Feel free to message me or follow up. You know where to find me. Thanks.