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Can ultrasound scan detect shoulder/back pain cause?

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Posted 8/10/2015 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I was wondering if anyone knew if an ultrasound scan could show the cause of upper back/shoulder blade pain? Or even trapped nerves etc?

I have had agonising pain between my shoulder blades, predominantly on the right side for months, it is constant and can be pretty sharp when moving.

I had a normal chest X-ray from the front last month for chest pains I have been getting, which apparently looked fine, so I am guessing if anything was wrong with my spine that would have picked up any bone issues?

I am thinking it could be a trapped nerve perhaps which I assume don't show on a simple chest X-ray, I know mri's can show nerves but I was wondering if anyone knew if an ultrasound could show nerves and other causes of this sort of pain?


Any help or info from people who have had similar issues would be great!

Thank you!
Posted 8/10/2015 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Eevie, unfortunately xrays do not show nerve problems. Its detected by the type of symptoms the person is experiencing. Plain film xrays are only good at detecting things like fractures & breaks. The best thing is to get an MRI of the cervical spine for starters. An ultrasound would not be my choice of an xray. The MRI is more definitive than any of these xrays. It is possible to have neck issues & not have neck pain & have pain such as what you have going on. If nothing is revealed in the cervical area then start looking into the shoulders & thoracic spine.

The MRI is something your PCP can order & depending on the results it can be determined what type of specialist needs to be involved.

I hope you can get some answers & relief.
Posted 8/10/2015 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much for your reply, thats very helpful thank you.

I will try to get an MRI booked as soon as possible.
I was also hoping to see a chiropractor to see if they can offer some relief to my pain.

Thank you again
Posted 8/10/2015 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Eevie, I would not consider chiropractic care until I have a diagnosis & know what shows up on the MRI. Many times if there is a spine issue chiropractic care can cause further problems.
Posted 8/10/2015 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
I'm with Susie.
Posted 8/10/2015 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for both of your replies,

thats a shame about the chiropractor as I am completely housebound with agoraphobia and have been for years so i was hoping to get treatment in my home to see if it helped the pain between my shoulder blades before having to have scans as this will prove very difficult for me being housebound.

I was sort of looking forward to the possibility of having treatment at home.
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