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Locked Cervical Joints? SIGH!

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Posted 1/3/2008 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
I went to PT last night---told them how I am dizzy, nauseous, kind of wobbly----and of course, the neck/shoulder pain (OMG)!

So, I did a few light exercises, had stim/heat applied, then the PT did some "feeling around" on my neck/shoulders---and said my cervical joints are "locked"?  She also said my spine is pushing up into my head which is why I am getting the headaches I have, etc....

I just want to cry!  sad    Why is this happening?  How do you get your joints "unlocked"?  Will this resolve itself?  Can anyone comfort me with good news about this---or am I going to walk around with dizziness/wobbliness forever?  I don't like it?  I"m only in my 30s----and very SAD!  HELP!

Thanks!

Laurel

Posted 1/3/2008 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Laurel,

Please try to relax. This is a PT who told you this...not your doctor. She has no business diagnosing you and is likely not right. Please get to your doc and ask him/her about it and get some screening to see if there truly IS a problem in the cervical area. I've never heard of 'locked joints' but that doesn't necessarily mean they don't exist...just don't let her be diagnosing you, please.

Hugs,
Chutz
Posted 1/3/2008 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Chutz. I have never heard of locked joints either, and I have been in the medical field for 17 years. With it being a therapist who told you most likely to them "locked joints" means your muscles are tight and your joints don't move as freely as they should. You should continue to see them so they can work on electrical stimulation, heat, ice, massage, range of motion exercises, and maybe traction therapy.
Posted 1/3/2008 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Mochiah/Chutz! I will try to keep that in mind---I have two appts (one w/ Primary MD, and one with a back/sports med. specialist) in the next couple of weeks! Should I ask to see a Neurologist for this? I try to relax---but sometimes, it's not easy for me---:(

Laurel
Posted 1/3/2008 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
I think the back/sports med doctor will know the best course, I wouldn't think you would need to see an Neuro as of yet.....but obviously your doctor will know better what to do!

I know it is hard to relax at times like this, but being tense certainly cannot help the situation...so remember to take time to take care of you. Just taking deep breaths and relaxing your shoulders can help immensely.
Posted 1/3/2008 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
I have locked joints in my hips and knees sometimes...I wake up with locked joints sometimes and I take Robaxin for that and find that Robaxin seems to prevent my knees and hips from locking while I am sleeping. Locked joints are very painful...its the muscles that are so tight that its hard to unbend my knees and hips and I have to coax them to unbend and then I take my cane and limp over to the tub and run a hot bath...hot water helps loosen up the joints.
Posted 1/3/2008 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Lucia - your decription perfectly explains it....that it isn't actually the "joint" that locks, but the muscles surrounding things getting so tight. I do not even want to imagine how painful that is for you. I know that the cramping I get is so severe it makes me catch my breath and want to cry, what you and hopeisreal have sounds more painful.

Oh how many times I have wished I could sit in the hot tub, but I can only do that on days when I change my patch...take old patch off, sit in hot tub, cool down then put a new patch on!!

My heart goes out to you two, it just sounds horrible to have to deal with.
Posted 1/4/2008 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lucia and Mochiah---I appreciate your support and advice....i am going to try the hot bath thing----and relaxation techniques---and the back specialist! :) In the meantime----heat, heat and hot baths--plus my stretching! :)

Laurel
Posted 1/4/2008 1:03 AM (GMT 0)

Mochiah said...
Lucia - your decription perfectly explains it....that it isn't actually the "joint" that locks, but the muscles surrounding things getting so tight. I do not even want to imagine how painful that is for you. I know that the cramping I get is so severe it makes me catch my breath and want to cry, what you and hopeisreal have sounds more painful.

Oh how many times I have wished I could sit in the hot tub, but I can only do that on days when I change my patch...take old patch off, sit in hot tub, cool down then put a new patch on!!

My heart goes out to you two, it just sounds horrible to have to deal with.

 Sue-  I, too, have had my hip joint lock up on me and it hurts! I've had it happen after laying on hard surfaces like exam tables or during cold weather, or after laying in one position in bed all night long. I can attest to the fact that soaking in a warm tub of water helps to relax the muscles enough to be able to get moving.  Muscle relaxers also help.  But, it's not fun to wake up in the morning and not be able to move! 
Posted 1/4/2008 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
In that condition it sounds like even getting INTO the warm tub of water is difficult, and to have the pain in the hips and bum...only some of the largest joints/muscles in the body...why can't it be somewhere more tolerable, like your pinky!!!!!!

I go to my doctor tomorrow and am going to ask about the muscle relaxer. I'll let you know what we end up trying.
Posted 1/4/2008 5:32 AM (GMT 0)

Mochiah said...
In that condition it sounds like even getting INTO the warm tub of water is difficult, and to have the pain in the hips and bum...only some of the largest joints/muscles in the body...why can't it be somewhere more tolerable, like your pinky!!!!!!

I go to my doctor tomorrow and am going to ask about the muscle relaxer. I'll let you know what we end up trying.

It is, but once you're there, it's a godsend.  Even a hot shower works wonders with very stiff joints. 

Please let us know.  I've given my support for flexeril, but Lucia takes Robaxin and I've also tried that as well.   Either one is really good, IMHO. :)

 

Posted 1/4/2008 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
Laurel, your post title caught my eye.  I was just diagnosed with arthritis in 4 of the 7 vertibrae in my neck.  I'm 34.  Big shock.  It's not rheumatoid arthritis either (which is usually what comes with lupus), it's plain old arthritis.  But I think I know why the PT would call it being "locked".  Because of the arthritis, my vertibrae don't sit together properly.  Arthritis deteriorates the bone and disks.  so in a sense, the vertibrae can "sort of" lock up and not move properly. That is what causes all the pain.  That's for anyone with arthritis anyway.

 

Have you had any xrays of your neck?  They can diagnose arthritis (degenerative disk disease) by simple xrays.  I start my physical therapy this month.  I also get dizzy, nauseated, headaches, and feel just plain awful.  I hope you get the answers and treatment you need.

 

All the best,

Ginny

Posted 1/4/2008 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
Ginny:

I had a spine (including neck) xray way back in May---they told me that I have mild-arthritis in my Lower Back! LOL----nothing about my neck! But---then again, I also had some serious pains in my mid-back at that time----so, who knows, maybe they were focusing on my mid-back, and overlooked my neck?

I took Flexerol at the beginning of all this mess---it made me way to sleepy (with 3 little kids--I can't afford sleep :) ), so I stopped taking that---maybe I should talk to primary MD about a muscle relaxer that 'doesn't' makeyou drowsy? Is there such a thing?

Laurel
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