Tweedle Beetle Tri-Atheletle

Am I better? ...well yes and no. The good news is that I have considerably less pain in my shoulder, my arm, my rotator cuff and pectoral muscles. The bad news is that the numbness in my thumb, my index finger and my middle finger has not subsided at all. I have to see this as progress but I can't say that I am not seriously concerned with the numbness in my hand. As I have been told, numbness is always attributed to nerve stresses. Worst case scenario is that the stresses are induced by some sort of disk issue - this is bad... really bad and can require time off to heel, steroid bursts, steroid injections or surgury. Best case is that the inflamed, angry muscles surrounding the nerve are so swollen that they are affecting how the nerve is working. The chiropractor really believes that the nerve issues are due to issue #2 (swollen and angry muscles), as opposed to a disk issue. Technically, I believe this to be referred to as [scalene myofascial pain syndrome].

Take a look at the following picture... see the blue and purple... ya I could have drawn this photo myself based off of my symptoms...

Further research while writing this entry has surfaced some other scary things. My symptoms match (almost exactly) a condition called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Here is a description:

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a rare condition that occurs when there is compression of vessels and nerves in the area of the clavicle. This can happen when there is an extra cervical rib or because of a tight fibrous band that connects the spinal vertebra to the rib. There may be pain in the neck and shoulders, and numbness in the last 3 fingers and inner forearm. Thoracic outlet syndrome is usually treated with physical therapy which helps strengthen and straighten out the shoulders.

Here is what it all looks like (see photo on left):  
 
It is important to note that I broke my clavicle on the left side twice which could be the skeletal contributor of these issues I am having (word to the wise - don't try to compete with telephone poles!) I spoke to the chiropractor this morning and annoyingly he said "oh, well it sounds like the symptoms match - we can do some tests for that!" Maybe we should have done the tests first...

I just got off the phone with a orthopedic surgeon who is a close family member of mine. While he is 2000 miles away and couldn't examine me personally, based on my comprehensive description of my symptoms he is inclined to believe that this may be a herniated disk issue. I am more confused than ever and more frustrated than ever. I would hate for this blog to turn from the battle with a triathlon to a battle with a bad back...

According to one article I read, {Scalene Trigger Points: The Great Imitators: By Donald Murphy}, Scalene myofascial pain syndrome is easy to confuse with the clinical presentation with that of cervical disc herniation, thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, subclavian venous thrombosis or subclavian atherosclerotic disease, all of which are relatively uncommon in comparison. Of course, these disorders must be ruled out before a definitive diagnosis can be made.

I do have another acupuncture appointment this afternoon which will be a much gentler treatment for the pain. I think at this point I will take it easy through the holidays and get into orthopedic specialist ASAP when the holidays are over.