United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Last week I discovered that I have tissue swelling right over the clavicle on the injured side. It is just above the clavicle bone at the base of the neck, just where it is supposed to dip just a bit and create that hollow. It's also a bit tender if pressed. Anyone ever experience this with their injury?

Wendy

My husband has extreme swelling and tenderness in the same spot, he has been told it is just from his BP being so messed up. He has a lot of muscle spasm also, so when he is in spasm he hurts more in that area.

Beth

Thanks Beth. I figured this was BP related. I don't know what you mean by extreme in your husband's case, but mine is enough that there is no hollow there, and it feels kinda gel like under the skin. What has the doctor said in your husband's case? Edema?

It is common for me. Sometimes it just happens and I can not pin point it to anything specific that I have done. Other times it happens because I have over done it in some way. It is sometimes associated with tightness in my shoulder blade as well. It certainly causes tightness in the chest area.

It has gotten rather large in the past. The norm is about golf ball size. Sometimes bigger.

When I have swelling there it is my cue to stop, relax and rest!

Hi Joy, so what has been said about your clavicle swelling?
You say your shoulder blade gets tight, you know, the dorsal scapula nerve runs through this clavicle area too. Mine also gets sore in the blade and dead center between the two at times. I figure the dorsal nerve is my problem since they tested the Long Thoracic not long ago and found it to be fine. Mind you, they tested much of the rest that go to the arm and fine them okay as well, but I still have episodes of numbness in that arm.
Wendy

Mine is associated with the TOS (thoracic outlet syndrome) and BPI. Apparently I was not satisfied with just injuring the brachial plexus! LOL You may want to have that thoracic area retested. Sometimes the test are not accurate because of the person giving the test. If possible find another office to perform the EMG. You may find your results will be different.

Don't settle. It took me a year and a half to even find a doctor that knew what was wrong with me. I knew there was a problem. But, none of the 30+ doctors I went to had a clue. You know what that is not fair. They did have a clue. It was just wrong!

Thanks Joy. I was wondering about the TOS with me as well because when I lay on my right side to sleep and try to just lay the left arm down,(even on a small pillow in front of me) the arm starts to kinda throb. I have to put the pillow between my arm and my torso to raise the arm up a bit to make it stop throbbing. I am thinking this has more to do with blood flow rather than nerve problems and a repeat on the EMG. Perhaps you're thinking of the Long Thoracic Nerve and scapular winging with the EMG.

I go to a neurologist on Weds. and I will mention this throbbing arm to him because I may have detected a slight problem with the pulse in that arm when holding it just right.

Oh I am far from settling Joy, considering I'm just 3 days away from 4 month post accident and things are not much changed. I even mentioned that to the PT today.
Wendy

I have to sleep with a pillow between my arm and body in order to get relief. I have a small pillow shaped like a pig. "Piggy" goes everywhere with me! Another shape that works well is a heart. Both tuck right up into the arm pit perfectly.

I will lose my pulse at different positions as well. Actually the pulse is weak in that wrist to start with. But, when they start to move the arm it "shuts off" at certain points. Still does to this day. There is a connection to the nerve but at this time I can't remember what or which nerve! Have not really been sleeping. I hate the insomnia associated with this injury.

You are fortunate to have found out what is wrong so early on. I hope you find relief and answers!

Well Joy, I don't know if I have actually found this out to be absolutely the truth, but we'll see on Weds. when we see the neurologist. up to now it's only been a suspicion.But your arm thing sounds like mine. Geez, one problem after another.
Wendy

All most of us start out with is suspicion!

Hope your appointment goes well Wednesday!