United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I believe that I have had BPI for a while but it has missed diagnosis from the start. I get so frustrated. I go to the emergency room to be told with diagnosis from a heart attack to pluresy. I had a putti platt procedure did on my left shoulder that failed because of 2 staph infections. I have a 2 inch wide scar from the top of the clavicle to my arm pit from removal of the infection. It was left open to heal because the doctor could not close the wound. I have pain in my ribs and under my scapula and arm. Numbness in my hand. When, I sleep my muscles under my arm jump. What do they need to check to see if these nerves are damaged pinched? I recently reinjured it again and now the doctors are calling it a thoracic muscle strain. I have never had a muscle strain that has lasted 18 months. I was dropped off of workers compensation and lost my job. I have no clue what I need to tell these doctors except the symptoms and their diagnosis never make sense. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Have they done an EMG (is a technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles.), MRI or MRA? These are the most common diagnostic imagings that can be done. I have more information if you would like it. This should get you started.

Get an MRI if you have not had one yet and see a neurologist. An MRI will show what is happening with the nerves. A neurologist specializes in nerves hence they will be able to tell you what exactly is going on. If you are diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury(BPI) then go see a BPI specialist.

My arm could not handle an EMG. Literally they stopped the test because my arm was reacting so badly to it. So I am not a 100% sure that is going to be reliable test based on my own experience.

Thanks for the replies. I incidentally had an cervical xray that showed a broken screw then both fusions are broke loose or non union. I have yet to have a emg. I need to get my neck fixed. I had a MRI on my shoulder that showed a fragment that was on the outside or the top of my shoulder joint.