Been having back pain in right L-4 region (between shoulder blade and spine) foe WELL over year. There is a lump there and as the day progresses, it gets more painful and swollen. Lots of muscle spasms too. Had MRI that showed a lartov cyst (dr said "normal abnormality?????) and that MRI showed some arthritis – not severe – and that it was "normal beyond that. He gave a consult with pain mgr and physical therapy (already had with those lil electrodes w/ no results) and feel like he is brushing it off not believing me. Asked if MRI showed pinched nerves and he said yes. Does it- or is he passing the buck? I am 35 with history of C-2 fracture (broken neck) @ 16. Anyone know anything?
4 minutes ago – 3 days left to answer.
Additional Details
1 minute ago
Also – I am right handed and it falls asleep often during rest and tingles in the fingertips- especially in the mornings. Have lost strenght – can not open jars- like I used to. And my right side of my scalp falls asleep when I lay on it.
abnormality, additional details, arthritis, broken neck, electrodes, fingertips, foe, fracture, history of c, mri, muscle spasms, nerves, passing the buck, physical therapy, shoulder blade, spine
Yes, an MRI can show a pinched nerve, if one exists. However, sometimes a nerve can be irritated by inflammation alone, and this would not be seen on MRI. I haven’t heard of lartov cysts before, although I’m sure there is some kind of cyst present if you feel a lump there. By the way, L4 is closer to the hips than it is to the shoulder blade. The lower tip of the shoulder blade only reaches down to T7. Did you mean to say T4?
I’m impressed that you survived a C2 fracture. You’re quite lucky in that regard. Based on your additional details it sounds like you’ve got some irritated nerves coming out of the neck. Have you had an MRI of the neck?