Shoulder/back bones rearranged?

Hal61
Hal61 Member Posts: 655
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I notice that 5 months from my left neck dissection that some of my bones are now more pronounced or re-positioned. Has this happened to others of you? My clavical is more pronounced on the surgery side, and the bones of my upper back and shoulder have rearraged themselves. I won't try too name bones, but if yours have moved a bit in those areas as a result of neck surgery, please let me know. I have pretty much full mobility of my left arm, but still minor sporadic pain, and neck numbness.

thanks, Hal

Comments

  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #2
    Well I'm looking rather
    Well I'm looking rather boney, especially on that left side with all the stuff they took out on that side. I figure it's that and the forty pounds I lost. Well I guess I'm only thirty pounds lighter now. My colllar bones really stick out now, especially on my left side.
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #3
    sweetblood22 said:

    Well I'm looking rather
    Well I'm looking rather boney, especially on that left side with all the stuff they took out on that side. I figure it's that and the forty pounds I lost. Well I guess I'm only thirty pounds lighter now. My colllar bones really stick out now, especially on my left side.

    right side for me
    I have an indentation on the right collar bone, clavical?? Looks like some tissue is missing. I'm also 40 lbs lighter.
  • miccmill
    miccmill Member Posts: 248
    #4
    ratface said:

    right side for me
    I have an indentation on the right collar bone, clavical?? Looks like some tissue is missing. I'm also 40 lbs lighter.

    Subluxing Shoulder?
    Glenn has lost about 75lbs. and I really see the difference in his right scapula (in the back). It's just positioned differently than the left side. He had a right sided neck dissection.

    The doctors told us what muscles they "moved" out of the way to remove the chain of lymph nodes they took and it was alot. They think physical therayp will strengthen those muscles and it has helped alot but not all the way.
  • davidgskinner
    davidgskinner Member Posts: 81
    #5
    miccmill said:

    Subluxing Shoulder?
    Glenn has lost about 75lbs. and I really see the difference in his right scapula (in the back). It's just positioned differently than the left side. He had a right sided neck dissection.

    The doctors told us what muscles they "moved" out of the way to remove the chain of lymph nodes they took and it was alot. They think physical therayp will strengthen those muscles and it has helped alot but not all the way.

    Shoulder pulls
    My shoulder on the dissection side seems to be "pulling" forward. It is noticeable to me when I look in the mirror, and sometimes hurts a lot. My neck also looks like it's stretched tightly on that side, which I guess it is. I also discovered that throwing and reaching are really difficult. I did some physical therapy and it helped, but still nowhere near where it was. It sucks, that is for sure.
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #6
    I noticed this as well.
    I don't seem to be symmetrical about the shoulders any more, when viewed straight on from the back. Perhaps further exercise will help. Mobility is improving.

    Deb
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #7
    Sounds right
    Thanks All for your replies. Your symptoms mirror mine. For me the most pronounced is the "moving up" of the scalpula (I think) on my upper left back. Like Dave, I get general aching in the shoulder/upper back area, and that uncomfortable tight spot on the neck--used to be numb so I guess that's improvement. Once again, it's great to have this forum to ask these kinds of questions.

    Hal
  • rush1958
    rush1958 Member Posts: 223 Member
    #8
    Neck Dissection
    Hal,

    I don't have anything that is readily apparent, but I do feel like the side of the neck dissection (left) is slightly more pronounced now. It also aches a little, but aspirin is sufficent to stop the pain.

    I lost a significant amount of weight during treatment - about 100 pounds - and I've wondered if this is part of the equation. Radiation may factor in to this too.

    Then again, maybe it is just coincidental. Maybe I'm just getting old!

    Rush
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    Hi Hal
    As you know I did not have the neck dissection but I sure have all the rest of the problems, all part of my new normal I guess.

    Take care in the New Year my friend
    Hondo
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #10
    SHOULDER POSITION
    I too notice that my Right Shoulder seems to be allot more noticeable than my left. I did not have the muscle removed, but did have allot of nerves disturbed while they were taking out the chain of nodes and tumors.

    Mike
  • ZooDavid
    ZooDavid Member Posts: 12
    #11
    me to
    Thats me all over!...I thought that maybe my surgeron screwed the pooch or something..as a guitarist I was afraid I would not be able to play anymore.Sooo against my docs opinion I had only my right neck done, I can still pick but if I cant lift my left arm I no-longer can play, again soooo I am hope-full that I do-not have any problems on my left side.I can make the decision whether to live as a non-musician or die the guitar player that I was born to be.
    take care,
    david
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #12
    ZooDavid said:

    me to
    Thats me all over!...I thought that maybe my surgeron screwed the pooch or something..as a guitarist I was afraid I would not be able to play anymore.Sooo against my docs opinion I had only my right neck done, I can still pick but if I cant lift my left arm I no-longer can play, again soooo I am hope-full that I do-not have any problems on my left side.I can make the decision whether to live as a non-musician or die the guitar player that I was born to be.
    take care,
    david

    Keepin" on
    Hi David, sorry to hear the surgery has hampered your ability to play. I think the movement/motion can be improved with therapy. If you can effectively move the fingers on your left, maybe you could rig a sling to help hold your hand over the frets. I'm sure it was a tough decision for you.

    best, Hal

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