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When upper back or shoulder pain is accompanied by arm paralysis, the cause may be an inflamed nerve in the neck or shoulder that travels down the arm. Some patients may experience worsening upper back pain and arm paralysis throughout the day, while others may experience severe symptoms upon waking.

 The following are six potential explanations.

Herniated disc in the neck

A herniated cervical disc may release inflammatory proteins that inflame adjacent muscles, joints, and/or nerve roots. Inflammation of a cervical nerve root can result in radicular pain, tingling, paralysis, and/or weakness in the shoulder, arm, and/or hand. If a disc herniates in the lower cervical spine, shoulder blade pain and paralysis that may extend into the arm or hand may be experienced.

Intestinal stenosis

A condition known as foraminal stenosis occurs when the intervertebral foramen between adjacent vertebrae becomes constricted. As a result, a nerve root may be compressed as it departs the spinal canal. Foraminal stenosis may be caused by bone nodules (osteophytes) or other degenerative spinal processes. If the nerve root of the lower cervical spine becomes pinched or irritated, the shoulder, arm, hand, and/or digits may experience pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness.

Stinger

A stinger is frequently caused by neck or shoulder trauma, such as a sports collision or a fall. After a collision, a stinger injury occurs when the brachial plexus (a collection of nerves that run through the shoulder and down the arm) is overstretched, resulting in searing pain that begins in the neck or shoulder and travels down the arm. It may also be accompanied by paralysis or weakness in the arms or hands. Typically, stingers last a few seconds or minutes, but they can last days or longer.

Thoracic outlet disorder

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) occurs when nerves or blood vessels become compressed in the thoracic outlet, which is located between the upper rib and clavicle. This uncommon illness can cause pain, tingling, paralysis, and/or weakness anywhere from the neck and shoulder down to the arm and hand. A person with TOS may experience shoulder pain and arm paralysis as a result. Work performed overhead can exacerbate shoulder pain and arm numbness/weakness. During routine activities, the arm and hand may also become more easily fatigued.

Brachial plexus neuropathy

Brachial neuritis, also known as Parsonage-Turner syndrome, is an inflammation of the brachial plexus (a network of nerves that extends from the shoulder to the arm). This condition causes pain, trembling, numbness, and/or paralysis along the nerve pathways in the neck, upper back, shoulder, arm, and hand. Brachial neuritis can last anywhere between several hours and several days. In rare cases, it can last considerably longer or become permanent.

Strain

It is well known that stress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological disorders can induce physical symptoms similar to those of the aforementioned conditions. Always consider stress as a potential cause of symptoms such as upper back pain and related arm paralysis.

Any type of pain accompanied by numbness or fatigue requires a trip to the doctor. The precise diagnosis of a medical professional can help determine the most effective treatment for comfort and recovery.

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