Cycling UK Forum

I seem to have acquired what feels like a trapped nerve where the rhomboid, trap and scapula meet.

For a couple of years now, I've occasionally had some odd sensations in that area. It has felt like prickly heat, or something similar.

For the last month or two, I've occasionally had sharp pain from that exact area whilst cycling. It's been entirely random as to when it's occured. So for instance, on my 315km Vätternrundan ride on Saturday, didn't feel it in any way shape or form.

Yesterday, I had a the most serious pain I've had thus far. The discomfort builds steadily over a period, and then you have incredibly sharp pain linked to physical movements (turning head side to side or raising head).

I would honestly say that the pain on a couple of occasions is some of the worst I've ever experienced. Incredibly acute and akin to being stung by 50 wasps on the exact same point. It fades fairly quickly, and getting off the bike and stretching helps an awful lot.

Either way, at a bit of a loss as to what to do. I cycle a lot, with a variety of bikes on a variety of terrain. I'm always dealing with niggles of some sort, but I've never had anything like this before.

Any help much appreciated.

I recommend seeing a doctor.

But I'd be interested to know if you have any unusual sensations or weakness in the arm on the affected side.

Jonathan

Jdsk wrote: ↑21 Jun 2023, 5:18pm I recommend seeing a doctor.

But I'd be interested to know if you have any unusual sensations or weakness in the arm on the affected side.

Jonathan

I am planning to call them in the morning. I think that medical appointments happen quite quickly here, so fingers crossed.

No unusual sensations or weakness in the arm at all. Very localised to the specific area on the top of my shoulder blade.

Thanks

Jonathan

I would not hold my breath seeing a Doctor!
In my experience, the NHS is becoming an emergency-only go-to.
Skeletal/joint/muscular problems get little if any resource. You are better off getting an accurate diagnosis from a physio or osteopath, then deciding on exercise or exercise/manipulation. NHS physios have retreated wholesale from hands-on work and just dish out exercise regimes. I think the message behind this approach needs to be understood by anyone undertaking energetic pursuits like cycling, kayaking, or potholing. We take far too much for granted and need to be more responsible.

Many older cyclists fall prey to knee and hip degeneration. I'd hazard a guess that the majority of joint failures are down to overuse.
An NHS strapped for cash as the Tories try to tell us, is not going to be sympathetic to self-imposed problems, of which over-exercise is just one. Obesity, Smoking related problems, Alcohol misuse, and even some mental health issues are possibly within our ability to control.

OP would appear to be in Sweden, so NHS/Tories bellyaching irrelevant.

arnsider wrote: ↑30 Jul 2023, 11:18am I would not hold my breath seeing a Doctor!
In my experience, the NHS is becoming an emergency-only go-to.
Skeletal/joint/muscular problems get little if any resource. You are better off getting an accurate diagnosis from a physio or osteopath, then deciding on exercise or exercise/manipulation. NHS physios have retreated wholesale from hands-on work and just dish out exercise regimes. I think the message behind this approach needs to be understood by anyone undertaking energetic pursuits like cycling, kayaking, or potholing. We take far too much for granted and need to be more responsible.

What an insult to the staff and ME ex NHS, St Peters Hospital, Chertsey.

I and my autistic sons have lived in Devon (my youngest in a Devonian, Scotland (Invergordon), Wales Carmarthen and Camberley, as with all businesses none are perfect but if you had an accident and NEEDED the NHS, ambulance, at least it would be there for you unlike the US

I am not insulting anybody here. I tell things like they are. Yes, an ambulance might be there in an emergency though that's far more likely if you are in a large town rather than the wilds of the Yorkshire Dales!
That scenario is irrelevant to the issue of treating skeletal/muscular problems that are caused by leisure activity.

I would not hold my breath seeing a Doctor!

I'm pleased to say that my own recent experience with access to an nhs physio via my local medical centre was much more positive than the earlier post suggests. The exercises I was shown & that I followed to the letter did get rid of shoulder pain that had limited my mobility and made it hard to sleep properly.
Of course, that's just my own story and I understand that there are great many folk out there, seeking solutions from a hard-pressed workforce, but I think it's best we begin the journey by believing that it will work out for each of us - and defer thinking otherwise until we've explored every avenue...

Well, in fairness, I was aware that I could refer myself to an NHS physio at my surgery and that's what I did with my trapped nerve.
I got a short consultation and was given an A4 showing four exercises to do. I looked closer to find that the data came from a website; HEP 2 Go, Home exercises. I followed this up and found a wealth of exercises covering the whole body to which you could subscribe for free.
In retrospect, this is a result and I too am beginning to show signs of improvement, following closely the regime.
I really don't think these problems are in the sphere of doctors and it's logical NHS should try to come up with a practical means of treatment. This was the point I attempted to make, albeit bluntly.

Pinhead wrote: ↑30 Jul 2023, 4:24pm What an insult to the staff and ME ex NHS, St Peters Hospital, Chertsey.

I and my autistic sons have lived in Devon (my youngest in a Devonian, Scotland (Invergordon), Wales Carmarthen and Camberley, as with all businesses none are perfect but if you had an accident and NEEDED the NHS, ambulance, at least it would be there for you unlike the US

There are lots of people who get a very good service from the NHS, the problem is that the vast majority of them have no conception whatsoever that there are others who don't.

Nothing much will ever change, because any time anyone tries to start a debate about the NHS, and/or how healthcare is provided in this country, it gets shut down instantly by someone who throws the American system in their face, as if that's the only alternative.

I certainly agree with that. I have huge respect for everyone in NHS but they are hog-tied by a finite resource that varies from region to region.
It always amazes me just how some peoples system of values places holidays abroad, new kitchens, and garden makeovers before money is spent addressing their health. I'm not calling for a means test, but a system that allows us to contribute more if we are able.
For most of my adult life, I have suffered from Nasal Polyps. The symptoms can become chronic and sleep is very adversely affected.
Faced with a long wait, I opted to go private and really saw the whole business as a win-win situation. I'm quite prepared to state an unpopular truth that some people neglect their health, indeed jeopardise it so badly that they really should take out private insurance and not expect the NHS to stump up. On the other hand, I have no doubts that the present shambles of a government are hell-bent on abolishing the NHS and they should be thwarted at all costs.