Neck, Shoulder and Arm Pain

Abstract

Many persons equate arm pain with heart disease. Dr. Priest points out that a tried of nitroglycerin is a valuable diagnostic aid. Pain that is not relieved within three minutes is not likely to be coronary. Dr. Compere discusses the common extension-flexion injury of the neck (“whiplash”) and describes the Luschka joints, small articulations on the margins of the second through seventh cervical vertebrae which often are affected by traumatic or degenerative processes.

Dr. Beattie reviews thoracic conditions which may give rise to neck, shoulder and arm pain. Chief among them are traumatic injury and lung carcinoma. The principal neurologic lesions which cause pain in this area are herniated cervical intervertebral disk and cervical spinal tumor. Dr. Bucy outlines the diagnosis and localization of these lesions.