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Do results of neck MRI relate to pain on movement of shoulders and arms?

12 years ago, I had ACDF C5/6 and bilateral open acromioplasty & rotator cuff refair on shoulders. Neither surgery relieved the burning, aching pain when I lift my arms above my head or do repetitive motion with my arms.  Have done a lot of PT throughout years and it never helped.  14 months ago, shoulder doc did MRI that showed osteoarthritis of glenohumoral joint & undersurface partial tearing of distal supraspinatus tendon.  Steroid injection into joint did nothing; injection iinto subacriomal space gave six months of partial relief.  
This year, went to pain management doc who despite what I told him, shot joint, which for second time he did it, provoked pain at top of shoulder, down a few inches on top/side of arm.  Even after 31 visits to PT with slightly increased strength, I still can't do motions like washing my hair, wiping off counter, changing light bulb - without burning pain and need to stop.Within the past couple of months, using my arms or holding in upward position (reading book or newspaper) has also caused burning or pain into top of biceps and side of my arm that faces outward (not tricep).  Otherwise pretty pain free (except for 2 months after doctor gave shot).  
Same pain management doctor said he didn't know how to give shot in subacromial space and did neck MRI.  Here are results:
C4-5: development of 3mm retrolisthesis producing moderate central canal stenosis and severe neural foraminal stenosis.
C3-4 development of 2 mm anterolisthesis producing mild central canal narrowing and severe left neural foraminal stenosis
Progressive degenerative changes.
The doctor didn't tell me all of that.  He said I had "some" stenosis and he could do an epidural and when I asked if it would help my shoulders, he said no, it would help any neck pain I was having!!

The neurologist, last year, had told me to do PT and go to pain management. The shoulder doctor thought shots would help or I could have surgery but said that many people have a tear on MRI that is nonsymptomatic and frankly it didn't help the last time.

I am quite confused that the pain management doctor gave me the answer he did.  Do the areas with stenosis or facet/degeneration cause problems with shoulders or biceps? Bilateral ESI at C4-5 didn't help before, and why would neck problems only cause pain when I use my arms?

Basically no doctor will "take responsibility" for the body part causing the pain.  No need to take pain pills because pain is only when I move.  Am already taking Mobic and Topamax.
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Avatar universal
The short answer to your question is Yes!!!

The nerves that supply the arms and the shoulder for that matter originate in the neck. The same area that you have the severe foraminal stenosis. Is this the first MRI you've had since surgery?

Do some research on C4/5 Radiculopathy, it might clear a few things up.
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