<human>: I have a swollen knot at the top of my spine. It is slightly to the left of my spine but not by much. It appeared suddenly, within 48 hours. It s not cyst-like, but it is circular, swollen, and squishy. It s about the size of a tennis ball. I m not sure if the lump is causing it or not, but I do have slight neck pain as well. My shoulders have also been feeling tight lately, especially the left. What could this be ... muscle strain, lipoma, disc problem, something else?
<bot>: Hello. Thanks for asking from Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. It is good that you have already searched about your swelling, and you know about lipoma/disc. Now to make some diagnosis about your swelling, we have to evaluate it and relate it witChatDoctormon swellings of neck: If it has appeared with in 48 hours, and it was never there before it, it could be reactive lymph node or inflammatory/infected swelling like abscess/cellulitis/boil. These swellings are painful, tender to touch, skin temperature over it is raised, skin usually becomes red (except lymph node). You might develop fever and sometimes swelling ruptures and release pus. If your features are resembling above features, you should ; Not touch it; you can take painkiller like Diclofenac sodium after proper prescription; avoid pressure over it; you can take antibiotic course like Co-amoxyclav after proper prescription; Consult doctor to Chat Doctor.  Another possibility could be that swelling was there for long time, but you noticed it 48 hours before only. It usually happens. This type of swelling could be lipoma, lymph node due to chronic disease (TB, chronic osteomyelitis), chronic abscess like cold access (TB), muscular lesion. These swellings are painless, usually round, firm, no fever, no redness. For confirmation, you have to consult doctor. He might take biopsy (tissue sample) to confirm or get some blood tests. Further treatment will be decided after confirming swelling. Neck pain with shoulder tightness could be due to muscle strain or disc problem. In muscular pain, it is dull, local tenderness on pressing neck, no sharp shooting sensation, no numbness, pain on stretching muscle. While disc pain is sharp shooting pain which starts in neck and radiates to shoulder, needle like sensations, no tenderness, numbness present. Treatment includes: Bed rest: Massaging neck if muscular pain: Avoid neck flexion : Avoid lifting weight: Take painkiller like Diclofenac sodium after proper prescription: For disc pain, you can take Pregabalin or Gabapentin or Amitriptyline after proper prescription: You can consult physiotherapist for both pain: IF still no relief, you can consult doctor. Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care.