burning sensation in right arm probably Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Hi,
I'm a 49 yr old woman who suffers from diabetes. I've been having some shoulder pain especially when the weather gets cold or there is a draft.
About a week ago started feeling a burning sensation in my right forearm that starts in the wrist area and shooting up into my forearm which seems to be worsening especially if I write or type. I would like to know if this is serious, should I be worried?

I have been to my family doctor about it and he gave me a referral for an EMG of the forearm which will only be done in 6 weeks time.Is this a condition that I should go to the emergency for?

Hello,

Most likely your doctor is sending you for a test for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome test (use the Search facillity at Chiropractic-Help for more details) which is double entrapment syndrome, usually in the neck, forearm and/or wrist. Is the pain pattern in the fingers shown in the graphic? In some cases the pain is more in the arm than the hand, particularly if the entrapment is by the pronator teres muscle.

I won't say it's not serious but a few weeks delay probably will not be deleterious. No, I personally don't think it sounds like you need to go to the ER, but do understand I haven't examined you, and so am making certain assumptions.

Superficially, it appears that you have a problem either in your neck or with the first rib (Thoracic Outlet syndrome) which makes the shoulder and arm vulnerable. Hence you first had the pain in the upper arm, and now in the lower arm. They are probably connected.

What you need to face is: are you doing to go for surgery if the test for CTS comes back positive. There's no strong research showing that either chiropractic or surgery helps IN THE LONG TERM, but in the short term, FROM A RESEARCH PERSPECTIVE, surgery is apparently more effective.

How much chiropractic can help is just not well researched, so I'm not promising you the earth. Having said that, I treat shoulder and lower arm tingling and nerve signs such as the burning pain you are having on a daily basis with good success.

Personally, I would recommend you see a chiropractor first, just because it's so much simpler, safer and cheaper. If it's not successful you can still go for surgery.

But you will have to find a chiropractor who will address the other impingement sites: neck, first rib, pronator teres, carpal tunnel. Ask before you make an appointment just how much success s/he has with your type of symptoms.

An X-ray of your neck would be beneficial.

I'm assuming your diabetes is well controlled.

I hope this has contributed.

Dr B.