left arm shoulder area ring and pinky finger

by gary day
(berwick maine)

I slipped and fell and now have had pain and burning inside of my left arm. My ring and pinky finger are numb. When I try to use my arm no strength and it increases the pain, with a severe headache that makes me want to vomit.

Doctors here are having problems finding problem. I have had mri galore, emgs and other tests. Please help.

Hello Gary,
First of all the ring finger and pinkie is very specific - the dermatome relating to the C8 nerve root. It emerges from between the lowermost neck vertebra C7 and the first thoracic vertebra T1.

If you turn your head to the left and look up do you get lower neck pain and does it radiate immediately to the arm?

However, the C8-T1 nerve roots, side of your hand and inner arm, are the ones lying over the first rib. It's possible that when you fell the first rib was fixated, or the scalene muscles are in spasm. Read more: http://www.chiropractic-books.com/Thoracic-Outlet-Syndrome.html

There's a very specific test for TOS called Adson's test. Has any one taken your pulse whilst you look left, up and take in a deep breath?

Stretch your RIGHT arm out to the side, palm forwards. Now extend the wrist, and then extend your whole arm backwards, and gently tilt your head to the LEFT. Remember what you feel in your right arm. Now repeat with the naughty arm. Is it different?

Does raising your arm increase or relieve the pain?

You say that moving your arm increases the pain. Then it could also be shoulder pathology - like a rotator cuff strain. Do activities like changing gear, opening the car window, combing your hair hurt?

These important questions and tests will give an indication of where the problem is.

Frankly, a pinched nerve in the neck is one of the most painful conditions we treat in Chiropractic clinics. You're not wingeing about nothing. I can see this hurts.

Start hunting for a competent thorough chiropractor. Talk to friends and your GP.

I hope this has contributed.

Dr B.