neck pain, arm numbness, burning pain

by dave
(colorado)

neck pain, arm numbness, burning pain

About a year ago I fell at work, and hurt my neck,and back. I have had two M.R.I.'s on both areas. I have a protruding disc in the c-5 c-6 contacting the nerve roots. My Workers Comp. Dr. says my M.R.I. is normal for someone 40 years old.

Since I have had a nerve conduction test,and passed, why am I still experiencing this. Plus it feels it is getting worse. It always occurs when I look up, or reach up, and when I try to sleep. I get very little sleep now, cause I wake up when my arms act up. This is very depressing, as it effects every aspect of my life. Any help or advise plz.

Hello Dave,
It's definitely time to ask for a second opinion. Firstly it's certainly not normal for a bulging disc to be contacting a nerve at any age.

Secondly, the fact that you get arm pain (or is it only neck pain?) when you look up is called Spurling's sign. More, does it hurt when you turn your head to the side of pain, and then simulaneously look up? In your neck? In your arm.

There's a fairly simple test that you can do at home for a frank pinched nerve. Interpretation of the results is more difficult, but it'll give you an idea. It's called the Upper Limb Tension Test ... scroll down to the video.

Thirdly you are developing what are known as "hard neurological signs". That numbness... if you ignore it (actually, if your doctor ignores it) you could well end up with a permanently lame arm.

Why not have a chat with your own house doctor? See what he thinks. Did the WC doctor examine you thoroughly? Reflexes, skin sensation, weakness of muscles in the arm, orthopedic tests...?

This is a very painful condition. One that I treat frequently, but if you've had this for a whole year now, it's likely to be difficult which every way you turn.

But a second opinion is long overdue. In fact, in your situation, in my practice, I would have asked for a second opinion after 3-5 weeks. A year is far too long.

Gather your scans and tests, get your WC file number and see someone else. You are certainly within your rights to do that.

Slipped disc arm pain ...

Let us know how you get on.


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Interesting challenges of the day

1. Mr S is a 76 year old man with neck pain of some 9 months duration. Luckily, most of the discomfort is upper cervical which is only rarely arthritic; his lower cervical spine is a degenerative mess that I've left alone. After seven treatments his pain and stiffness is 50 percent better, and he's happy in the circumstances. He can sleep through the night now and that makes a huge difference.

2. Mr P is 32 year old man with very severe lower back pain radiating to the big toe which is 30 percent numb. He had an episode three weeks ago, took anti inflammatories and was soon better as is typical of the medial disc herniation. But before it healed, after a trivia it came roaring back, much worse. The characteristic crossed sign was evident; sitting in a chair, straightening the right leg provoked severe left back pain and tingling in the leg. He's doing well.

3. Severe lower back pain is scary; just ask Mrs P. Just watching her get out of the car I she was in trouble; she had a slipped disc at L4 making her lean towards the opposite side; luckily she had no pain in the leg. Despite family pressure that this was far too severe for a chiropractor, she persevered. Within five days she was standing upright, and after two weeks almost painfree. 

Despite a hectic job, she wisely took my advice and stayed home for what I call exercising bed rest.

4. Mr S has had lower back, groin and back of thigh and calf pain for fourth months.

He has a pincer deformity in the hip causing the stabs in the groin, and a degenerative facet causing the sciatica. Both are responding well to chiropractic and he's well pleased; sixty five percent better after three treatments.

5. Mr T is a wise man; he's taken a warning TIA seriously and has lost 15 pounds, and has at least as much again to lose. A change to a low starch diet and half hour daily walk has made the difference; but the walking is making his foot and back miserable. The expensive orthotic is hopeless; luckily his hips and back are fine, but he needs a simple heel lift.

6. I too have had serious lower back issues, luckily fixed by my own chiropractor; so I too have to do my exercises, take care when lifting supers full of honey, gardening and using the chainsaw. Regaining the function of your spine is just as important as the pain.

7. My own granddaughter, only 7 is hypermobile giving her pelvic, knee and ankle issues. Xrays show a mildly dysplastic hip. Years ago we would have called it growing pains. She too regularly needs chiropractic care and luckily responds well. Increased range of motion is more difficult than too stiff in my opinion. Our care is for kids too.

8. This 65 year old lady is a serious gardener; every day she is bending, lifting and digging for 2 to 3 hours a day. It regularly catches her in the sacroiliac joint, so she has a treatment once a month that sorts it out. She does her lower back exercises faithfully.

9. This 88 year old lady is an inspiration; every day she is busy in the community. With a nasty scoliosis she manages very well with a chiropractic adjustment every six weeks and exercises faithfully done.  

10. Mr X is a 71 year old retired man who wants to continue with maintenance care every six to eight weeks; he had suffered from two years of lower back pain when he first came a year ago. He has no discomfort now after 8 chiropractic treatments, but is aware that danger lurks.

11. Mrs C has been having severe headaches, and taking a lot of analgesics. It's a non complicated upper cervical facet syndrome, and she's doing well.

12. Mr D is a 38 old year man with chronic shoulder pain after a rotator cuff tear playing cricket. It responded well to treatment, but he knows he must do his exercises every day; for two years he couldn't sleep on that shoulder.

13. Mr D, a 71 year old man, has a severe ache in the shoulder and midback since working above his head. Trapped nerve tests are negative but he has advanced degenerative joints of Luschka; after just two treatments he is 50 percent better. Can we reach 90?

And so the day goes; chiropractors shouldn't be treating the elderly most medical sites state but that's so much bunkum.

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