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I Think I Have A Pinched Nerve In My Neck.

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Posted on Sun, 22 Sep 2019
Question: I think I have a pinched nerve in my neck. Its been going on for a week now. We bagn riding bikes several month ago and just before these symptoms my Trapezius (assuming) muscle became sore and very tense for a couple days straight and tensified each time i rode bikes. A week ago today it became so sore i could not ride, to the point it my right forearm muscle began aching. when i turn my head to the right it send sever pain to my right arm. i can no longer find a postion to sleep that doesnt send pain to my right arm. if i turn head to the left and look down i can semi releive the pain to my right arm, but even this is becoming painful. I have been icing alternating heat and neither seem to bring any releaf. any suggestions.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Probable Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Detailed Answer:
You are describing the symptoms that are commonly described in a disorder called the THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME and the location would be on the right side (since the right arm and neck/shoulder are affected). The pain/numbness and other symptoms you have are due to the compression of nerves and blood vessels when you turn the head to the right. Squeezing the structures by that movement initiates symptoms while turning the neck to the opposite side will open the space between the 1st rib and clavicle (collar bone) and give you some relief.

If this is the correct diagnosis then, the fix is best performed by conservative measures first such as PHYSICAL THERAPY with exercises designed to try and release or reset the location of the entrapped blood vessels or nerves to a less irritated position.

Making the diagnosis does require some testing so I recommend you get some type of imaging study and an electrical study which will help confirm the anatomic relationship of the likely PINCHED nerves/blood vessels as well as a functional study such as electromyogram and nerve conduction study (EMG/NCV) in order to detect a conduction block. If it were my decision I would order an MRI and MRA of the right clavicular region along with an EMG/NCV.

The following link will show you a variety common exercises that are prescribed for people with THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME and so in addition to the diagnostic studies I would also send you to PHYSICAL THERAPY.

https://www.pinterest.com/lisaw0019/thoracic-outlet-syndrome-exercises/

The following link is a good educational resource by MAYO CLINIC that I think will give you additional ideas and you may resonate with even more of the described symptoms that are either mild and unnoticeable to you or things that you never considered could be part of the problem since they may have seemed unrelated....such as COLD FINGERS in the right hand?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-0000

If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating if you feel so inclined? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others. I'm very interested in knowing how things evolve for you- especially if you get any testing done so drop me a line please and I'm hoping all the best for you.

This query has utilized a total of 40 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2472 Questions

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I Think I Have A Pinched Nerve In My Neck.

Brief Answer: Probable Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Detailed Answer: You are describing the symptoms that are commonly described in a disorder called the THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME and the location would be on the right side (since the right arm and neck/shoulder are affected). The pain/numbness and other symptoms you have are due to the compression of nerves and blood vessels when you turn the head to the right. Squeezing the structures by that movement initiates symptoms while turning the neck to the opposite side will open the space between the 1st rib and clavicle (collar bone) and give you some relief. If this is the correct diagnosis then, the fix is best performed by conservative measures first such as PHYSICAL THERAPY with exercises designed to try and release or reset the location of the entrapped blood vessels or nerves to a less irritated position. Making the diagnosis does require some testing so I recommend you get some type of imaging study and an electrical study which will help confirm the anatomic relationship of the likely PINCHED nerves/blood vessels as well as a functional study such as electromyogram and nerve conduction study (EMG/NCV) in order to detect a conduction block. If it were my decision I would order an MRI and MRA of the right clavicular region along with an EMG/NCV. The following link will show you a variety common exercises that are prescribed for people with THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME and so in addition to the diagnostic studies I would also send you to PHYSICAL THERAPY. https://www.pinterest.com/lisaw0019/thoracic-outlet-syndrome-exercises/ The following link is a good educational resource by MAYO CLINIC that I think will give you additional ideas and you may resonate with even more of the described symptoms that are either mild and unnoticeable to you or things that you never considered could be part of the problem since they may have seemed unrelated....such as COLD FINGERS in the right hand? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-0000 If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating if you feel so inclined? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out. Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others. I'm very interested in knowing how things evolve for you- especially if you get any testing done so drop me a line please and I'm hoping all the best for you. This query has utilized a total of 40 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.