Suggest Treatment For Headaches, Sore Neck And Numbness In Fingers

Posted on Wed, 18 Jan 2017

Question: Hi I was 67 a year ago last July when I was rear ended by a pick up truck. I was stopped truck was going at least 50 km/h. I was stopped my car was thrown so far fwd people in other direction XXXXXXX said had my wheels been turned I would have been catapulted onto their oncoming car. I was unconscious for a few moments. Have had headaches - sore neck - back and rib muscle problems - which are all improving. The day after accident I started to notice tingling in my right hand. This gradually got worse - began having pain at night - My physio kept treating it as a pinched nerve in Brachial plexus which offered some relief but eventually I was diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome - had the release operation and have had nearly full recovery - mostly just notice the hand gets cold in cold weather. My physio says I may have had the Double-Crush Syndrome where my carpel tunnel was compromised and additional pressure on Brachial plexus nerve made the difference. So far the insurance company does not accept responsibility though they are avoiding talking to my physio. I had no symptoms before though in 2008 I had some numbness of different fingers while riding my road bike - my doctor said it was the humeral nerve - I switched to mountain bike, kept my elbows off the table and it cleared up in a few months. What is your opinion of the double-crush syndrome explanation for my carpel tunnel problems. thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Double crush syndrome is unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel Orthopedic Surgeon.
I have read the details, you had carpal tunnel syndrome and an accident one year back.You had fully recovered from both the events.Now you are having cold hand in cold weather.
In my opinion double crush syndrome does not explain the problem. If you had cold hands in winter before carpal tunnel surgery then wait for some more time for its recovery. If you have developed cold hands after surgery then I suggest you get repeat NCV Test to see the functions of median nerve and if required consult with your surgeon again.
I hope I have answered your question. Please feel free to ask any further questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Gopal (12 hours later)

Hi,

Mostly what I wondering is if the rear end accident could have caused the carpel tunnel syndrome, possibly by double crush syndrome.

thanks
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possible

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Theoretically it is quite possible to have traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome but to have it you must have fractures and severe swelling in wrist area .
Gopal Goel

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Gopal (1 hour later)

HI

I didn't have any injury to my wrist but the tingling started the day after the accident and then gradually worsened. My physio said my Brachial plexus was being pinched (I forget the word) and at first he thought that was the whole problem for my hand - when it turned out to be carpel tunnel he thought I may have had a compromised carpel tunnel to begin with that only had symptoms due to the double-crush syndrome - the nerves being compromised at two places. What do you think?

thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
In my opinion it is difficult to think that injury may be at two places . Moreover it would have been diagnosed in NCV test before operation.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T