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Suggest Treatment For Occasional Burning And Tingling Sensation In The Hands, Feet And Legs With A Little Numbness And Stiffness
Question: Occasional burning and tingly sensations in my hands, feet and legs accompanied with a little numbness and stiffness. Symptoms come and go and are usually more apparent after sitting or laying down for an extended period of time, such as siting at my desk, or after a night's sleep. I do have a 5 mm disc bulge @ L-4 /L-5 as a result of a a car accident on 12/7/2015 and sometimes also a stiff neck.
Thanks.....XXXX
Thanks.....XXXX
Brief Answer:
Spinal degenerative disease or peripheral neuropathy main suspects.
Detailed Answer:
I read your questions carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from your description two main possibilities would have to be considered. First given the neck stiffness and the known spinal problems, degenerative spinal disease should be considered. It can lead both to peripheral nerve compression as well as myelopathy, cord compression which can cause those symptoms.
The other possibility would be that of peripheral neuropathy, damage to peripheral nerves. It can have many causes such as diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, endocrine and metabolic alterations, infections etc.
So the first step would be to differentiate between these two main possibilities. For that a neurological exam (to check for neurological signs like altered reflexes, spasticity, motor or sensory deficits etc) would be the first step followed usually by imaging of the neck through MRI and nerve conduction studies.
Further management depends on the findings. If degenerative spinal disease is found to be the cause physical therapy and pain killers are the first step. May be accompanied by carrying a cervical collar for some time. In some cases when there is cord compression on MRI images surgery may also be considered.
If peripheral neuropathy is found to be the origin then further tests to search for the cause will be needed and management depends on their findings.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Spinal degenerative disease or peripheral neuropathy main suspects.
Detailed Answer:
I read your questions carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from your description two main possibilities would have to be considered. First given the neck stiffness and the known spinal problems, degenerative spinal disease should be considered. It can lead both to peripheral nerve compression as well as myelopathy, cord compression which can cause those symptoms.
The other possibility would be that of peripheral neuropathy, damage to peripheral nerves. It can have many causes such as diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, endocrine and metabolic alterations, infections etc.
So the first step would be to differentiate between these two main possibilities. For that a neurological exam (to check for neurological signs like altered reflexes, spasticity, motor or sensory deficits etc) would be the first step followed usually by imaging of the neck through MRI and nerve conduction studies.
Further management depends on the findings. If degenerative spinal disease is found to be the cause physical therapy and pain killers are the first step. May be accompanied by carrying a cervical collar for some time. In some cases when there is cord compression on MRI images surgery may also be considered.
If peripheral neuropathy is found to be the origin then further tests to search for the cause will be needed and management depends on their findings.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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