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Suggest Treatment For Post Traumatic Brain Injury Syndrome

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Posted on Thu, 20 Apr 2017
Question: I am diagnosed with PTBIS. I am73 years old and still working. Often, my hands will go into very painful spasms. The episodes last as long as 30 minutes! I have a recent complete physical and all my blood work is normal. Could this be caused by my brain injury? I'm in good shape for my age. What kind of Dr do I need to see?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Painful spasms differential diagnosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX


I can understand your concern. PTBIS usually manifests as confusion, memory problem, disorientation, tingling sensation in limbs, headache, irritability, tinnitus. The hand muscle spasms are usually not found in PTBIS.

The persistence of such spams for 30 minutes is alarming. You should consult a good neurologist for complete examination of your neuromuscular system. The probable diagnosis of spams

- Calcium deficiency
- Seizure disorder
- Myopathy
- Panic attacks
- Cervical spine disease with cervical myelopathy
- Foramen magnum tumor

You need Some investigations like
- MRI brain and cervical spine
- NCV and EMG of upper limb
- Blood calcium level

These investigation will help you in reaching at some conclusion. If everything turns out to be normal, consider consulting psychiatrist for anxiety-panic attack. In panic attack, hyperventilation can cause hand muscle spasms.

Hope it will help. If any doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
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Answered by
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Dr. Ishu Bishnoi

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 901 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Post Traumatic Brain Injury Syndrome

Brief Answer: Painful spasms differential diagnosis Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX I can understand your concern. PTBIS usually manifests as confusion, memory problem, disorientation, tingling sensation in limbs, headache, irritability, tinnitus. The hand muscle spasms are usually not found in PTBIS. The persistence of such spams for 30 minutes is alarming. You should consult a good neurologist for complete examination of your neuromuscular system. The probable diagnosis of spams - Calcium deficiency - Seizure disorder - Myopathy - Panic attacks - Cervical spine disease with cervical myelopathy - Foramen magnum tumor You need Some investigations like - MRI brain and cervical spine - NCV and EMG of upper limb - Blood calcium level These investigation will help you in reaching at some conclusion. If everything turns out to be normal, consider consulting psychiatrist for anxiety-panic attack. In panic attack, hyperventilation can cause hand muscle spasms. Hope it will help. If any doubt, do let me know. Thanks. Take care.