What Causes Neck Pain, Headache And Numbness In Arm Long After Collarbone Fracture?

Posted on Sun, 13 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 13 Dec 2015 Answered on

Thu, 7 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi doctor I have neck pain since I had fractured my collar bone(8-9 years ago) .It comes me every worse things like pain in neck,headaches all around my head,numbness and needles in arms.last but not the least is anxiety attacks and depression..i recently went to a chiropractor and now my headaches have been increased..i heard that there is a chance of stroke if we go to chiropractor,especially regarding neck.I had my cervial CT scan done last week and everything came normal.but I am getting headaches and really scared of stroke ..I think I have tmj too as always grind my ears and there is pain in left ear ...

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

Brief Answer:
no need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concern , but there is no need to worry
if cervical CT is normal, means there is nothing to worry, regarding this pain, I think it might be non specific and called as myofascial syndrome.
This is not related to fracture of your collar bone which happened 8-9 yrs back.
There is little chance of stroke as you are young. Chances of stroke is more in elderly.
In a hand of good chiropractor, you are safe, no chance of getting stroke.
I advice you to get treatment of your depression and anxiety first, hopefully pain will subside automatically after that

hope this will help

take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Alokkalyani (32 minutes later)

Thanks for the reply doctor but the pain is only the major reason of my anxiety .I go to a physiotherapist now and they suggested me that the injury could be causing the neck pain so I am not sure that should I take medicine for anxiety or for my neck pain? Or can i take both?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Alokkalyani (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You need medicine for both

Detailed Answer:
There are some medicines which act on both problems like Amytriptyline etc.
You need to discuss a psychiatrist and a rheumatologist

take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Alokkalyani (38 hours later)

Hey again doctor, the problem here is that it is hard for me to keep my neck straight and when I do it i feel like shortage of breath ,tired easily,dizzyness,body shaking and rapid heart beat..but if the CT scan is normal do you think I have go for MRI?because I dont think it is possible to get these things without having a problem in neck..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Alokkalyani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
no use of MRI

Detailed Answer:
hi
I do not think that MRI will help.
but yes, first see a doctor to rule out other cause

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina