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What Causes Severe Neck Pain And Numbness In Both Arms?
Question: I have severe neck pain. I have already had a fusion c-5 thru c-7. I recently read my CT report and it states that I have multilevel degenerative intervertebral disc space narrowing. Along with an osteophyte formation at c3-4 through c6-7 levels. Resulting in spinal canal stenosis. Greatest at c3-4 level. Posterior osteophyte at that level has anterior-posterior width of nearly 3-4mm. Also a mild left bony neural foraminal narrowing. I have pain and numbness in my left arm and sometimes my right arm.
Brief Answer:
Needs surgical decompression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You have severe cervical spondylosis with nerve root compression at multiple levels- greatest at C3-C 4 which is causing the pain and numbness in the left arm.
You are already taking pain killers muscle relaxant and gabapentin for the nerve pain.
If the pain is not properly controlled with these medicines then surgical removal of the osteophytes and decompression of the nerve roots need to be considered.
You should do following in the meanwhile to have relief -
-Wear a cervical collar. This will at least give rest to your strained muscles.
-Avoid bending your neck at abnormal position for long time, like on computer.
-Do warm water fomentation with help of water bag over your neck.
-Test for levels of vitamin B12, If low do take Vitamin B12 supplements.
-Take help of a physiothearpist .He will be able to give your relief by intermittent traction, ultrasonic therapy etc.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Needs surgical decompression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
You have severe cervical spondylosis with nerve root compression at multiple levels- greatest at C3-C 4 which is causing the pain and numbness in the left arm.
You are already taking pain killers muscle relaxant and gabapentin for the nerve pain.
If the pain is not properly controlled with these medicines then surgical removal of the osteophytes and decompression of the nerve roots need to be considered.
You should do following in the meanwhile to have relief -
-Wear a cervical collar. This will at least give rest to your strained muscles.
-Avoid bending your neck at abnormal position for long time, like on computer.
-Do warm water fomentation with help of water bag over your neck.
-Test for levels of vitamin B12, If low do take Vitamin B12 supplements.
-Take help of a physiothearpist .He will be able to give your relief by intermittent traction, ultrasonic therapy etc.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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