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What Causes Tingling And Numbness On The Jaw Along With Pain Behind The Ear?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Aug 2016
Question: I have pain behind my right ear with lower jaw tingling and numbness and lip contortions. I have severe pins a needles and weakness in both arms with XXXXXXX horse cramps in hands along with the same in my feet. The numbers will be in my neck, chest and upper stomach at times but not as constant as the face and limbs. What is causing this. Please help
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Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Possible cord affectation in C4-C6 area

Detailed Answer:
Good evening and thank you very much for posing your question on this network. So, in 2012 you had a cervical spinal column procedure from C4-6. I assume this was some type of laminectomy, laminotomy, possibly with fusion but maybe not as well. I'm also assuming that these symptoms have been present for quite some time though you didn't really give the history or evolution on the symptoms. It would be helpful for example, to know whether or not the symptoms in the upper extremities or lower extremities began first and whether or not they have become constant or stable or are they continuing to get worse? You get spasms in the hands and feet. And paresthesias are present not only in the extremities but also the neck, chest, and upper abdomen. You are also complaining of sensations in the face which should not typically be part of a picture of neck surgery and its aftermath except for the fact that there is a portion of the TRIGEMINAL NERVE (Cranial Nerve V) that is referred to as the spinal portion of the nerve and this trajectory of the nerve actually dips into the upper spinal cord segments. Therefore, anything that happens in the area of the spinal cord (such as surgeries or aftermaths of surgeries) can affect the spinal segment of CN V and cause some of the symptoms you're referring to in the face of jaw tingling and numbness as well as some small amount of motor movement in the lower lip and jaw primarily.
Its location explains the possible appearance of symptoms in the facial territory in patients with a degenerative/inflammatory disorder of the upper cervical spinal cord regions.

And so it would appear that anatomically your symptoms most likely fit a localization the C4-6 level of what may very well be a condition referred to as MYELOMALACIA which would be the equivalent to shrinkage or "scarring" of the segments of the spinal cord in the area where you had your neck surgery. An MRI of the neck will demonstrate if such a condition exists or if there are bony abnormalities possibly higher up than C4 that could be a consequence of degenerative arthritic changes which could be causing a spinal canal narrowing or stenosis which I believe is the only reasonable way we could get both legs and arms involved in this picture.

At the same time I would definitely recommend checking metabolic parameters such as thyroid panels, Vitamin D, D2, and D3, Vit. B12, folate, ESR, and C-reactive protein. If you haven't been checked for diabetes ro hypercholesterolemia those should be looked at, and of course, it's always standard for us to make sure that both LIVER and KIDNEYS are functioning fully well when people complain of the types of symptoms you have...though I'm sure yours are fine....nevertheless...it's always recommended to have completed a full metabolic screen.

If I've satisfactorily addressed your question then, could you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THIS QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback and a 5 STAR rating to our transaction if you feel the response has helped you? Again, many thanks for posing your question.

Do not forget to recontact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 53 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2472 Questions

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What Causes Tingling And Numbness On The Jaw Along With Pain Behind The Ear?

Brief Answer: Possible cord affectation in C4-C6 area Detailed Answer: Good evening and thank you very much for posing your question on this network. So, in 2012 you had a cervical spinal column procedure from C4-6. I assume this was some type of laminectomy, laminotomy, possibly with fusion but maybe not as well. I'm also assuming that these symptoms have been present for quite some time though you didn't really give the history or evolution on the symptoms. It would be helpful for example, to know whether or not the symptoms in the upper extremities or lower extremities began first and whether or not they have become constant or stable or are they continuing to get worse? You get spasms in the hands and feet. And paresthesias are present not only in the extremities but also the neck, chest, and upper abdomen. You are also complaining of sensations in the face which should not typically be part of a picture of neck surgery and its aftermath except for the fact that there is a portion of the TRIGEMINAL NERVE (Cranial Nerve V) that is referred to as the spinal portion of the nerve and this trajectory of the nerve actually dips into the upper spinal cord segments. Therefore, anything that happens in the area of the spinal cord (such as surgeries or aftermaths of surgeries) can affect the spinal segment of CN V and cause some of the symptoms you're referring to in the face of jaw tingling and numbness as well as some small amount of motor movement in the lower lip and jaw primarily. Its location explains the possible appearance of symptoms in the facial territory in patients with a degenerative/inflammatory disorder of the upper cervical spinal cord regions. And so it would appear that anatomically your symptoms most likely fit a localization the C4-6 level of what may very well be a condition referred to as MYELOMALACIA which would be the equivalent to shrinkage or "scarring" of the segments of the spinal cord in the area where you had your neck surgery. An MRI of the neck will demonstrate if such a condition exists or if there are bony abnormalities possibly higher up than C4 that could be a consequence of degenerative arthritic changes which could be causing a spinal canal narrowing or stenosis which I believe is the only reasonable way we could get both legs and arms involved in this picture. At the same time I would definitely recommend checking metabolic parameters such as thyroid panels, Vitamin D, D2, and D3, Vit. B12, folate, ESR, and C-reactive protein. If you haven't been checked for diabetes ro hypercholesterolemia those should be looked at, and of course, it's always standard for us to make sure that both LIVER and KIDNEYS are functioning fully well when people complain of the types of symptoms you have...though I'm sure yours are fine....nevertheless...it's always recommended to have completed a full metabolic screen. If I've satisfactorily addressed your question then, could you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THIS QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback and a 5 STAR rating to our transaction if you feel the response has helped you? Again, many thanks for posing your question. Do not forget to recontact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others. This query has utilized a total of 53 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.