What Causes Tingling Numbness In Arms, Blurred Vision And Leg Pain?

Posted on Tue, 22 Mar 2016

Question: IN August 2012 I injured my shoulder at work and got bursitis which resulted in me being unable to lift my arm. I also had pain down my whole arm and tingling in my fingers. That was treated with physio. My arm has felt weak ever since since then and I also still have the pain down my right arm and the tingling in my fingers - that hasn't gone away. I wake up at night all the time because of my arm hurting. I had EMG it was normal. I've had cortisone into shoulder also. I saw a Dr today and he is trying me on meloxicam for 2 weeks, then lyrica for 2 weeks. He is then going to refer me to orthopaedic dr who also deals with nerve pain. I've also noticed my vision blurry at times - I had this checked by optometrist - normal. I have been checked for diabetes as my mother had it and I don't have that. I've also got pain in my legs alot and have to stretch my legs all the time as they ache. I had plantar fasciitis treated. I do calf stretches all the time. I'm also finding when I'm talking and forget what I'm saying (more than the odd time). I'm also finding I'm tripping up alot when walking

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need to rule out Cervical and Lumbar spondylosis with nerve pinching

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Thanks for the query.

If you are having tingling and numbness in your arms with pain radiating from the back of the neck and shoulder, then you probably have Cervical spondylosis with nerve root compression on the neck. This is a commonly missed diagnosis and needs to be regularly examined.

You need to get an Xray of the Cervical spine to look for bony changes and am MRI as well to look for the nerve root and spinal cord compression.

It is possible that you have never root compression in the spine of your lower back region as well due to possible slip disc. This can cause leg weakness, cramps, stiffness and increased chance of slipping or tripping.

You could get a Lumbar spine Xray as well. Avoid bending forwards or lifting weights. Apply hot packs to the painful regions.

Take Tablet Diclofenac and Thicolchicoside combination twice a day for 5 days after meals and Tablet Rantac 150mg twice a day for 5 days before meals.

Please Avoid taking Meloxicam.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Thanks and regards.

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (22 hours later)

My GP wants me to take the meloxican for 2 weeks for the shoulder pain because of my history of bursitis and the orthopedic surgeon said I am probably going to need an arthroscopy. I need to see if that reduces the shoulder pain and then I will stop taking that and start the lyrica to see if that reduces the tingling and pain in the arm.
Can you tell me if my bowel problems with diarrhoea could be caused from nerve compression affecting control? I have had recent colonoscopy all normal. Also my bladder is very sensitive and I have frequency alot and get urgency to go but only pass a bit of urine. I don't have a urine infection.
Thanks for your further advice
Lorraine

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Irritable bowel syndrome and possibly Urinary incontinence due to prolapse

Detailed Answer:
Your bowel problem is not related to nerve compression. In such cases you could experience only constipation.

Urinary incontinence could be due to uterine prolapse or other gynecological conditions which requires examination by a Gynaecologist arms isn't related to spinal cord compression.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T