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Neck Pain, Tingling Left Arm, Pinched Nerve By Test, Prescribed Muscle Relaxer And Steroids. Suggestion?
I had left neck pain a month or so back, I was holding my son and thought he was laying on my neck and gave me a stiff neck... Well it never went away, then I started having pain run down my left arm, went to a medical building they said I might have a pinched nerve it would probably last two weeks prescribed a muscle relaxer and steroid.. Muscle relaxer didn't seem like it worked and took all of the steroids. Now I noticed I'm getting a little bit of tingling in my left hand, what would be going on.? Who should I go see to help with this?
Thu, 3 Oct 2013
Welcome to HCM.
Your symptoms suggest some nerve route compression in the cervical region.
Better go for cervical digital x-ray (AP/LATERAL view) to confirm the diagnosis.
Continue muscle relaxant with nsaid. You have to take oral as well as injections of b12 with nsaid to get speedy recovery.Local application of nsaid gel will be helpful.
Physiotherapy will be helpful but start it under guidance of your doctor and physiotherapist.
Your symptoms suggest some nerve route compression in the cervical region.
Better go for cervical digital x-ray (AP/LATERAL view) to confirm the diagnosis.
Continue muscle relaxant with nsaid. You have to take oral as well as injections of b12 with nsaid to get speedy recovery.Local application of nsaid gel will be helpful.
Physiotherapy will be helpful but start it under guidance of your doctor and physiotherapist.
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Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Your description of symptoms are highly suggestive of cervical disc disease with radiculopathy.
An MRI scan of the cervical spine is needed to establish the diagnosis.
The conservative management of your condition is as follows -
Soft Collar: Soft collar allow the muscles of the neck to rest and limit neck motion. This can help decrease pinching of nerve roots with movement. Soft collars should only be worn for short periods of time, because long-term wear can decrease the strength of neck muscles.
Medicines: Analgesic are needed in the acute phase. Muscle relaxants are essential for relieving muscle spasms once the acute pain subsides. Neurotropic vitamins like METHYLCOBALAMINE (activated Vit B12) or PREGABALIN will help in alleviating the neuropathic pain.
Cervical traction: may enlarge the disc space, permitting the prolapse to subside. Intermittent cervical traction for not more than 30 minutes at a time. Weight upto 8kg can be added.
Physiotherapy: Once the acute phase of pain has subsided, Isometric strengthening exercises of the paravertebral muscles are started. Improving neck strength and flexibility with simple exercises may lessen discomfort and pain. Moist heat can be useful
Epidural steroids: are useful for patients with severe radicular pains in the limbs. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory preparation and so its injections in the "epidural space" can decrease swelling as well as pain.
If the symptoms do not resolve with the above measures, consult an orthosurgeon and follow his advice.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
Your description of symptoms are highly suggestive of cervical disc disease with radiculopathy.
An MRI scan of the cervical spine is needed to establish the diagnosis.
The conservative management of your condition is as follows -
Soft Collar: Soft collar allow the muscles of the neck to rest and limit neck motion. This can help decrease pinching of nerve roots with movement. Soft collars should only be worn for short periods of time, because long-term wear can decrease the strength of neck muscles.
Medicines: Analgesic are needed in the acute phase. Muscle relaxants are essential for relieving muscle spasms once the acute pain subsides. Neurotropic vitamins like METHYLCOBALAMINE (activated Vit B12) or PREGABALIN will help in alleviating the neuropathic pain.
Cervical traction: may enlarge the disc space, permitting the prolapse to subside. Intermittent cervical traction for not more than 30 minutes at a time. Weight upto 8kg can be added.
Physiotherapy: Once the acute phase of pain has subsided, Isometric strengthening exercises of the paravertebral muscles are started. Improving neck strength and flexibility with simple exercises may lessen discomfort and pain. Moist heat can be useful
Epidural steroids: are useful for patients with severe radicular pains in the limbs. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory preparation and so its injections in the "epidural space" can decrease swelling as well as pain.
If the symptoms do not resolve with the above measures, consult an orthosurgeon and follow his advice.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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