May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Brain and Nervous System Decreased sensation in the back of the neck with tingling down to the arm and hand
Decreased sensation in the back of the neck with tingling down to the arm and hand |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: I did not see anything about neck pain.2 shoulder surgeries,arth in both knees and back. I have had 3 neck surgeries 03-05-Aug 2011 since the surgery I have no feeling in back of neck arm tingling down onto arm and hand then my arm gives out like it weighs 100 pounds hard for me to type arm falls on the keyboard Dear Cyndy: The Decreased sensation in the back of the neck with tingling down to the arm and hand as you described it may be due to a new cervical nerve compression or damage in the nerves involved in your previous three neck surgeries, but it would be important to rule out inflammation of the peripheral nerves at the level of the arm and hand. In the younger patients, cervical radiculopathy may be a result of a disc herniation or an acute injury causing impingement of an exiting nerve. In the older patient, cervical radiculopathy is often a result of spinal canal narrowing from bone (osteophyte) formation, decreased disc height and degenerative changes due to aging process. The treatment strategy usually includes: physical therapy program aimed to reduce pain and inflammation, and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs (as “motrin”, “advil”),TENS, also a re-education of habits and posture to improve quality of life. You should be independent in a stretching and strengthening program and continue with these exercises under the periodic supervision of a physical therapist initially and then completely on your own. Patients whose condition fails to improve with a comprehensive rehabilitation program and selective injections (medrol dose kit) should be presented with a surgical reevaluation. Often, patients should show progressive improvement over the first 6-8 weeks with conservative treatment.
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 13 January 2012 ) |
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