Dr. Kalra MD:
I live in Detroit MI. I lifted a heavy package in my arms last fall and all of a sudden a shot of pain went through my neck, back and arms right down to my ankles.
I was almost paralysed for the first few months. I strained every tendon or nerve tissue in the body. It is now July 2010 and pain still exists in my right hand when I try to write lying down.
Carpal tunnel syndrome? I don`t have a history of hypothyroidism. I`m very active. I bike-ride every day and adhere to a decent diet. Aspirin and pain killers are poison to the body if taken regularly.
You are a resourceful doctor and I am glad to have met you. Any advice at all from you would certainly be appreciated.
Douglas
Hi, this could be due to thoracic outlet syndrome, cervical spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome etc. Symptoms due to thoracic outlet syndrome include neck, shoulder, and arm pain, numbness, or impaired circulation to the extremities (causing discoloration). Often symptoms are reproduced when the arm is positioned above the shoulder or extended. Patients can have a wide spectrum of symptoms from mild and intermittent, to severe and constant. Pains can extend to the fingers and hands, causing weakness. Please visit website http://www.medicinenet.com/thoracic_outlet_syndrome/article.htm for more information.
Please get yourself investigated for cervical spondylosis too. As nerve compression at cervical level is responsible for pain in the arm, at times along with tingling sensations in hand too. MRI spine is usually done for diagnosis. Treatment is physiotherapy, hot compressions, pain killers etc.
Do you have history of hypothyroidism? Carpal tunnel syndrome is associated with compression of median nerve at wrist giving rise to numbness and pain in thumb and fingers.