Will Mecobalamin work?

[Lai98]

A friend who get a symptom which lack of agile on left hand side fingers and it's already rule out TIA and CVA with CT scan. The symptom show partial nerves comprassion of Cervical nerve root. Taking mecobalamin but not sure it work or not. Any treatment for this case?

[Lai98]

My friend which I mentioned as above whom got five fingers lack of agile but able to movement.
MRI result showed that is ok (not comprassion) on C7 and C8 area but he present less agile of left hand finger.
Is it possible median nerve and ulnar nerve injury? And in this circumstance, is it possible to get fully recovery?

[caregiver222]

Well,. nerve entrapment at C8 causes numbness or loss of function near the proximal phalanx of the little finger. Nerve compression in the lower cervical area can have many etiologies. Degenerative arthritis for one. Or it can result from a physical injury many years ago. A 3T MRI, rather than a CT is the preferred means of differential diagnosis. Mecobalamin shouldn't do much one way or the other. Mild cervical traction for several minutes a day may help, but nerve compression in the lower segments of the cervical area do not respond as well. Do not use a cervical collar as it will reduce muscle tone. There are several directions to go in and they depend upon an evaluation of the MRI, and an opinion as to the cause of the compression. Many cases respond to axial traction several times a day and full range of motion exercises through the limits of pain, but there is a caveat. In a minority of cases this will make the situation worse. You need an in-person consult with a pain specialist - preferably someone who has experience with subluxation injuries - as to decide which way to go. The big problem is "self-splinting". The patient feels pain or discomfort and restricts movement. Then there is more pain. Common sense says that pain means to stop moving the limb, but that is the wrong thing to do. Movement must be through the limits of pain. If left alone often the patient will eventually be unable to hold a pencil and end up with a so-called frozen shoulder. Most likely, axial traction from 5-10 minutes a dozen times a day and range-of-motion exercises will help. Also isometric exercises that strengthen muscles that pull the spinal segments appart. These exercises include placing a hand against the forehead and pressing forward for a few seconds, then moving the hand around the head at 20-30 degree intervals. Untrasound is contraindicated and makes it worse - but many therapists use this treatment (I suppose because of insurance reimbursement). Don't let them do this. Do not use muscle relaxants, which are also ill-advised.