Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Subject: Re: Pinched Nerve?
Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum
Topic Area: Cerebral Palsy
Posted by CCF NSG MD /gsh on August 18, 1998 at 09:35:01:
In Reply to: Pinched Nerve? posted by Dave Michaels on August 16, 1998 at 23:05:05:


I recently had a strange experience. I fell asleep at my computer, upon
awakening I found my right hand to be asleep, or so I thought. After
several minutes I realized the blood circulation was not bringing my hand
back to life. I went to see a Neurologist and he said I suffered a pinched
nerve. However, he has yet to inform me on exactly how long my hand will
be inoperative. My hand hangs limp from the wrist and I have very little
control of my fingers. I have been seeing a muscle therapyst, visiting
him 3 days a week. But still very little improvement. It is closing in on
six weeks since the injury took place. Still no information on how long
this will go on.
Could you tell me how long a pinched nerve normally takes to heal?
Dear Dave,

Six weeks is a long time for a 'pinched nerve' to persist after simply falling
asleep in the wrong position. Usually the numbness and tingling goes away in
minutes to an hour or so. The weakness you describe is consistent with a
problem at the level of C8 in the cervical spine, or the radial nerve in the
arm. A stretch injury to C8/T1 can occur when the arm is stretched over the
head, and is occasionally seen in newborn babies when the arm is pulled on
during the birthing process. This is called a Klumpke's palsy.

You may have sustained an injury from falling asleep, but since it has persisted
for six weeks, it should be investigated. You may have a herniated cervical
disc to explain the weakness, or it could simply be a nerve compression syndrome
distally in the arm. An EMG would be a good test to investigate the nature
of your weakness. The physician may consider an MRI if you do not improve on
your own.

Speak to your neurologist regarding your persistent weakness and see whether
he doesn't think the above studies are appropriate at this time.

Good luck.
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