Beginings of C6 problem?

[DPM111]

I work at my computer a lot, and a couple months ago I started having aches and pains in my right shoulder and arm.  Now I have little pain, but when I reach out to work at my keyboard, I get pins-and-needles in my arm and thumb and forefinger.  My doctor thinks this is not thorasic outlet syndrom (he did a pulse test) but more likely a minor herniation of a disk.

He suggests I take anti-inflamatories (Motrin) and that the material from the disk will naturally shrink and this problem will likely go away in a few months.  But a chiropractor I asked thinks this might be a degenerative condition that will get worse and worse.

What should I do?  Get some better tests?  Are there real long-term solutions to this kind of problem?  I'd like to take some intelligent action now that will head off debilitating problems in the future, if that is possible.

[jlh77]

Your dermatomal patterns are for a C5-6 spinal nerve.  Just because you no longer have pain doesn't mean your problem is fixed.  Many times people with reduced cervical curves or kyphoitc (reversed) curves develop these type of symptoms.  Most often on the right side because of the mousing hand.  Try to set your desk in a better ergonomic postion and be conscious of your head postion.  It should be directly over your shoulders.  Do some strenghtening exercises to bring your shoulders back.  Plus restoring your cervical curve is extremely important.  

[Prem Pillay, MD]

I would not speculate based on your symptoms alone. You should see a neurosurgeon/neurospine specialist to get a thorough spine examination and  an MRI of your cervical spine.
You still could have a slipped disc or foraminal stenosis in your neck.
A variety of treatment options could be useful depending on the severity of the problem: physiotherapy, pain blocks, endoscopic microdiscetomy, microdiscetomy with disc replacement, percutaneous discoplasty etc.

Dr Prem Pillay FACS
Director of Neuro and Spine Services
Neuro Spine and Pain Center
Singapore

www.spine-neuro.org
http://neurospine.blogspot.com

[Zak_Han]

It sounds like what you're describing is soft tissue injuries around neck and sholder, which can become worse over time. Given the severity of your sensation and the functional limitations it's now placing on you, it probably is time to consult with a reputable medical acupuncturist.  who can help you determine your next step as deep and intensive acupuncture work for this tissue injuries.

Good luck!

[DPM111]

Thanks Dr. Han.  I'm not really feeling pain, and I have no troubles turning my head.  But I feel tingling in my thumb, forefinger, forearm and sometimes biceps, when I reach out or if I tilt my head far back.  So something is going on.  I guess it is better now in the sense there is no pain anymore, but I don't remember there being this tingling sensation before.

[Zak_Han]

Your doctor is right!
It is a common misconception that arm pain always stems from the pressure of a slipped disc or a trapped nerve.  This is misleading, the main cause of pain is inflammation stimulating nerves, causing the pain signal.

So anti-inflammation tablet can help! If pain constant,send massage to me.
Good luck!