Neck Pain / Trapezius Pain / Weakness in Left Arm - Should I be concerned?

[phibaman]

At the end of Nov-09, I began to have severe migraines. Prior to that, I was attended many birthday parties and drank heavily. Since I have an HMO insurance, it took quite some time before I could see my neurologist. I had an MRI of my brain and there were no signs of tumor or irregularites. By Dec-09, I still had migraines and also began experiencing neck pains and weakness in my left arm.

I finally was able to see my neurologist in Jan-10 and explained to him about my migraines and neck pains. He did not feel that the migraines were caused from injury of my neck and prescribed me propranolol and nortriptyline for the migraines. The headaches were getting better but my neck pain was getting worse. I had another MRI in Feb-10 for the neck and the report indicated:

1. There is a reversal of the normal cervical lordosis without subluxation of facet.
2. At the c5-6 disc space, a 1mm bulge in the annulus with a central annular tear is present. There is no spinal stenosis.
3. At the c6-7 disc space, there is a 1 mm cetnral protrusion.

I went to the same neurologist on 03/01/10 and showed him my MRI results for my neck. Again, he did not feel that this was the cause of my migraines. Based on the MRI results of my neck, he did not think that it is anything serious and prescribed me with Soma. He seemed convinced that the migraines were caused by "chemical imbalance" in my brain.


I stopped playing basketball and working out for a couple months now. I am currently attending physical therapy and the pain for my neck as reduced. However, I continue to feel pain around my trapezius area and numbness in my left arm/hand once in a while.

Based on my MRI, how serious is my situation? I am only 26 years old and seeing that this is happening to me at such an early age is depressing. How can treat this and get healthy again?

[phibaman]

Thanks for reply Kalvin. I will continue Physical Therapy for another week or so.

I am still confused and curious on how why this injury has not healed yet.

[Kalvin]

Probably the best way to get healthy again is to continue with the Physical Therapy and slowly increase your physical activities. Your MRI isn’t all that bad, bulging discs and annular tears do heal in most people. Yes, you’re kind of young for this, but it’s probably to your benefit that this was caught now instead of in 10 years when it’s much more serious.

I’m a little puzzled by your Neurologist diagnosis of your migraines, true migraine headaches are thought to comprise only 8% of all headache episodes, headaches are very common with neck problems, there actually not migraines but are cervicogenic headaches that originate from the cervical spine. I guess it doesn't matter where it comes from as long as it gets better, right.