Neck Pain - Pinched Nerve?

[sheddie0]

I was wondering if a fall on to my left hand(arm outstretched) could possibly cause a pinched nerve in my neck. I have Pain in my shoulder and radiating pain down to elbow. Seems that Rotator Cuff is ok(ultrasound) Could be some bursa problem. Very tender spot in neck, feels like pinched nerve to me,quite painful to touch. I do have a slight Carpal Tendon Problem, but this was diagnosed before my fall. Since my fall, my hand gets a lot more tingly and numb. Shoulder seems to seize up if I sleep on the left side sometimes. Pain in shoulder and arm is not there all the time. Too much driving on long trips tends to leave me very sore in shoulder and arm down to elbow. Physio seems to relieve me for a while. Cortisone injection 12 months ago relieved shoulder for a while. Any ideas forthcoming please? Do you think I should ask for an ultra sound on my cervical spine to see if there is a pinched nerve there? Regards, Cheryl, South Australia, Australia. Thankyou

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Yes it is possible, but nerve injuries further down in the arm are also possibilities when someone falls on an outstretched arm.
I do think that further workup of the symptoms would be helpful, at the very least a formal neruological exam. An MRI of the cervical spine would be a much better test than an ultrasound, depending on what is available to you in South Australia.  Also, an EMG may be helpful to evaluate the extent of nerve injury there is to your arm. Depending on how bad the injury is, we usually recommend light physical therapy, anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen or tylenol, and no heavy lifting. Massage therapy can also sometimes be helpful. In more serious cases, surgery may be the only option. Consider seeing a neurologist who can help point you in the right direction. Good luck.

[sheddie0]

Thankyou for your advice. I think I will follow your suggestions when I see my local doctor this week. By the way I forgot to mention that I had this fall 21 months ago, and anti inflammatory tablets(Celebrex?) haven't helped. Also could I please get some advice on what an EMG is. Thankyou, regards Cheryl Zeck, South Australia. PS. We do have MRI's available all over Australia. Our medical coverage is very extensive and up to date here.

[FAB]

I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING PAIN IN THE LEFT SIDE OF MY NECK FOR TWO
YEARS,ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO I STARTED SUFFERING FROM FAINTS,I
WAS ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL WHERE I WORE AN ECG MONITOR FOR 5 DAYS
DOCTORS CAME TO THE CONCLUSION I SUFFERED FROM ELECTROID HEART
PROBLEMS AND I WAS FITTED WITH A PACEMAKER. HOWEVER AFTER HAVING
THE PACEMAKER IN FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS I COLLAPSED AGAIN.AFTER
ATTENDING A TILT TABLE TEST IT WAS DECIDED I HAD BLOOD PRESSURE PROBLEMS,I WAS PRESCRIBED FLORINEF TABLETS AND A 5mg BETA
BLOCKER.MY NECK PROBLEMS WERE DEEMED NOT TO BE RELATED TO MY
FAINTS BUT I STILL FEEL DIZZY AND HAVE NO NECK MUSCLE LEFT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY NECK WHICH IS CAUSING MY LEFT SHOULDER BLADE
TO STICK UP, I AM ALSO SUFFERING PAIN BEHIND AND BESIDE MY THROAT AND THE BASE OF MY SKULL. SORRY THIS IS SO LONG BUT ANY
ADVICE WOULD BE HELPFUL.

[steph22]

Hello my name is stephanie I am 22 years old. I have been having neck pain for a couple of weeks. I had an MRI on my neck everythting come back fine. The pain is only on my left side, then my arm started feeling really heavy and I could bearly move it. It was hard for me to make a fist.That lasted for two days, but my arm is still sore. But in the fold of my arm were you would get a shot there is a place i can push and it is very painful. my question is the area in my arm that is painful could that be were a nerve is running from my neck?
                                          thanks,
                                          stephanie

P.S.
I have been weak and have not
had energy, and my muscules are tight
all the way up my left side of my neck

[steph22]

Hello my name is stephanie I am 22 years old. I have been having neck pain for a couple of weeks. I had an MRI on my neck everythting come back fine. The pain is only on my left side, then my arm started feeling really heavy and I could bearly move it. It was hard for me to make a fist.That lasted for two days, but my arm is still sore. But in the fold of my arm were you would get a shot there is a place i can push and it is very painful. my question is the area in my arm that is painful could that be were a nerve is running from my neck?
                                          thanks,
                                          stephanie

P.S.
I have been weak and have not
had energy, and my muscules are tight
all the way up my left side of my neck

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