Non-CTS Thumb numbness?

[SassyCat]

Hi-About 6 weeks ago I woke with a very painful stiff neck. Over the next 2 weeks it persisted and the pain traveled into my right shoulder/blade/deltoid areas. It felt like there was a needle in my deltoid. Then pain/tingling started to travel down my arm and I finally went to the doc when my thumbtip started feeling numb (about 18 days after stiff neck started.) Gave Rx for naproxen and icing for 2 weeks. During that time, pain subsided, but tingling up & down arm and numbness in thumb worsened. Tingling comes and goes,  esp when my head is tilted back or to that side, and esp if leaning forward from the waist at the same time. Thumb numbness is constant, mainly on the outer side, and sometimes travels to base of thumb and forefinger. Thumb always feels like it is cold, but when I compare to "normal" thumb by touching both to my face, they feel the same temp. Went back to doc (family med), she is convinced this is a CTS issue; ordered EMG and referred me to a hand surgeon, who I can't see for 2 more weeks. Doc who did EMG & NCT said she didn't see much abnormal. I have had CTS issues in the past, and thought wearing my brace would help, but it has not helped at all, and almost seems to make the numbness worse. Sometimes have a feeling of a band of tightness/tingling around my forearm just below elbow, and same thing around upper arm. Any ideas??? I would really just like my thumb to feel normal again! Thanks for your time.

[Motomom397]

I was just wondering how you have progressed with your condition.  While researching my numb right thumb after sleeping on my neck wrong I came across your story.  Was just wondering what, if anything, has helped.  Thanks so much.

[Anant10]

Hi,

Your complaints could be due to CTS and subluxation/ dislocation of disk in the cervical spine.The relationship between spinal health and carpal tunnel has been documented.Nerve compression in the neck can block the flow of nutrients of the nerves in the wrist, making it more susceptible to injury (double crush syndrome).

You should see a chiropractor to have spine tested for spinal subluxations. Also, your surgeon can suggest if some intervention is required for CTS.