Posted By CCF Neurology W6 MD on February 20, 1999 at 18:40:21:
In Reply to: Cervical and
WristWrist pain Pain posted by Milo on February 15, 1999 at 14:55:14:
On Oct.16, 97 I was injured in a side impact vehicle accident in which I recevied a cervical
strainStrains injury.In the beginning the symptoms,which are confined to my right side, were
headHead and face reconstruction
Head injury
Head lice
Indications of head injury
Radial head injury,
neckCervical spondylosis
Head and neck glands
Herpes zoster (shingles) on the neck and cheek
Irritated seborrheic kerotosis - neck
Lymph tissue in the head and neck.
Melanoma - neck
Neck lump
Neck pain
Neck pulse
Neck x-ray
Oral cancer,and upper back pain and
numbnessNumbness and tingling.About three months later I began having pain and numbess in the right forearm and
wristWrist pain. The wrist pain,which is very sharp and brief,and at times seems to radiate to the neck area,occurs when I use my right hand or fingers to perform slight movements that require putting pressure on my wrist. The head ,neck and back pain varies from day to day depending on how much I use my right arm.I have had numerous tests including cervical MRI,C-SCAN,MYELOGRAM,X-RAYS AND EMG.I also have had Chiropractic care and P.T. All of the tests were normal except for the MRI which showed a small HNP at C4-5.This HNP was thought to be of no real concern and not related to the symptoms I had and continue to have.Presently,I am taking Neurontin, Flexaril and Zoloft and I have received one session of T.P.INJECTIONS
that slightly reduced the pain for a couple of days.The greatest amount of pain relief has come from TENS which I use the majority of the day.Usually,the pain is most intense in the morning and gradually lessens unless I overuse my right arm during the day.
I have been treated by Orthopedics ,Chiropractic,and by anesthesiology(TPI)
Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.Thank You.
Hi Milo,
thank you for your question.
I think you are doing the right thing, a combination of PT, TPInjection,
coupled with some medicines (muscle relaxant and neurontin) and TENS unit are most likely to produce the best outcome.
I agree that your pain sounds neuropathic in origin.
If you think the current combination of therapy is not doing the job or not doing the job anymore, then you might want to consider a more invasive techniques, such as ganglion block, or even spinal cord stimulator.
We at the Cleveland Clinic offer one of the most comprehensive care for pain. If you live near CLeveland and would like to be evaluated in our pain clinic don't hesitate to call us, 1-800 CCF CARE.
Good luck to you.