Re: bulging disc/forearm numbness/headaches

Posted By CCF Neurology MD - AY on January 05, 1999 at 22:15:01:

In Reply to: bulging disc/forearm numbness/headaches posted by valerie freburger on January 05, 1999 at 12:53:01:






Three years ago I was involved in a car accident. I was diagnosed with a concusion,bulging disc (c4,c5 t1,t2). Along with the bulging disc I started to experience a numbing sensation that runs down my right arem into my pinkey finger and the one next to it. Test EEG test were ran and came back negative. I was told since there was minimum buldging with my disc, that were proably not the reason for the tingle sensation that I experience. I was also told that the neck pain that I endure is due to soft tissue injury and not the four bulging disc. How can this be? One year after my car accident, I was involved in another accident. Another MRI was performed and it was discovered that I now have another disc(c7) along with the orginal 4 bulging disc. Along with the new accident I now experience, lack of sensation in my forearm along wit the other symptoms. EEG test were ran again, and again were negative. I also have had headaches on a daily basis since the sencond accident that I am currently taking medication for. Along with the second accident I experience a pinching sensation at the base of my neck along with a grinding sensation, constant pain, inflamation (inflammation) and knots that radiate form my neck to sholder area. As for the lack of sensation in my right forearm section they noted that I have a spur near my alnur nerve, but I am told that is not the reason for the lack of sensation. My second diagnoses is once again "soft tissue injury". Can someone please explain to me how I can have five buldging disc and my diagnoses is considered to be soft tissue. Arent they two diffrent things? Can someone please tell me what is going on and if my problem can be solved, or will I have to live like this for the rest of my life.
Best Reguards:
Valerie Freburger




Thanks for your question.  It appears that you have fairly disseminated
degenerative joint/disc disease affecting multiple cervical and thoracic
levels.  It is difficult to determine whether the accidents actually caused
the disc protrusions, or more likely, that they exacerbated previously
existant lesions.  The exact cause of your pain symptoms is also not easy
to determine from your description because one would need to examined the
neuro-imaging studies that you have undergone so far.  A minor degree of
disc protrusion can be asymptomatic if it is not impinging on the spinal
cord.  Regarding the "numbness" symptoms in your arm, they could be the
result of either an Ulnar nerve injury, or a C8-T1 nerve root compression.
Usually the peripheral nerve injury is more frequent, however, given your
history of cervical disc problems, one should definitely consider a
central cause.  One confusion point in your message:  I am assuming that
you did a spelling error when you referred to the electrodiagnostic tests;
that you had two electromyograms (EMG) performed, and not two electroencephalograms
(EEG), for your investigation.
I hope this information is helpful.  Best of luck.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.