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Neurology (Expert Forum)
tingling and pain in arms
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tingling and pain in arms
by John-Parlberg, Jun 08, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by John Paarlberg on June 08, 1999 at 09:19:58
For the past few months I have been experiencing pain and a tingling sensation in both arms and hands (especially the thumb, index and middle fingers), mostly at night. Sometimes I am awakened by the pain and need to move my arms to relieve the symptoms. I have also recently begun to experience involuntary twitching in my arms and legs when I am lying in bed and about to go to sleep. I rarely have any symptoms during the day, except for occasional numbness in my arms while driving. What might be causing these symptoms?
Posted by CCF MD mdf on June 08, 1999 at 12:37:57
The two most likely sites for the problem are the neck and the wrists.
In the neck, nerve roots come out either side of the cervical spine, leaving the spinal cord on their way to go through a "freeway interchange" called the brachial plexus, and then become actual nerves which distribute to different regions of the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and hand.
In many people, various mechanical factors compress the nerve roots and cause pain and/or numbness to radiate to different regions of the upper extremity. These mechanical factors are usually related to wear and tear - for example, debris from discs that have lost their natural springiness and firmness.
In the wrist, the median nerve goes under a bundle of connective tissue called the carpal tunnel. If that happens to get inflamed or somehow narrowed, the mechanical compression of the nerve causes symptoms of pain, numbness, etc, in a specific distribution in the hand. As you may have guessed, this is called carpal tunnel syndrome.
I can't make a specific diagnosis here - it would be appropriate to see a neurologist, who can perform a physical exam as well as take a careful history from you. Tests which can nail this down include MRI of the cervical spine and EMG / nerve conduction study of the hands. That doesn't mean you would get either or both of these tests, but it should help you figure out what to expect.
I hope this helps. CCF MD mdf.
Posted by KT on June 13, 1999 at 00:21:41
The doc here gave you excellent advice. Once you see your own doctors and get an understanding of what is going on, hopefully you may find that some therapy to treat the pain, perhaps correct any muscle and postural weakness/imbalance and address the way you use your hands/arms, may help with this problem. Hope you get some relief.
Posted by RC on July 12, 1999 at 23:14:38
I have experienced same symptoms and have received relief by placing a thick pillow between my legs during sleep. I also changed my pillow for my head to very soft,making sure my neck did not bend. These two steps help support the back, neck and spine. I have been able to rest much better. Hope it will help you as well.
Posted by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS on July 13, 1999 at 12:53:22
Dear RC:
Thanks for the comments.
CCF Neuro MD
