Sharp pains in head and elbow

[Frank2411]

Hi,
For the past few days, I have been experiencing sharp pains on the left side of my head which are usually followed by sharp pains in my left elbow. I also get the sharp elbow pains without the head pain at times. When I get the pain in my elbow, I also feel a slight numbness as well. Can anyone tell me what these symptoms could be caused by? Thank you

[CazD17]

I have the same problem. I getting needle-like stabbing pains behind my right ear and the same sort of pain in my elbow, all at the same time. I have had this since Nov 07 and no one can seem to help me. Physio sometime relieves it for a day or so but nothing is permanent.

Many years ago I had an op for my ulner nerve, but this is a different sort of pain.

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Your symptoms of head and elbow pains are somewhat unusual and difficult to tie together. A process in the brain or spine that would lead to both head and arm pain would typically involve the whole side of the head and arm rather than a specific area of the arm (i.e. the elbow). However, one potential diagnosis that comes to mind is radiculopathy. The spinal cord is encased by bones called vertebra. Nerves start to form as they come off the spinal cord and exit through holes formed between the vertebra. If a nerve is compressed on as it exits through these holes, particularly in an area called the nerve root, a radiculopathy results. The compression could be due to arthritis of the spine or due to a herniated disc or other lesions. The symptoms include pain at the level of the problem (i.e. neck or back etc) and pain that may radiate down the arm or leg (depending on where the problem is). In more advanced cases, muscle weakness or sensory symptoms such as tingling or numbness may occur. A radiculopathy is often diagnosed based on history, physical examination, and MRI of the spine.With multiple pinched nerves, the one that involves the head (called C2) and the one that involves the elbow (called C6) could be involved.

Alternatively, and more likely, your head and elbow pains may be unrelated. Stabbing head pains have various causes including primary headache disorders (such as cluster headaches, which cause sharp pain behind the eye often at night, hemicrania continua, which cause sharp one-sided head pains, a disorder called primary stabbing headache which often occurs in people with migraine, and others). These are usually benign conditions that are treatable with specific medications prescribed by a headache specialist (or general neurologist).

Your elbow pain associated with numbness may be due to a radiculopathy or an ulnar neuropathy. The ulnar nerve supplies innervation to some of the muscles and the skin on the side of the arm closer to the body (the "medial" forearm and hand), including the pinky and ring finger. Ulnar neuropathy is a type of irritation of the ulnar nerve.. Ulnar neuropathy causes numbness, tingling, or pain into the arm and hand on the side of the little finger. This is sometimes called "handlebar palsy", because it frequently happens in bicyclists who sustain repeated shocks and bouncing that can occur while holding the handlebars when riding. Other activities that involve stress on the hands and wrists may also irritate the ulnar nerve and cause ulnar neuropathy.

Again it is difficult to tie your head and elbow symptoms together, and they are likely unrelated. However, it is important for you to understand that if you have not experienced headaches in the past and you are now having new head pains, seeing a physician is a good idea, just to make sure there is nothing serious causing this head pain, and also for evaluation of your elbow pain.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[seekfind]

Lyme Disease.