De Forest, WI | redoak - 10/14/2022 20:06 Tore rotator cuff in right arm so started favouring my left for work. Now from above elbow to finger tips they are constantly numb, not bad when working but painful sitting ,especially driving. From previous tests I suspect it nerves in neck as when I tilt head way back I can feel it in my finger tips. My Dr. of 45 yrs. retired so working with a new one and its a learning experience as my old Doc would just send me right to a specialist as I did have that on right hand arm maybe 10 yrs. ago...I can't recall what the cure was ,but I do remember the clips on the fingers and feeling like he plugged an extension cord into my neck. To releave some pain I have been using some deep heat creams or taking Robax but I don't think they really do much other than some temporary relief. Any suggestions appreciated
Pinched nerves can come from swelling/inflammation that causes a nerve to be impinged. It can also come from physical changes/movement of structures such as a desiccated disc in the back, bone spur, etc. If the problem is caused by inflammation, then it can be hard to get under control without reducing the inflammation. Doctors sometimes use cortisone shots for this purpose, but that is the extreme end.
If you notice the problem is WORSE when working or using the specific part of the anatomy and gets WORSE when you stop and take a long time to resolve (but DOES resolve) then it is a good bet the problem is inflammation. I have had good luck taking the max does of ibuprofen for a few days and NOT using the affected area. The issues usually resolve and I am then fine. If I overwork the area it can come back.
For any PHYSCIAL/structural problem that is where X-Ray and MRI come into play. They are looking for nerve impingement caused by a physical issue vs inflammation.
Carpal Tunnel does not run up your arm. There is a "tunnel" in your carpus (your hard area) through which specific nerves are located. If there is swelling in this area that pinches the "tunnel" and the nerves inside then you can have symptoms from pins and needles feeling, to numb fingers to loss of motor control depending how bad the swelling is pinching the nerves.
Surgery for this is simply cutting some of the tunnel open to relieve the pressure. It will not fix the problem if the area is constantly over worked. There are very specific fingers involved with carpal tunnel "syndrome". If fingers OTHER than the little finger are involved then it is a good bet it is related to swelling in carpal tunnel. If the pinky is involved then it is more likely to be the ulnar nerve that runs across your elbow.
The "SIMPLE" thing to try is some NSAID (Ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) If that IMPROVES the condition then it is most likely caused by inflammation. Determine WHAT is causing the inflammation (Overuse, damage, etc.) and work to fix the cause. If NSAIDs do nothing, even at the max does for a couple days, then it is more likely an anatomic/structural problem that needs to be fixed (Chiropractic, surgical, etc.). X-Ray, Ultrasound, MRI can help find any anatomic issues. Is something worn out, out of place, broken, etc.
Edited by moon1234 10/24/2022 01:01
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NAT Drs. numb arm/hand ?
