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Suggest Treatment For Pain In The Hands And Arms
Question: For about a month, I have been having trouble sleeping. I actually will wake up from the pain in my hands and arms. It is primarily in my right arm but I have experienced it in both. They are numb and tingling. Sometimes it takes an hour after getting up for them to be normal again.
About a year ago, I was experiencing what I called tennis elbow. I rarely carried things in my right arm for fear of dropping it. I also developed a bump above my elbow, but that went away.
About a year ago, I was experiencing what I called tennis elbow. I rarely carried things in my right arm for fear of dropping it. I also developed a bump above my elbow, but that went away.
Brief Answer:
Please read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from your description of the associated numbness and tingling the pain seems to be related to a peripheral nerve issue. The most common cause is carpal tunnel syndrome, due to compression of the median nerve as it traverses the carpal tunnel in the wrist. It may happen on one side only, but also bilaterally. The other most common cause is ulnar nerve compression, which might happen at the elbow level.
Compression of the nerve roots in the neck due to arthritic changes of the spine is another possible cause, but usually there is some neck pain as well.
In order to make a diagnosis it is necessary to have a test called nerve conduction studies, which studies the peripheral nerves in different points along their course, enabling the identification of the nerve involved and the compression site.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Regards
Please read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from your description of the associated numbness and tingling the pain seems to be related to a peripheral nerve issue. The most common cause is carpal tunnel syndrome, due to compression of the median nerve as it traverses the carpal tunnel in the wrist. It may happen on one side only, but also bilaterally. The other most common cause is ulnar nerve compression, which might happen at the elbow level.
Compression of the nerve roots in the neck due to arthritic changes of the spine is another possible cause, but usually there is some neck pain as well.
In order to make a diagnosis it is necessary to have a test called nerve conduction studies, which studies the peripheral nerves in different points along their course, enabling the identification of the nerve involved and the compression site.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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