Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Shoulder Pain And Finger Numbness
Question: I have pain in the right shoulder and numbness in the thumb and first finger. Would you have thoughts on treatment?
Brief Answer:
Cervical radiculopathy or carpal tunnel syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Your presentation is quite straight forward, and the only 2 possibilities are the following:
1. Cervical radiculopathy: Is a pinched nerve caused by either inflammation or compression, and can be caused by a degenerative disk disease, herniated disc, and or cervical stenosis. This in my opinion is more likely because with this condition there will be pain in the shoulder and numbness in the thumb and the first finger.
Treatment options include steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (E.g. ibuprofen), physical therapy, and surgery is to be considered only if pain alleviation is required
2. Carpal tunnel syndrome: The median nerve is effected causing numbness in the thumb, first finger and sometimes even the middle finger
Treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen), corticosteroids, splinting, or surgical options.
You should consider consulting an orthopaedic specialist. I hope you find my response helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.
Best wishes.
Cervical radiculopathy or carpal tunnel syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Your presentation is quite straight forward, and the only 2 possibilities are the following:
1. Cervical radiculopathy: Is a pinched nerve caused by either inflammation or compression, and can be caused by a degenerative disk disease, herniated disc, and or cervical stenosis. This in my opinion is more likely because with this condition there will be pain in the shoulder and numbness in the thumb and the first finger.
Treatment options include steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (E.g. ibuprofen), physical therapy, and surgery is to be considered only if pain alleviation is required
2. Carpal tunnel syndrome: The median nerve is effected causing numbness in the thumb, first finger and sometimes even the middle finger
Treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen), corticosteroids, splinting, or surgical options.
You should consider consulting an orthopaedic specialist. I hope you find my response helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.
Best wishes.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
