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How Should Moderate To Severe Pain For 3 Days On The Left Side Of His Neck, Going Up To Behind The Ear Be Treated?
Question: My husband has had a moderate to severe pain for 3 days on the left side of his neck, going up to behind the ear. but not down into the shoulder. He just had a Medicare physical last week which pronounced him "Healthy as a horse". All blood work good. He thinks he has felt a knot at the base of his neck for a while but the dr. was not concerned. any thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Neck pain, knot base of neck
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
The neck movements should have been elicited carefully. If they are showing normal range and the overlying skin is also normal showing no overt lesions e.g in herpes zoster then musculoskeletal cause should be addressed.
Treatment with Tylenol and tramadol is fine. However, naproxen should be added if renal function permits. A muscle relaxant like tizanidine or cyclobenzaprine should also be part of the regimen. Physiotherapy has proven benefit and should be sought which would lead to lesser reliance on drugs and quicker recovery. Local piroxicam or voltral gel can be used.
The knot you stated can be a lymph node. If its not significantly large or increasing in size then it can be observed with no intervention.
If however, its painless, enlarging/ persistent or associated with fever , weight loss and night sweats then an excisional biopsy should be considered.
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Let me know if you have any query
Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.
For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Neck pain, knot base of neck
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
The neck movements should have been elicited carefully. If they are showing normal range and the overlying skin is also normal showing no overt lesions e.g in herpes zoster then musculoskeletal cause should be addressed.
Treatment with Tylenol and tramadol is fine. However, naproxen should be added if renal function permits. A muscle relaxant like tizanidine or cyclobenzaprine should also be part of the regimen. Physiotherapy has proven benefit and should be sought which would lead to lesser reliance on drugs and quicker recovery. Local piroxicam or voltral gel can be used.
The knot you stated can be a lymph node. If its not significantly large or increasing in size then it can be observed with no intervention.
If however, its painless, enlarging/ persistent or associated with fever , weight loss and night sweats then an excisional biopsy should be considered.
Wishing you best of health
Thanks
Let me know if you have any query
Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.
For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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