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Suggest Treatment For Neck Pain, Tingling And Numbness In Hands
Question: I have neck pain...i have been told eventually will have to have a neck operation. The last 2 months have had tingling and numbness in hands. Today had an EMG test and was told i have carpal tunnal in both hands. Shocked...my neck hurts.....my hands (besides) tingling, have not bothered me. How do i treat this and what kind of Doctor for best diagnosis? Female 56 years old
Brief Answer:
Opinion of a neurosurgeon needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
This is compatible with carpal tunnel syndrome is you describe. However, specific tests might need to be done at the level of the neck again to ascertain the extent of any potential damage, and to guide treatment in case surgical options might be required in the future.
The treatment and follow up generally starts with the neurologist. Drugs are generally prescribed and some injected around the damaged regions (most of the time steroids). Your doctor might need to observe for some time. It is only when symptoms persist, become more frequent or get worse that surgery becomes an inevitable option. In this case, you might need to see a neurosurgeon.
If this has been going on for some time and is really becoming invalidation for you, I strongly suggest you book an appointment with a neurosurgeon for a proper review. CT scans of the neck and Magnetic Rasonance Imaging (MRI) might be useful to exclude any concomitant destructive process or nerve compression at the neck region. It is important to note that the nerves supplying the hands originate in the neck, and neck disease could be felt at the level of the hands in form of pain, tingling , weakness or loss in muscle size. Carpel tunnel syndrome and neck disease could coexist.
I suggest you consult a neurosurgeon.
Thanks and kind regards as I wish you the best of health.
Dr Bain
Opinion of a neurosurgeon needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
This is compatible with carpal tunnel syndrome is you describe. However, specific tests might need to be done at the level of the neck again to ascertain the extent of any potential damage, and to guide treatment in case surgical options might be required in the future.
The treatment and follow up generally starts with the neurologist. Drugs are generally prescribed and some injected around the damaged regions (most of the time steroids). Your doctor might need to observe for some time. It is only when symptoms persist, become more frequent or get worse that surgery becomes an inevitable option. In this case, you might need to see a neurosurgeon.
If this has been going on for some time and is really becoming invalidation for you, I strongly suggest you book an appointment with a neurosurgeon for a proper review. CT scans of the neck and Magnetic Rasonance Imaging (MRI) might be useful to exclude any concomitant destructive process or nerve compression at the neck region. It is important to note that the nerves supplying the hands originate in the neck, and neck disease could be felt at the level of the hands in form of pain, tingling , weakness or loss in muscle size. Carpel tunnel syndrome and neck disease could coexist.
I suggest you consult a neurosurgeon.
Thanks and kind regards as I wish you the best of health.
Dr Bain
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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