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Suggest Treatment For Nerve Pain And Numbness In Shoulders And Arms
Question: I suffered a severe cervical strain in 1989, and since then I have a burning and numbness in my left shoulder and I've noticed that progressively I'm having nerve pain and numbness in both shoulders and arms, and now grip weakness in my right hand. Is it probable 50% or greater that the nerve pain, numbness, and grip weakness is caused by the prior cervical strain? I am filing for VA disability, and they are claiming that the nerve pain and numbness isn't related to the cervical strain. That is DDD and DJD, but isn't is probable 50% or greater that the cervical strain caused the onset of DDD and DJD?
Brief Answer:
It is possible that cervical strain cause DDD and DJD
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I have been through your question and understand your concern.
DDD is a not an uncommon condition in your age, and the symptoms you are describing are probably related to the DDD and DJD. This would be better confirmed by an cervical MRI and electromyogram and nerve conduction studies which I presume you have already done.
While DDD may have several causes, with the most accepted cause being a certain susceptibility of certain individuals to develop such eventuality, other factors are included such as trauma or microtrauma during lifetime.
Cervical strain is a major event which can lead to tear or rupture of the annulus (the outer layer of the disc) causing herniated disc. Thus, the space between the vertebras gets smaller and osteophytes (bone spurs) formation begin. All this process is within DDD and the subsequent DJD which is a compensation of the forces to the vertebral posterior columns (joints) since the disc is not optimal anymore to sustain physical stress.
So, yes, cervical strain can cause DDD and DJD. But, no one can tell for sure to what degree this influences on the whole process. If you have a CT scan or an MRI of those times showing a herniated disc, that would be a sufficient evidence to show that being the leading cause producing on long term DDD and DJD.
Hope this helps, I wish you good health.
It is possible that cervical strain cause DDD and DJD
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I have been through your question and understand your concern.
DDD is a not an uncommon condition in your age, and the symptoms you are describing are probably related to the DDD and DJD. This would be better confirmed by an cervical MRI and electromyogram and nerve conduction studies which I presume you have already done.
While DDD may have several causes, with the most accepted cause being a certain susceptibility of certain individuals to develop such eventuality, other factors are included such as trauma or microtrauma during lifetime.
Cervical strain is a major event which can lead to tear or rupture of the annulus (the outer layer of the disc) causing herniated disc. Thus, the space between the vertebras gets smaller and osteophytes (bone spurs) formation begin. All this process is within DDD and the subsequent DJD which is a compensation of the forces to the vertebral posterior columns (joints) since the disc is not optimal anymore to sustain physical stress.
So, yes, cervical strain can cause DDD and DJD. But, no one can tell for sure to what degree this influences on the whole process. If you have a CT scan or an MRI of those times showing a herniated disc, that would be a sufficient evidence to show that being the leading cause producing on long term DDD and DJD.
Hope this helps, I wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your response. Unfortunately at the time I had my severe cervical strain the Dr. examining me only felt my neck, noted it was swollen and tender, with limited movement, not one time was there an X-Ray, or MRI done. I was given pain meds and told to go back to work. My job was an Ordenanceman lifting heavy munitions, several hundred pounds. Ever since then I have had trouble with my neck any time I lifted anything above my head, or strained to pull a heavy object. And over the years the pain and numbness has spread to my shoulders and arms.
The VA hasn't done an MRI, but said that my Cervical strain is not related to my bilateral shoulder numbness and pain, but gave no other reason for it. What I need to counter that statement is an independent medical opinion (IMO) that can state that without any X-Ray or MRI at the time of the Cervical strain, that it is "At least as likely as not" that the early onset of DDD and DJD of the neck is caused by the cervical strain.
Is there any way you can assert that statement? I am not asking for a fabrication, only a true statement of fact that the cervical strain is "at least as likely as not" the cause of my DDD and DJD.
Thank you for your time. XXXXXXX XXXXXX
The VA hasn't done an MRI, but said that my Cervical strain is not related to my bilateral shoulder numbness and pain, but gave no other reason for it. What I need to counter that statement is an independent medical opinion (IMO) that can state that without any X-Ray or MRI at the time of the Cervical strain, that it is "At least as likely as not" that the early onset of DDD and DJD of the neck is caused by the cervical strain.
Is there any way you can assert that statement? I am not asking for a fabrication, only a true statement of fact that the cervical strain is "at least as likely as not" the cause of my DDD and DJD.
Thank you for your time. XXXXXXX XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
See detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I do not count as an independent medical opinion since I work in the European Community. But, I think I can give some help on this.
In medical field you should have evidence to support any statement, even in cases like yours. I mean if some doctor will tell you that DDD is not related to cervical strain he should have references to support this statement. The references in medicine are in books or in medical journals where before getting published there are overqualified editors (which are doctors as well) which think the article is reliable and can be published.
In your case there are some reports which support your statement, that cervical strain (which is called whiplash in medical terms) can lead to DDD (Modic changes are MRI features in DDD). Here is the link http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/0000
This article will help with any doctor you should discuss the matter.
Hope this helps XXXXXXX Best wishes
See detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I do not count as an independent medical opinion since I work in the European Community. But, I think I can give some help on this.
In medical field you should have evidence to support any statement, even in cases like yours. I mean if some doctor will tell you that DDD is not related to cervical strain he should have references to support this statement. The references in medicine are in books or in medical journals where before getting published there are overqualified editors (which are doctors as well) which think the article is reliable and can be published.
In your case there are some reports which support your statement, that cervical strain (which is called whiplash in medical terms) can lead to DDD (Modic changes are MRI features in DDD). Here is the link http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/0000
This article will help with any doctor you should discuss the matter.
Hope this helps XXXXXXX Best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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