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Suggest Treatment For Severe Shoulder And Neck Pain

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Posted on Sat, 17 Dec 2016
Question: I have been having shoulder pain and neck pain which seems to be getting worse daily. My arm is getting numb, my muscles are weak. I can barely lift anything without even more severe pain. The numbness is traveling down to my fingers now. And the side of my face seemed to just start tingling. Any ideas.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Shuba hariprasad (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
To rule out thoracic outlet syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.

Based on your symptoms and medical history, I would like to rule out thoracic outlet syndrome due to a cervical rib

Would you clarify a few things for me, please?
# how long have you had these symptoms? Were there any triggers that you noticed or can remember such as an illness or accident or lifting something heavy?

# did the symptoms increase gradually?
# which arm is affected? Any skin changes that you noticed?
# are you able to do your usual activities or do you drop things from the affected arm's hand?
# are your sugars under control? What are your latest values?
# any other medical issues or medications that you take?
# any family history of neurological disorders?
# what tests or procedures have you done so far? Can you send me the reports?
# do you do any kind of repetitive activity that uses you arm a lot?
#do you have a heavy upper body? Do the symptoms seem worse at night or when you lay down?
# does your arm feel cold?

I recommend :
-a neurologist consult
-a chest xray
- MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine
- blood tests (complete blood count, blood glucose panel, lipid profile, kidney and liver function tests)
-urine analysis
-avoid any activity that makes the symptoms worse.
-elevate your arm on a pillow at night to promote blood flow from your arm to the heart.
-avoid tight fitting clothes.
-an angiography to check for blocks in blood flow to your affected arm (if clinically indicated).
-an ENT as planned to check for neuropathy
-monitor posture, activities that worsen the pain/numbness

Based on this we can arrive at a proper diagnosis and initiate treatment.
Hope this helps
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Wish you good health
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Shuba hariprasad

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 1087 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Shoulder And Neck Pain

Brief Answer: To rule out thoracic outlet syndrome Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for your query. I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today. Based on your symptoms and medical history, I would like to rule out thoracic outlet syndrome due to a cervical rib Would you clarify a few things for me, please? # how long have you had these symptoms? Were there any triggers that you noticed or can remember such as an illness or accident or lifting something heavy? # did the symptoms increase gradually? # which arm is affected? Any skin changes that you noticed? # are you able to do your usual activities or do you drop things from the affected arm's hand? # are your sugars under control? What are your latest values? # any other medical issues or medications that you take? # any family history of neurological disorders? # what tests or procedures have you done so far? Can you send me the reports? # do you do any kind of repetitive activity that uses you arm a lot? #do you have a heavy upper body? Do the symptoms seem worse at night or when you lay down? # does your arm feel cold? I recommend : -a neurologist consult -a chest xray - MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine - blood tests (complete blood count, blood glucose panel, lipid profile, kidney and liver function tests) -urine analysis -avoid any activity that makes the symptoms worse. -elevate your arm on a pillow at night to promote blood flow from your arm to the heart. -avoid tight fitting clothes. -an angiography to check for blocks in blood flow to your affected arm (if clinically indicated). -an ENT as planned to check for neuropathy -monitor posture, activities that worsen the pain/numbness Based on this we can arrive at a proper diagnosis and initiate treatment. Hope this helps Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. Wish you good health Regards, Dr. Shuba Hariprasad