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What Causes Pain In The Left Arm?
Question: My 85 year old mother says that she has been experiencing left arm pain for several weeks. When she first wakes up, it's so bad that she can't use it to assist herself to get up & out of bed. It gets better after using it some. It worsens after a period of inactivity. She's usually very engaged in home activities, cooking, cleaning, etc. Some additional background: She had spurs in the other shoulder a few years ago; she has 2 disintegrated vertebrae in the back of her neck.
The pain in her left arm & now the left hand are much worse than she experienced with the other arm, when spurs were the issue. No history of heart disease in her family.
The pain in her left arm & now the left hand are much worse than she experienced with the other arm, when spurs were the issue. No history of heart disease in her family.
Brief Answer:
Cervical Radiculopathy
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
An EKG should be done to rule out a cardiac cause even with no family history.
Based on your description, cervical radiculopathy is the most likely cause in which the nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae is compressed upon leading to pain and in severe cases loss of sensations in the distribution of the nerve.
Nerve conduction studies can be done and acute phase treatment should be initiated with cervical collar immobilization, NSAIDs, Pregabalin, physiotherapy and muscle relaxants.
In severe cases, oral/ injectable corticosteroids and/or epidural steroids can be advised to minimize the pain associated with the radiculopathy. Surgery is reserved for decompression where its deemed necessary to relieve compression.
These are the options which can be tailored according to the clinical assessment and will of the patient to undergo the procedure.
Comorbid conditions like osteoporosis should also be addressed. DEXA scan, vitamin D, calcium levels should be obtained in consult with your doctor.
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
Cervical Radiculopathy
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
An EKG should be done to rule out a cardiac cause even with no family history.
Based on your description, cervical radiculopathy is the most likely cause in which the nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae is compressed upon leading to pain and in severe cases loss of sensations in the distribution of the nerve.
Nerve conduction studies can be done and acute phase treatment should be initiated with cervical collar immobilization, NSAIDs, Pregabalin, physiotherapy and muscle relaxants.
In severe cases, oral/ injectable corticosteroids and/or epidural steroids can be advised to minimize the pain associated with the radiculopathy. Surgery is reserved for decompression where its deemed necessary to relieve compression.
These are the options which can be tailored according to the clinical assessment and will of the patient to undergo the procedure.
Comorbid conditions like osteoporosis should also be addressed. DEXA scan, vitamin D, calcium levels should be obtained in consult with your doctor.
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: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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