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What Causes Severe Pain In The Arm And Elbow?
Question: I am experiencing aching in my left arm and elbow off and on since October. The past few days ive had cramping and pain in my left hand when gripping or holding things. Ive also had hypersensitive reflexes for the past few weeks. The reflexes dont seem be an issue daily, but every few days. What can be causing this? Could this be ALS? Im taking 60 mg of cymbalta. I started this medicine in November.
Brief Answer:
Upper motor neuron lesion / cervical slipped disc
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear XXXX,
Thank you for posting the question at this platform.
I have gone through your medical history in detail and understand your concern.
From the symptoms that you have stated,it is very less likely that this is an ALS.
The symptoms are more consistent with a upper motor neuron lesion in the brain tissue or a result of nerve compression in the neck due to a slipped disc.
Hypersensitive reflxes with pain and cramping in hands goes more in favour of a upper motor neuron lesion.Motor neuron disease needs to be ruled out.
These symptoms are uncommon at your age and needs to be investigated further.
A CT brain,Nerve conduction velocities and Electromyography of the left upper limb should be done.
Consult a neurologist about this.
If,neurological investigations are normal,then chances of a slipped cervical disc are more and a MRI of cervical spine should be done to confirm this.
I hope the answer was useful.
Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.
Thank you.
Kind regards.
Upper motor neuron lesion / cervical slipped disc
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear XXXX,
Thank you for posting the question at this platform.
I have gone through your medical history in detail and understand your concern.
From the symptoms that you have stated,it is very less likely that this is an ALS.
The symptoms are more consistent with a upper motor neuron lesion in the brain tissue or a result of nerve compression in the neck due to a slipped disc.
Hypersensitive reflxes with pain and cramping in hands goes more in favour of a upper motor neuron lesion.Motor neuron disease needs to be ruled out.
These symptoms are uncommon at your age and needs to be investigated further.
A CT brain,Nerve conduction velocities and Electromyography of the left upper limb should be done.
Consult a neurologist about this.
If,neurological investigations are normal,then chances of a slipped cervical disc are more and a MRI of cervical spine should be done to confirm this.
I hope the answer was useful.
Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.
Thank you.
Kind regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
What causes upper motor neuron lesions?
Brief Answer:
Query answered
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Upper motor neuron lesion can be idiopathic (exact etiology and cause not known) or it may be caused as a consequence of a past viral infection.
This needs to be evaluated in detail.
Feel free to ask in case of any further queries.
Thanks
Query answered
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Upper motor neuron lesion can be idiopathic (exact etiology and cause not known) or it may be caused as a consequence of a past viral infection.
This needs to be evaluated in detail.
Feel free to ask in case of any further queries.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Is it life threatening? Is there treatment?
Brief Answer:
Not life threatening
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Its definitely not life threatening and ,yes,there is a treatment.
Don't worry.
Thanks.
Not life threatening
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Its definitely not life threatening and ,yes,there is a treatment.
Don't worry.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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