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What Causes Stabbing Pain In The Neck, Difficulty Swallowing And Tingling In The Arms?

Posted on Tue, 25 Apr 2023

Question: I have a swollen left side of neck with stabbing pain every once in awhile. I’ve had this pain on n off for 4 days now and it’s getting worse. Also sometimes hard to swallow and I become winded easily. Sometimes I have tingling down both arms and my hands feel like they are asleep, this has also increased. Feel worn out, no energy. Just writing this my hands are asleep (numb). What could this be?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Lump in the neck

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Is the lump growing in size?
Is the lump moving? Is it hard or firm or soft?
How long did you notice it?

There are quite a few possibilities that I could think of:

1) Cervical rib. where there is an extra rib arising out of the last vertebra in the neck.

This causes some of the typical symptoms of numbness and swelling that you describe. A simple Xray of the cervical spine would detect it.

2) A lymph node pressing on the cervical plexus, a group of nerves emerging out of the vertebrae.

3) Acromioclavicular joint fracture, in case you had some injury prior and this, was left unattended.

So please see a surgeon to understand the exact nature of the pain.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Suma Parinam, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (18 minutes later)

It’s swollen from below my ear to my collar bone, like in a straight line, not a ball.

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (0 minute later)

Brief Answer:

Sternomastoid muscle

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

It is not clear if there is a swelling of the sternomastoid muscle which runs between the structures you mentioned. I suggest a good examination to proceed further.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Suma Parinam, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (15 minutes later)

Thank you. Last question for ya Dr. What would cause this sternomastoid muscle to swell?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Causes

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Infection or injury to muscle or any neighboring parts or underlying lymph node. Cervical disc herniation cause the nerve to irritate is also a reason. These could be probable causes.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Suma Parinam, General & Family Physician

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar