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Feeling Sharp Electrical Type Pain In Both Arms, Neck Posterolaterally On The Right Side.
hello ive been feeling a sharp sharp pain like an electrical type pain in both my arms and on my neck posterolaterally on the right side. It was only once every other day for the past week and was maybe once or twice before. Now it is constant in my left arm its not unbearable but it literally feels like electricity. It is quite annoying and i fear it will get worse. I am 22 years old today, I am a smoker, about half a pack to a pack a day for the past 3 years socially before then. I exercise about 3 times a week moderately for about an hour each day occaisionally it would be a strenuous exercise. I am not on any medication, nor do i have any allergies do i know of
Wed, 30 Oct 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Your description of symptoms suggests that you have cervical disc disease with radiculopathy (a pinched nerve in the cervical spine).
The initial management of this condition is always conservative by following means -
Soft Collar: Soft collar allow the muscles of the neck to rest and limit neck motion. This can help decrease pinching of nerve roots with movement. Soft collars should only be worn for short periods of time, because long-term wear can decrease the strength of neck muscles.
Medicines: Analgesic are needed in the acute phase. Muscle relaxants are essential for relieving muscle spasms once the acute pain subsides. Neurotropic vitamins like METHYLCOBALAMINE (activated Vit B12) or PREGABALIN will help in alleviating the neuropathic pain.
Cervical traction: may enlarge the disc space, permitting the prolapse to subside. Intermittent cervical traction for not more than 30 minutes at a time.
Physiotherapy: Once the acute phase of pain has subsided, Isometric strengthening exercises of the paravertebral muscles are started. Improving neck strength and flexibility with simple exercises may lessen discomfort and pain. Moist heat can be useful
Epidural steroids: are useful for patients with severe radicular pains in the limbs. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory preparation and so its injections in the "epidural space" can decrease swelling as well as pain.
If your symptoms are not resolving with the above measures, you need an MRI scan of cervical spine to know the possible pathology.
Also, this is just to let you know that Smoking will have a detrimental effect on the intervertebral discs leading to early degeneration, so its better to quit smoking.
Consult an orthopedic surgeon for further evaluation and treatment.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
Your description of symptoms suggests that you have cervical disc disease with radiculopathy (a pinched nerve in the cervical spine).
The initial management of this condition is always conservative by following means -
Soft Collar: Soft collar allow the muscles of the neck to rest and limit neck motion. This can help decrease pinching of nerve roots with movement. Soft collars should only be worn for short periods of time, because long-term wear can decrease the strength of neck muscles.
Medicines: Analgesic are needed in the acute phase. Muscle relaxants are essential for relieving muscle spasms once the acute pain subsides. Neurotropic vitamins like METHYLCOBALAMINE (activated Vit B12) or PREGABALIN will help in alleviating the neuropathic pain.
Cervical traction: may enlarge the disc space, permitting the prolapse to subside. Intermittent cervical traction for not more than 30 minutes at a time.
Physiotherapy: Once the acute phase of pain has subsided, Isometric strengthening exercises of the paravertebral muscles are started. Improving neck strength and flexibility with simple exercises may lessen discomfort and pain. Moist heat can be useful
Epidural steroids: are useful for patients with severe radicular pains in the limbs. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory preparation and so its injections in the "epidural space" can decrease swelling as well as pain.
If your symptoms are not resolving with the above measures, you need an MRI scan of cervical spine to know the possible pathology.
Also, this is just to let you know that Smoking will have a detrimental effect on the intervertebral discs leading to early degeneration, so its better to quit smoking.
Consult an orthopedic surgeon for further evaluation and treatment.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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