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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Numbness And Tingling In Side. Had Back Fracture. Is This Serious?

3 years ago i fractured a lower vertebre in my back. Roughly 3-4 months ago i started having numbness and tingling on my left side. In the last two months it has gotten worse. Now a single day doesn t go by with out severe tingling in right side. As I type this my right arm is almost completley numb. I have consulted my primary care doctor and he just prescribes me pain meds and that s it. What I am asking is, is this serious or should I just ignore it and deal with like I have been
Mon, 19 Nov 2012
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello Dear and thanks for the query
You have to find out the cause of the tingling and numbness. In my opinion you should get your MRI scan of spine done to rule out any nerve compress at the root of the nerve that is causing the problem. As you have a history of fracture 3 years ago you have more possibility of nerve compression than the normal person. But it doesn't means you have, we have to check it by MRI scan.
The line of treatment depends on the clinical examination and report of scan. With both the findings we have to select whether medication with exercise and physiotherapy is needed or we have to go for a surgery. Your treating doctor or spine surgeon can help you better.
Hope I have answered your query.
Best Wishes
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Numbness And Tingling In Side. Had Back Fracture. Is This Serious?

Hello Dear and thanks for the query You have to find out the cause of the tingling and numbness. In my opinion you should get your MRI scan of spine done to rule out any nerve compress at the root of the nerve that is causing the problem. As you have a history of fracture 3 years ago you have more possibility of nerve compression than the normal person. But it doesn t means you have, we have to check it by MRI scan. The line of treatment depends on the clinical examination and report of scan. With both the findings we have to select whether medication with exercise and physiotherapy is needed or we have to go for a surgery. Your treating doctor or spine surgeon can help you better. Hope I have answered your query. Best Wishes