Can DISH Cause Back Pain And Numbness In Hands?

Posted on Sat, 26 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 26 Sep 2015 Answered on

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a condition called DISH in my thoraic spine. My primary doctor has dismissed this as not likely to cause a problem. I have a pinched nerve in my upper left back that also affects my shoulder and upper arm. I have numbness on the back of my left hand and the left hand little finger and adjacent finger. The DISH area is beginning to become painful. I also have a buldging disc at L4 that causes the front of the left thigh to be numb. I am also diabetic and have diabetic neuropathy. Could the DISH or buldging disc be causing the pinched nerve that is causing my upper left back pain and numbness in my left hand? I also have essential tremors that are worse in my left arm and left hand. Beyond the first question above, do you have any recommendations.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
DISH can cause stiffness in back

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I can assure you that DISH is not a cause of nerve compression though it can cause stiffness. In Diabetic patient slightest of nerve compression causes serious pain because nerves are already damaged.
So I would suggest you to follow these steps.
1.Good control of blood sugar and avoid smoking and Alcohol
2.Take Methylcobal and gabapentin daily.
3.Check your B 12 level some time you might need vitamin B 12 injections.
4.Tablet Medrol can be given for limited time if there is severe pain.
5.I would also suggest you to get EMG/NCV test to make sure that there is no compression at wrist level.
I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

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