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Suggest Treatment For Body Ache On The Right Hand And Fingers
Question: A couple of years ago pain started in the middle of my back to the right of my spine. It traveled to my sh ou lder, down my arm to my elbow and then to the right and little finger of my hand. Now pain and j numbness are concentrated in my the right side and fingers of my right hand. What treatment is possible. My email address is YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
Options listed below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from your description of pain starting in the spine and sensory changes irradiating to the upper limb it would seem that the most likely cause is chronic degenerative changes of the spine with bulging discs and bony spurs leading to nerve root compression, with sensory changes along the territory covered by that nerve. Given the mention of the little finger the C8 nerve would be most likely. A MRI would provide more specific info on that regard.
Regarding treatment first line would be over the counter pain killers and physical therapy. Physical therapy is very important in order to increase spinal muscle strength so that they can better support the spine. If over the counter painkillers are not enough Neurontin is a valid addition, alternatives would be Pregabalin or Duloxetine, also first line medication for neuropathic pain.
If those have already been tried and not enough then local shots with corticosteroids and analgesics may be attempted.
Surgery is usually considered as a last resort but I assume that the doctor thought that given your age the risk of surgical complications, not only of the procedure itself but of general anesthesia as well, was too high.
As for acupuncture, it belongs to alternative medicine, not western one. As a result there are not enough studies regarding its use. There are individual patients who report benefit, but that is not enough to recommend it, large scale studies are needed. What can be said though is that it is safe, so when all else has failed there is no harm in trying.
Among other alternatives there would be chiropractics and spinal traction, but I wouldn't advise them, they aren't safe at your age.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Options listed below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from your description of pain starting in the spine and sensory changes irradiating to the upper limb it would seem that the most likely cause is chronic degenerative changes of the spine with bulging discs and bony spurs leading to nerve root compression, with sensory changes along the territory covered by that nerve. Given the mention of the little finger the C8 nerve would be most likely. A MRI would provide more specific info on that regard.
Regarding treatment first line would be over the counter pain killers and physical therapy. Physical therapy is very important in order to increase spinal muscle strength so that they can better support the spine. If over the counter painkillers are not enough Neurontin is a valid addition, alternatives would be Pregabalin or Duloxetine, also first line medication for neuropathic pain.
If those have already been tried and not enough then local shots with corticosteroids and analgesics may be attempted.
Surgery is usually considered as a last resort but I assume that the doctor thought that given your age the risk of surgical complications, not only of the procedure itself but of general anesthesia as well, was too high.
As for acupuncture, it belongs to alternative medicine, not western one. As a result there are not enough studies regarding its use. There are individual patients who report benefit, but that is not enough to recommend it, large scale studies are needed. What can be said though is that it is safe, so when all else has failed there is no harm in trying.
Among other alternatives there would be chiropractics and spinal traction, but I wouldn't advise them, they aren't safe at your age.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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