Suggest Treatment For Pain In Left Wrist And Shoulder

Posted on Mon, 16 Mar 2015

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

Mon, 16 Mar 2015 Answered on

Mon, 6 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have pain in my left wrist, along the side where the pinky finger is, this pain feels to come from my left shoulder down to my elbow, into my wrist. This pain makes holding a pen difficult or caring a dinner plate and lifting. Since I am a waitress this makes my job difficult. Is this an effect of something in my shoulder that isn't right or the start of something else ? Can you give me some information I can take to my own physican, since it is sunday he's not available.

Thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Entrapment of nerve in cervical spine.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.

What you experience is radiculopathy. It is basically entrapment of nerve root in cervical spine.
Xray of cervical spine or MRI will be helpful to reach the diagnosis.

For this you have to do regular physiotherapy exercises under guidance of your physiotherapist. Avoid lifting weight over your shoulder and neck. Avoid using thick pillow under neck. You can take anti inflammatory XXXXXXX like ibuprofen to reduce pain. Doing hot fomentation and applying muscle relaxant gel will be helpful.

Warm regards.

Take care.

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