Pinched Nerve

Sp00ks

Sp00ks

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I need some advice. I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder. It is causing my pointer (trigger) finger and index to go partially numb. I think my forearm near my elbow has some numb as well.

My shoulder feels fine now, It has improved but the fingers are still numb. I have full mobility but if I stretch just the right way I feel the pressure all the way down my arm. I probably couldn't hold a phone on my shoulder/ear on that side.

Do I wait it out or suck it up and go to the doctor? I just know it will turn into MRI's, xray's etc. $$$$

I just loaded some .22 mags and what a PITA with numb fingers. Thoughts?
 
Have you thought of a chiropractor? They are pretty good a helping some things. They have helped my back in the past.

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^^^^ what he said.

They can take some xrays, and move some things around first, before going to a guy who does it with a knife.
 
Just got back from seeing mine about an hour ago.
 
Did it come on gradually or did you have trauma or lift something heavy? Some problems like that are from arm alone some from shoulder or cervical spine problems. See neurologist (not neurosurgeon) for initial assessment go from there.
Almost sounds like c5-6 or maybe rotator cuff injury.
If its getting better continue with light exercise of arm.
Never met a chiropractor I would recommend.
 
I had something like this, maybe C-8 or so? Felt like someone was sticking a needle into my "funny bone" aka ulnar nerve. I was young enough at the time to try toughing it out for a few days. I'm a dumb-a$$. Serious anti-inflammatories helped, but don't recall off-hand what was prescribed -- 20+ years ago.
 
Neck exercises. On the light side, push against your hand or a pillow. More serious, up to neck bridges. Shoulder exercises too.

Now to channel grandma. Sit up straight. If your car seats put your neck forward, take the lean out of them so you are sitting up. Try not to spend to much time looking down at a phone or computer. Keep your head up when you are walking around. Stop hunching.

Actually, all the above comes from my physical therapist. I have a ruptured vertebra and 2 bulging in my neck. Covered every direction but forward. I did PT and try to keep up with exercises and all the stuff above. No surgery yet.

On the diet side Krill oil and intermittent fasting have helped too.
 
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Dan said:
Did it come on gradually or did you have trauma or lift something heavy? Some problems like that are from arm alone some from shoulder or cervical spine problems. See neurologist (not neurosurgeon) for initial assessment go from there.
Almost sounds like c5-6 or maybe rotator cuff injury.
If its getting better continue with light exercise of arm.
Never met a chiropractor I would recommend.
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I can't say it was an injury from a specific incident. One afternoon my right shoulder blade was aching like a MF, then the back of my arm and into my hand and fingers.

I have had neck and upper spine pain. I work a desk job, ride motorcycles and cars so I'm in the typical arms out scenario 99% of the time.
 
I had this once, after working under the car at an awkward angle and pulling too hard trying to loosen a bolt. It took several months to resolve. By all means, see somebody. It probably won't get better by itself.
my.clevelandclinic.org

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Shoulder impingement syndrome happens when the top outer edge of your shoulder blade rubs against your rotator cuff beneath it. This rubbing causes pain and irritation.
my.clevelandclinic.org my.clevelandclinic.org
 
Sp00ks said:
It's been about 5 days. Wakes me up at night. chiropractor scares me a little but not opposed to it.
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I used to think they were hokey but glad I started going. I had shoulder pain and two fingers going numb. Went to my regular doctor, they loaded me up on pain killers and sent me to a therapist. No improvement so I went to the chiropractor. He fixed me up in a couple visits.
 
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I had a kink in my neck a few years ago that did something similar. I put off going to the Dr. for similar reasons.

When I couldn’t stand it anymore I went and she prescribed a steroid anti inflammatory. I’m thinking “yea great, a drug is exactly what I need.” I took as prescribed and the pain and tingling were gone in a couple of days.

Also as prescribed, I followed up with some minor physical therapy. I haven’t had a reoccurrence yet.

I’d go to the doc if I were in your shoes.
 
I had a pinched nerve and herniated disc in my neck, didn't know what it was at the time, which caused excruciating pain in my left arm and hand for months. My arm hurt so bad that I carried it with my right hand so that it did not move. Lasted long enough that my bicep and forearm muscles started to atrophy. Tried the chiropractor, then the doctor with all the meds, PT, 2 fluoroscope epidurals, and then finally the insurance company authorized an MRI which diagnosed the real issue. Ended up having surgery, laminectomy, where the doctor trimmed off the bulging disk and opened up the lamina to allow more room for the nerve. As soon as I woke up, I had immediate relief and no reoccurrence since 2011. Just had to take it easy for 3 months.

I felt so good when I woke up in recovery, I told the doctor that if he would give me a sign, I would go out on the side walk and advertise for him right then.
 
Hopefully you won’t need a doc but if you do I’d recommend Talley Lassiter with Duke in Knightdale. One of his specialties is shoulders. He knows his stuff.
 
Sp00ks said:
I need some advice. I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder. It is causing my pointer (trigger) finger and index to go partially numb. I think my forearm near my elbow has some numb as well.

My shoulder feels fine now, It has improved but the fingers are still numb. I have full mobility but if I stretch just the right way I feel the pressure all the way down my arm. I probably couldn't hold a phone on my shoulder/ear on that side.

Do I wait it out or suck it up and go to the doctor? I just know it will turn into MRI's, xray's etc. $$$$

I just loaded some .22 mags and what a PITA with numb fingers. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Mine started out this way and I ignored it. Kept reoccurring...kept ignoring it. Then one day...boom. the c5 c6 disc blew out.

Trust me...go get checked out. Its a quality of life issue.
Even if you want to do the chiropractor thing...an MRI tells the story. My chiropractor looked at my MRI and told me flat out I'd need the surgery.

Edit to add...once the disc blew out the damage has stayed. The surgery took away the immediate excruciating pain, but I still can barely feel my Trigger finger, middle finger, and thumb
 
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