Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 5/23/2008

Question
Several days ago I started out with some tingling and a crazy itch inside my left arm that I just couldn't get to. The next morning my left arm was weak, pain in the elbow region, severe pain between shoulder blade and spine, and it hurt to take deep breaths. It also hurt to turn my head either way and back or too far down. Last year the Army diagnosed me with degenerative disk disease, a herniated disk and osteophytes, all in the C3-C6 areas. This area itches constantly and I can access a nerve by touch in this area. I get radiating and site pain issues from an L5-S1 DDD and herniated disk, but it hasn't bothered me in the last month. I go to the VA all of the time and all they do for me is fill me up with an assortment of narcotics and anti-inflammatories. The pain is so severe now, that codeine is ineffective. If this keeps up without real relief, what kind of long term damage am I looking at? I'm considering going to a civilian doctor now, to see if they can try something else.

Answer
Georgina,

Your symptoms are most likley resulting from nerve root compression, which may progress to loss of sensation and strength in the arm and hand, and possibly loss of function in the arm or hand on the affected side.

If you haven't had an MRI scan of the cervical spine, you need one to determine if you need to have neurosurgery on the offending disc herniation and possibly the bone spurs in your neck, or if you are a candidate for spinal injections (anti-inflammatories) and conservative care (chiropractic or physical therapy). I recommend consulting with a neurosurgeon as soon as possible.

Good luck.