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How to rule out neck pain and numbness?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

A physiotherapist did some manipulation with my neck and since then when I fall asleep at night, my arms, hands, upper back (area just below the neck) and brain feels weird as if blood supply is cut. This happens several times during the night while I am sleeping and these symptoms go away when I sit for 5-10 minutes. Because of this, I am unable to sleep properly. I want to get Doppler ultrasound of arteries and veins. Please suggest which Doppler ultrasound I should get to rule out the possibility of any obstruction in arteries or veins caused by several jerks, trauma to my neck and rest of the spine that might be causing problem with blood circulation. My whole spine MRI screening shows disc protrusion at L4/5 and L5/S1. Cervical area does not show any significant change. Please help.

Answered by Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena is an Orthopedic surgeon, Traumatologist, and Spine Surgeon who examines patients to diagnose bone, joint, ligament, or other musculoskeletal problems, including diseases or injuries and is also trained to treat brain and spine conditions. He completed his MBBS from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in 2005. He studied DNB Orthopedics at the National Board of Examinations in 2010. He provides support and advice to patients receiving long-term care, and he researches defects, diseases, and disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system. He is currently practicing in Uttar Pradesh with 17 years of clinical experience.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You mentioned pain and numbness in your upper limbs after manipulation was done by a physical therapist. You have also mentioned both upper limb involvement which is actually a surprise because normal spinal manipulations should not actually lead to this especially if your cervical spine MRI is fine. To actually find out a cause for both your upper limb symptoms, a detailed neurological examination of both your upper limbs including assessment of motor power, sensory examination and evaluation of deep tendon reflexes, nerve conduction studies and CT angiogram of carotid and vertebral vessels can be done. There is an entity called thoracic outlet syndrome which can actually lead to upper limb symptoms, but bilateral involvement is not very common. Can you kindly send me the above-mentioned details along with the investigations done by you till now? I can see and advise you accordingly. Also, send me your blood investigations done recently as well.

Thank you.

Treatment plan

Will be based upon the investigation and clinical details as provided.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At March 1, 2016
Reviewed At July 25, 2023

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena is an Orthopedic surgeon, Traumatologist, and Spine Surgeon who examines patients to diagnose bone, joint, ligament, or other musculoskeletal problems, including diseases or injuries and is also trained to treat brain and spine conditions. He completed his MBBS from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in 2005. He studied DNB Orthopedics at the National Board of Examinations in 2010. He provides support and advice to patients receiving long-term care, and he researches defects, diseases, and disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system. He is currently practicing in Uttar Pradesh with 17 years of clinical experience.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Akshay Kumar Saxena is an Orthopedic surgeon, Traumatologist, and Spine Surgeon who examines patients to diagnose bone, joint, ligament, or other musculoskeletal problems, including diseases or injuries and is also trained to treat brain and spine conditions. He completed his MBBS from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University in 2005. He studied DNB Orthopedics at the National Board of Examinations in 2010. He provides support and advice to patients receiving long-term care, and he researches defects, diseases, and disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system. He is currently practicing in Uttar Pradesh with 17 years of clinical experience.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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