A Pain In The Neck
A few months ago I noticed a tearing pain that started on the left side of my neck, traveled past my shoulder blade, and kept going all the way down to the tip of my index finger.
I had been doing a lot of work around the house at the time, painting the garage and using the chain saw to get some rather big tree limbs off of the roof of the house, so I didn’t think much of it. Getting old, you know.
And, like I figured it would, the pain faded. But what alarmed me was the way that it turned into a pins-and-needles sensation after awhile. I wouldn’t wake up with the arm so stiff that I couldn’t move it for about half an hour, but it would feel as if I had been laying on it so the blood no longer flowed.
The doctor asked me a few questions. (Does the sensation increase if I tilt my head back? Does it fade if I put my arm up so the wrist rests on top of my head?) Seems the most likely explanation is that a bone spur has grown so it jabs into the delicate nerve fiber that emerges from one of my vertebrae.
Nothing to get excited about. More than 40% of the population will experience bone spurs of some kind or another. In my case, I probably jigged something out of true by clambering around on the ladder, or throwing those logs off the roof. (”Look out, dogs!” CRASH!) The fact that it no longer hurts is a good sign, and I should keep from straining it for a few more months to see if it improves further.
Hot damn, a medical excuse to be lazy! Just what the doctor ordered!
But, I stupidly asked, what could be done if it doesn’t get any better? Besides just living with it, that is.
There are surgeries that could be performed in extreme cases. Shave the little nub of bone off.
Oh, no problem! I could go home to get my Dremel motor tool, she could give me a local for the incision, and I’d be recuperating in front of the computer before the Sun dipped below the horizon. Nothing like free Internet pr0n to flog some flagging spirits!
My doctor actually thought I was joking! Something about how the operation would be extremely delicate, with the slightest misstep causing paralysis or permanent crippling pain. No place for a crude workshop power tool.
“But, Doc!” I said. “Do you know how many attachments are available for the Dremel?”
I figure the Diamond Tip Engraver Point is just the thing to scrape that bad boy off of my spine because it is itsy-bitsy.
But then the doctor pointed out how much any surgery would cost, and she said my insurance wouldn’t cover it because it was hardly life threatening.
Oh, hey, you know what? When I was six years old, I used to lay on my hand deliberately to feel make it go to sleep. I thought the pins-and-needles sensation was hella cool.
Now all I have to do is tip my head back like this….
…and I get that same feeling in my arm again! Except that I don’t have to lay down, or wait until the blood gets choked off. And it is all for free!
I bet you guys are sooo jealous!
December 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am
5 years ago I had spinal surgery on my L4-L5 vertabrae for a couple of different reasons including the ability to allow me to deploy with the military wearing 40 some pounds of body armor on my upper body. Back and spinal surgery have come a long way. Unless you are in poor health I think exploring surgery would be a good option if you continue to have issues. I highly recommend Neurological Associates in Upper Arlington and Dr Ward Buster in particular. He was a great surgeon and followed up by phone several times after my normal covered visits stopped.
And yes, dremmel tools rock…
December 6th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I would advocate seeing a chiropractor or osteopath first to see if it may not be the spine and other joints being out of alignment.A simpler and less exspensive (and less invasive) measure than surgery!
December 6th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
+1 to what Gaio said. Chiropractors can do some interesting things for back problems.
December 6th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Gotta agree with Pete. Went through surgery at L3-L4 for ruptured disc and then at L4-L5 for a cyst that was pinching the nerves. Surgery helped with those two problems. I’ve also got stenosis of the spine (narrow nerve channels) so any weird movement can pinch a nerve. (Did the chiropractic thing before the first surgery. When it didn’t get rid of the pain after three months, I knew it was time to see a spinal specialist.)
“Hot damn, a medical excuse to be lazy! Just what the doctor ordered!”
I too got one of those doctor’s notes. My first reaction when my back/sciatic act up is to lay down for a couple of days–Doctor’s orders!
Meanwhile, I hope your pain subsides soon and surgery can be avoided.
December 6th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Forget the Dremel — let’s here more about that free Internet Pr0n …
Seriously - they’ve come a long way. In 1976 my wife had a life-threatening condition requiring a surgical fusion of her cervical spine. She spent 2 1/2 months in the hospital following surgery (early on complete with a halo rig to hold her head steady), then spent another 6 months with her parents recuperating while I worked full-time.
Fast forward 30+ years - a woman at the office recently had very nearly the same operation. She’ll be out 6 weeks, max.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I was out for about 7 weeks myself. I should have noted that I did seek other non-invasive relief without much sucess. Chiopractors may be able to help if there is no actual physical damage to the bone structure, but if there is no amount of manipulation is going to help. I also have the narrowing of the nerve channels, a lamidectomy cleared that right up (surgical widening of the openings). Other than the post op and recovery pain, virtual all of the other pain I experienced disappeard (pain, numbness, tingling, pins and needles, burning, cold….all of it)
December 8th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Sir, read your post. Believe it or don’t but I’ve been experiencing
almost identical symptoms for months with no relief. Could you
tell me if you are using any med’s or home treatment (icy-hot, etc.).
I have no insurance and am real tired of the pain and numbness.
Thank You for any info or help you can give me. eric
December 8th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I just use ibuprofen.
December 10th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Probably C6-C7. I get that and it comes and goes. At its worst, it sent me to an orthopaedist that said physical therapy or operate. I chose the former and perform the prescribed exercises faithfully. Not a perfect cure, but makes the discomfort manageable and keeps the pain from radiating down my arm………….I really hate that….