8 replies to this topic

[TimRS]

I'm a T12 complete. My L1 was never re-aligned properly so it is trapping my spinal cord (I think this causes a lot of pain, as when I arch my back, the cord stretches instead of sliding smoothly). The thing is, I have been getting pins and needles in the little finger on my left hand, and when I went to see my GP, she was really helpful, but assured me that it is just tennis elbow, caused by an RSI because I'm writing a book (more on that one day...).

Now, here's the thing... I have a vague recollection from my rehab days of another patient saying thatpins and needles in the fingers is a danger danger situation, as this could be the development of a syrrinx (spinal cyst), and I know that due to the compression on my cord I'm at greater risk of one developing. Should I try and pressure my consiultant for an appointment, or stop being so paranoid?

Edited by TimRS, 27 August 2007 - 04:52 PM.

[Avocado Baby]

Hiya,

I dont know much about Syrinx I'm afraid but have also been having pins and needlesnumbness in my right hand and an ache all up my arm.

I went to see the physio on Thursday and he told me that my problem was is being caused by pressure being put on the cervical nerves due to the strain my neck takes from scoliosis and sitting down all day. Maybe yours has the same cause?

I was wondering if anyone had any way of preventing it but noone has answered this post yet

Can anyone help us?

[kewlcatkez]

Hi,

I do experience the sort of symptoms which you describe. However, my 'case' is complicated and not just owing to spinal damage itself. I have a genetic connective tissue disorder which means that I have multiple dislocations. The paralysis I have has been caused ( in part) by this and an unfortunate set of circumstances. Anyway, I also have fluctuating levels of numbness and paresthesia on top of the permanent paralysis/neuropathies and they are due to my discs moving in and out and hitting my spinal cord at multiple sites. According to my Specialists, sometimes this ( the fluctuating part) is short lived, other times its longer. This is probably not what is causing yours as this occurs easily in me, but I do know from my RN experience that many individuals do have the tingling symptoms in tennis elbow, cervical disc splipping, and a whole host of things.

Unfortunately, Syrinxs can also be another cause of such symptoms too.

At the end of the day, the only way to find out for sure is to seek the advice of your Spinal Unit/Neurologist or similar and ultimately, perhaps an MRI/CT scan ( as syrinx don't show on xrays as a rule).

Good luck with everything and the book too!

Take care,

K


Edited to add:


Another cause can be Carpel Tunnel Syndrome ( it can be very very painful and also may cause some swelling in fingers).

Also, in answer to what to cause it, if it is Cervical nerve pinching/disc slippage, drs have advised that I ensure that my bed is firm and that I position myself with lots if pillows ( unfortunately already do). When I have a lot of numbness in my hands and face/arms, I also have been advised to wear a soft collar in bed. Drs seem to dislike the use of collars generally due to muscle dependency, but it can help if used short term.

Personally, I would go and get the opinion of the spinal unit/neurologist,

Edited by kewlcatkez, 24 November 2007 - 10:22 PM.

[Jsec64]

The last 6 months I have been getting pins and needles in my left arm down to my fingers which at times is really intense along with a pain from my neck along my shoulder to arm.
I have always put this down to an injury some years back diving into a swimming pool and injurying myself. X Rays taken 3 yrs ago showed a white mass C6/C7 which I'm not sure about the medical term. Certainly I have never discussed this of late with any Dr cause I always feel like I'm a hypercondriact and avoid Dr's if possible.
Now this thread is making me paranoid - lol

[enigma2]

 Jsec64, on Dec 7 2007, 02:05 AM, said:

The last 6 months I have been getting pins and needles in my left arm down to my fingers which at times is really intense along with a pain from my neck along my shoulder to arm.
I have always put this down to an injury some years back diving into a swimming pool and injurying myself. X Rays taken 3 yrs ago showed a white mass C6/C7 which I'm not sure about the medical term. Certainly I have never discussed this of late with any Dr cause I always feel like I'm a hypercondriact and avoid Dr's if possible.
Now this thread is making me paranoid - lol

I also get pins and needles down my forarms and fingers. At times it is a burning sensation. Numbness to my hands and sore, stiff fingers with weak wrists. Carpal tunnel has been ruled out as has MS. This did not appear until after my surgeries in the L5 S1 area which left me with cauda equina syndrome along with a host of other problems. The problems with my hands has not been identifide despite a multitude of test and I am told it can not be related to my condition. It still remains a mystery.

Edited by enigma2, 10 December 2007 - 06:32 AM.

[dom]

 TimRS, on Aug 27 2007, 04:48 PM, said:

I'm a T12 complete. My L1 was never re-aligned properly so it is trapping my spinal cord (I think this causes a lot of pain, as when I arch my back, the cord stretches instead of sliding smoothly). The thing is, I have been getting pins and needles in the little finger on my left hand, and when I went to see my GP, she was really helpful, but assured me that it is just tennis elbow, caused by an RSI because I'm writing a book (more on that one day...).

Now, here's the thing... I have a vague recollection from my rehab days of another patient saying thatpins and needles in the fingers is a danger danger situation, as this could be the development of a syrrinx (spinal cyst), and I know that due to the compression on my cord I'm at greater risk of one developing. Should I try and pressure my consiultant for an appointment, or stop being so paranoid?

Hi Tim,i am L1 incomplete,soon after my accident i was lying on the bed for 5 weeks and damaged my ulnar nerve in left elbow [due to constant pressure lying there] this resulted in pins and needles of the left hand little finger like you,i had electrical tests on it [can't remember what they were called] then left it for six months to see if there was any improvement,unfortunately not so i went for a decompression operation which gradually brought the feeling back,although now my left arm is weaker,the nerve was trapped behind my elbow joint,maybe its not the same,take care

[Avocado Baby]

Hello again,

My pins and needles/numbness and burning have changed now and I'm geting shooting pains down both arms and into my hands. My fingers are throbbing. It's all the same kind of sensation and feels the same as the cervicogenic headaches I get, just in different places. I'm taking 50mg of Lyrca three times a day but am not sure what else to do. It's not agonising pain or anything but enogh to be unpleasant and wear me down.

Any suggestions?

I went to see the dr about it who told me it was tennis elbow and has referred me to physio at the local hospital. I've also seen my usual physio and an ostopath who say it definitely isn't tennis elbow!!

Thanks.

merry christmas everyone!

Edited by Pink Ali, 24 December 2007 - 10:47 PM.

[Ches]

I had pin and needles that run from the mid forearm to my thumb and index finger. It lasted a few months, and would come and go. Eventually I put 1 and 1 together and realize everything I was leaning my chin down I would onset the tingling. I didnt know why but at least I had figured out what caused it. I told my chiro.. got a few adjustments.. some decompression here and there and it gradually faded away. Not sure how much help that could be, but there ya go!

Oh yeah.. and,,. I had broken my neck to begin with

[Avocado Baby]

Thanks Ches,
My physio did say that sitting with my head up rather than looking down would help. I've been contemplating going to a chiropractor as there's one in my town who loads of people recommend. I've always been a bit dubious about them though as I've never believed that they could 're-align' things. I'm fused from T8 down as well so, I'm a bit scared of letting anyone near my back in case they do any more harm than good.

I may look into it though.