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Radial nerve injury?

Original Post
highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

First, I don't know how I did it. Maybe climbing. Maybe because I've got a longer commute now? Maybe just because I'm a fairly weak, non durable skinny human.

Anyway, a small annoying pain, near the scapula, but more medial, has progressed in two/three weeks to something else. I've lost all tone in my tricep. I can barely raise my hand empty if done in a tricep curl motion. 

When climbing, I have to slowly and clumsily extend my arm to where I'm going. It's difficult and hurts and I don't like to do it. 

I can't look up without severe pain in the region of my back I described. I'm certain that I cannot ride a road bike but I could probably ride a mountain bike. I'm not sure.

My hand is probably 80 percent as strong as before, not bad at all, so let's say unaffected.

My cervical MRI is scheduled for the Wednesday after next. GP appointment for the following Friday. 

In the meantime, has anyone else experienced this? What helped? Epidural steroids? Laminectomy? It's getting worse by the day and I do very little lately, so time off isn't the question.

ErikaNW · · Golden, CO · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 410

Those are pretty significant neuro signs. Sorry to hear that - it will be good to have imaging results. You might also try PT - traction (manual or mechanical) might help to decompress the nerve root. Sounds higher/more segmental nerve root rather than radial nerve from your description. 

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

Yeah, I'm guessing. The mei will be cervical. I may ask my doctor extend the req further into the upper thoracic.

It feels like something serious. Whether permanent or surgical or something, we'll see.

ubu · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 10

See what the MRI shows, but don't read too much into the radiologist's report unless there is something super obvious.  When I lost strength in one hand last year, to the point where I could not tie my shoes (and climbing was out of the question), the radiologist claimed I had severe C6/C7 stenosis, but my orthopedist disagreed after looking over the scans.  PT and simple yoga stretches ultimately fixed the problem.  Be patient and don't jump in to either surgery or steroid injections without trying the simple stuff first.

Gumby boy king · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2019 · Points: 547

As others have said it sounds like more of a spinal issue. Figure that out with a doc and then find someone who can show you ELDOA excersizes if you want to try and avoid a possible surgery. 

I knew a guy who had the same symptoms, specifically loss of tricep and he has had several neck surgeries to try and fix the problem....

Monroe Still · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2020 · Points: 0

Thanks for the information njmcdirect

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

So here is where I'm at.

Herniated disc between C4 and C5. That is what's causing the numbness in my finger tips. 

The weakness is that and also C7 stenosis. The C7 is pretty specifically why my tricep is soooo weak.

All in all, exactly what I thought.

It's already getting better, my tricep extension has improved. A week ago I couldn't get a can of beans into the air, now I can but that darn jar of spaghetti sauce still beats me.

At this rate, I'll be able to move some serious diced tomatoes by the end of the year.

I've been referred to physical therapy. I imagine it'll be a lot of ROM and weight up to what the weak side can handle. We'll see.

I can't ride a bike yet but I'm practicing my unicycing. I'm attempting to jog. Other than that, I will continue my once weekly toproping fails (on stuff that wasn't a warm up, not so long ago).

Updates as they occur.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35
Dan Daugherty wrote:

From talking to multiple surgeons its at best a 30% chance that the pain will be resolved by surgery in my case where I'm compressing the C7. It's good to put out the chances of it actually working too, not just the best possible outcome. There's a significant amount of terror involved when considering spinal surgery and I'd like to know it's going to actually be worth it and not have to be done multiple times, especially if there is a laundry list of non-surgical solutions available now.

OP, definitely have them go lower on the MRI. My doc insisted that it was only cervical, showed the results of the MRI and convinced me to get an epidural in the C7 space. Horrible idea and after that made things worse (helped for about two days and then the paresthesia came back on with a vengeance) I went to a new PT who started exploring my thoracic spine and ,my symptoms are finally decreasing. Dry needling, mobility and strengthening have all played a huge role in being able to use my left arm again. EMG has also been suggested to me and I think that's a great idea.

The unofficial consensus is 30 percent get help, 30 no change, and 30 get worse. 

I don't like those odds.

Carlton flores · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2022 · Points: 0

A radial nerve injury usually causes symptoms in the back of your hand, near your thumb, and in your index and middle fingers. Symptoms may include a sharp or burning pain, as well as unusual sensations in your thumb and fingers. It's common to experience numbness, tingling, and trouble straightening your arm. get-vidmate.com  instagram saver

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