[Mechelle]

#4782

Hello,

I have been suffering from mild- moderate tingling/ pain/electric feeling in my arms and legs for a few months. Recently neck pain presented- its not severe, but my neck is stiff and I have less than full mobility. I had a cervical MRI. They told me that my cervical spine was straight, not curved like normal… They gave me medicine to help my nerve endings..but its not working.

Could this spine thing be squishing nerves and hurting me like this? Its generally my left arm and left leg, but it also occurs in the right side as well. I get a little dizzy and headachey from the neck pain too.

What can I do about this? I live in Istanbul, Turkey, or trust me I would already be sitting at your office waiting! haha. How can I fix the spine/ neck pain and stop the nerves from being squished (if that is in fact what is happening to me!)

Thank you so much for your time. Its nice that you take time to read peoples questions.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#4783

The MRI needs to be evaluated by a radiologist or spine surgeon. It would be distinctly unusual for the only finding to be the “cervical spine was straight”. The MRI is not helpful for normal alignment as it is performed with you lying down in an unnatural position with the coil on your neck.

Pins and needles (paresthesias) in your arms and legs could be from the neck but also has other potential sources. If possible, could you send your MRI on a DVD/CD with a DICOM reading program to my office with a cover letter? I would be happy to comment on it.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

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