I'll be brief since it hurts to type. I am a 40yr old female with pain from the right side of my neck to my pinki finger.
About 8 years ago i tripped and fell, tried to catch myself with my hand, palm open, then went over sideways to the right. Thats when it all started, pain, numbness, cold hand, dead arm.
3 years ago I had it examined by an orthopedic, no x-rays, cortizone shot to no avail, and 1 year of PT 2-3 times a week. That helped some, but now the pain and numbness are dictating my days.
I now feel sharp pains in my clavicle when I yawn or breathe deeply, there is alot of popping and grinding in that area, bicept burns, hand is cold and numb most of the time, have to sleep on back and I still wake up with my arm "dead".
Went back to work this last year, I am a hairdresser, and I can only work 3 days a week due to the pain. Now my left shoulder is beginning to act up just as my right one did 8 years ago.
I need direction, who do I see? What tests do I get? I have good insurance and have hit my deductable for the year so I am ready to go.
Sorry to be so to the point, but it kills me to type and use that stupid mouse.
I am REALLY looking forward to some feedback, Thanks

Hang in there Fig Bean!! Someone will likely be around soon with some help for you!!!!

Has anyone looked at your spine or shoulder with an MRI or CT scan? It may not be just your hand, you may have jammed or broken something way up in there. I think I'd be asking for some testing. I fell on my elbow and hand and crushed my elbow and at the same time broke the joint where the bone attaches in the middle of my chest. Can't remember what they were.

Billye

I think it would be a good idea to schedule an appointment with a new orthopedist for a second opinion. Your other option is to go to a neurologist. You need a diagnosis before you can get effective treatment. Your left shoulder is most likely acting up because you are over using it in order to protect your right one. This will continue to get worse if you keep working. You might want to decide if you can afford to quit working until you get a diagnosis and effective treatment.

I agree with Silverlady & Dakota and i am really surprised that no xrays were taken after your fall, you would think that they would be looking were the damage is before blindly shooting you with cortizone.
good luck with it anyway,
Brian

Ditto on getting MRI or x-ray, of the cervical and clavicle areas.
Jammed disks or pinched nerves ,may be your problem.
Anyway, rule out the obvious with as much testing as possible,
then move on the the not-so-obvious. You gotta get to the bottom of this.

I suggest having your doctor order a nerve conduction study .I agree that it would be a good thing to consult a neurologist as well. Ask your doc if he /she can order a wrist splint for you to wear at night time ,and if you can wear it in the day try doing it it as well. If you do have carpal tunnel it can provide some relief because when you bend your wrist you put pressure on the median nerve and splinting it takes some of the pressure off of it.Its a simple step and has no inherent risk but as with all medical advice run it by your doctor. I have had a bilateral carpal tunnel release and recently was dx with cubital tunnel syndrome as well as polyneurapathy.My work involves using my hands a lot and I totally sympathize with your frustration.Good luck and heres to a remedy that will really help.

Thanks all! I am seeing a neurologist today and will ask about the nerve conduction study and insist on x-rays. I really do feel that the source is in either my neck or clavicle area.
Is there any advise about using multiple specialists? I mean, if the cause is a break in a joint like silverlady had, will the neurologist see that like an orthopedic would?
I RELISH all of your advise!

Hi Figbean,

I think the neuro should be the primary doc since many of the symptoms seem neuro related. I think and EMG is a good idea that way you will know whether the irritation is upper or lower brachial plexus.

And xray could be good to see if you may have an extra set of 1st ribs which can put pressure on the nerves and clavicle and muscles in that area.

Also be careful with your profession because I know it can cause you to hold your arms up for a long time which could be putting pressure on that bracial plexus area.

And physical therapy could aggravate the area if they are not doing the right things, especially strengthening exercises if you are not ready for it. The Sharon Butler and Suparna Damay books are great to deal with repetitive strain or other injuries in that area.

Good luck.