After getting neck pain, I have tingling and numbness in my legs. Is this normal?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 39-year-old male without any systemic illness. Previously, I got neck pain in the gym. My neck became stiff with pain. It was accompanied by mild dizziness, and it went away after five to ten minutes. After that, I consulted a physician, and I was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in the neck. After a few days, it radiated to my left arm. Again, I consulted a physician, and he told me that radiculopathy is normal with a pinched neck nerve.

He referred me to a physiotherapist. After that, I stopped doing heavy overhead exercises, and I started to do physiotherapy training on the neck with a light band. It has been six weeks now, and my condition is better. Three days ago, I started to have tingling and numbness in my feet with chills after sleeping, and it went away after waking.

Is this normal? Do I need to evaluate this condition?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query. A pinched nerve is different from a pinched spinal cord. Compression of the spinal cord can be suspected clinically, and it is confirmed by doing MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the cervical spine. It is unlikely to have tingling in both legs due to compression of the spinal cord. You can have a diagnosis of a pinched nerve in the left arm causing symptoms in the legs.

Kindly answer my questions. Please mention whether you have numbness only in your left leg. Please mention whether you have done an MRI scan previously. Please mention whether you have any stiffness while walking. Please mention whether you have any difficulty in passing motion or urine.

Please answer my questions to have a good diagnosis.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Numbness and tingling can occur due to problems in the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. If the symptoms are present in both legs, then it is good to do spine imaging. If it is present only on one leg and arm, then it is good to do nerve conduction studies. Chills can occur due to superficial involvement of nerves, and it is not related to spine problems. You need to do physiotherapy. Running can help your knees to get better.

Please attach the reports of the MRI and images in the follow-up.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

MS (multiple sclerosis) occurs more commonly in females than males. The common symptoms are sensory loss in limbs or one side of the face, unilateral visual loss, acute or subacute motor weakness, diplopia, gait disturbance, and balance problems. Lhermitte's sign is observable. It is seen as an electric shock-like sensation that runs down the back and limbs due to flexion of the neck.

The other symptoms are vertigo, bladder problems, limb ataxia, acute transverse myelitis, and pain. You need to do a spine MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to rule out MS. There are other things such as eye examinations, including VEP (visual evoked potential test), MRI of the spine with contrast, and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination for oligoclonal bands. It looks like a muscle pull and spasm. You will become fine soon.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your cervical MRI report. I cannot see anything except minor issues like degenerative changes. These MRI changes occur in almost every individual. You can start doing good cervical exercise. The cervical spine serves as a location for multiple sclerosis, and you do not have any efficient changes on it. As you are too young, you will not get ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) at this stage. ALS starts with twitching, cramps in calves, thinning of muscles, and swallowing issues. MS or ALS remains stable in your life with a good exercise regimen.

I hope this helps.