Joe A Shaw PA-C - 5/22/2008

Question
I have been told I have a herniaded disk in my neck,  c-3 c-5 (I believe) I am having tinging in my back and my fingers on my left side fall asleep is this normal? If any what other symptoms should I be aware of, I also feel pressure up in my face if I move just right, and my hearing goes a little, kinda like I'm going to faint.I would like to know if surgery would fix this problem? I'm having a lot of pain with this..

Answer
Tammy,
I would keep investigating..C3-C5 should really not have any effects on fingers per se...as they are controlled by C6-C8. The cervical or neck nerves don't have anything to do with your hearing or face nerves?..those are controlled by your cranial(brain)nerves. If you have a ruptured or herniated disc..you may have pain,ache, burning symptoms about the neck, shoulder,upper arm,scapula areas?? Also the herniation should be to the left if you are having symptoms on the left. Make sure you get a EMG/NCS of the upper arms by a physician who is board certified..preferably in electrodiagnostic medicine. Also an MRI if you havent gotten one already. Then a second surgical opinion IF surgery is recommended...either by a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon.

http://www.carpal-tunnel-symptoms.com/EMG-test-for-carpal-tunnel-syndrome.html