Intermittent Thumb Tingling After C6 Fracture at 2 Weeks
Intermittent tingling in your thumb at 2 weeks post-injury with a stable, non-displaced C6 fracture is within the expected range of normal recovery and does not necessarily indicate instability or progressive neurological injury. 1
Understanding C6 Nerve Root Distribution
- The C6 nerve root specifically innervates the thumb and radial (thumb-side) aspect of the hand, making thumb tingling a classic C6 distribution symptom 2
- Transient paresthesias can result from initial nerve root irritation, soft tissue edema, or bone bruising that persists during the healing phase 2
- The fact that your symptoms are intermittent rather than constant or progressive is reassuring and suggests resolving inflammation rather than ongoing compression 1
Expected Timeline for Stable C6 Fractures
- Stable cervical fractures typically require 4-6 weeks of collar use for conservative management 1
- You are currently at approximately 2 weeks, which is still early in the healing process 1
- Neurological symptoms from soft tissue edema and signal alteration may linger even after clinical recovery has begun 2
When Symptoms Become Concerning
You should seek immediate reevaluation if you develop:
- Progressive or worsening numbness (not just intermittent tingling) 1
- New weakness in thumb extension, wrist extension, or grip strength (these are C6-innervated muscles) 3
- Constant rather than intermittent symptoms 2
- Symptoms spreading to other fingers or involving the entire hand 2
- New neck pain that is severe or different in character 1
Collar Management Considerations
- For stable fractures like yours, the collar should be worn during all upright activities and transfers 1
- The collar can be removed while lying flat in bed to minimize complications of prolonged immobilization, including pressure sores and other morbidity 1
- The collar primarily serves as a reminder to limit neck motion rather than providing absolute mechanical stability 1
Critical Caveats
- While intermittent tingling at 2 weeks is common, unremitting or progressive neurological symptoms warrant immediate imaging reevaluation 2, 1
- MRI can detect soft tissue injuries, ligamentous damage, or cord signal changes that may not be visible on initial CT, though it tends to overestimate injury severity with false-positive rates of 25-40% 2
- However, in the absence of progressive neurological deficits, CT combined with clinical examination is typically sufficient to rule out clinically significant injuries 2
Practical Next Steps
- Continue wearing your cervical collar as prescribed during all upright activities 1
- Monitor for any progression or worsening of symptoms 2
- Maintain active finger motion exercises to prevent stiffness, as finger motion does not adversely affect stable cervical fractures 2, 4
- Follow up with your treating physician at scheduled intervals, typically around 3-4 weeks for clinical and radiographic reassessment 1