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January 27, 2012 - 6:01pm
Any options to cervical spinal fusion surgery??
Are there any options to cervical spinal fusion surgery for compressed spinal cord? I've been having numbness, tingling, weakness & often excruciating burning pain in my hands that goes up my arms into my shoulders. Had an MrI & my neurosurgeon told me I had to have a spinal fusion surgery done because my spinal cord is being compressed. I was told I have cervical spondylosis & stenosis w/spinal cord impingement at c5/6. Scarey!! My chiropractor brother-in-law says low impact chiropractic adjustments is what I should do as a conservative treatment before surgery, which should be the last option. However the neurosurgeon says that chiropractics would be dangerous w/the stenosis. I believe it could cause paralysis...?? What do I do?? I really do not want to have to have this surgery!! But I am really afraid to go for the chiro adjustments... Can anyone give me their opinion...PLEASE!!
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Personally I did not have chiropractic care. I don't think it is safe when the spinal cord is being compressed. Just my opinion.
There are conservative treatments you should try like physical therapy and injections. Also get a second opinion.
24 years old. Started having neck and shoulder pain around age 18.
ACDF C4-C5 June 23rd, 2011.
Thank you for your reply! It seems as though you are among many to tell me not to do chiro....actually everyone that has responded has said the same! So I think I need to rule that one out of my care plan! I'm trying to get into Mayo Clinic (Long wait!) for my 2nd opinion (I also have some sort of autoimmune disorder going on...joint pain, weakness, bloodwork indicators, etc,... I think that I read somewhere there may be a connection.) From your pic it appears as if you had the fusion done...? Did it not 'fuse'?
Lar - you have 2 threads going for this question
I responded over at your other one
Ms. Humpty Dumpty Took a great fall. L1-L2-L3-L4 - S1 & S2 full herniations. Spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis, DDD, scoliosis. Knees, hips & spine have degenerative bone disease, arthritis and bone spurs. Age 50 - Here to find & offer support. *Had bilateral knee replacement surgery done March 15th, 2011
I don't know what your MRI looks like so I can't tell how severe the compression of your spinal cord is.
And I'm not trying to scare you with my story but I will tell it anyway. I have been born with a too narrow spinal canal which caused my problems. But I was doing sports 5 days a week, had no problems or indications but woke up one day with lots of tingling in my hands and walked with a limp with my right leg.
I talked 3 times to my GP and after a few months I was send to a neurologist and had an MRI done. On the MRI they found out I had severe stenosis with spinal cord compression on 3 levels and already signs of spinal cord bruising.
I had decompression surgery within a few weeks (no fusion). My canal is still very narrow and for that I'm having another second opinion. But the spinal cord injury is permanent.
So like I said, I don't know how severe your compression is, but take this really serious as your surgeon already said. Hopefully you will get your second opinion fast and not end up with permanent spinal cord damage.