OfflineHello to Everyone,
I just joined this forum today, searching for answers to the diagnosis that I received today from my Neurosurgen.
Today was my first first with this Dr. and I was surprised to learn that I had a critical problem and needed immediate surgery. He showed me my xrays and MRI and explained that my spinal cord was compressed 40% and that I ran the risk of permanet damage to my spinal cord resulting in death or paralysis. He recommended that I have spinal fusion/cage surgery.
In the past I have been evaluate and treated by a neurologist for pain in my forearms, hands and feet. Was diagnosed as having small fiber disease and placed on Lyrica. I also had carpal tunnel surgery for pain in hand with no relieve.
I'm not asking anyone to give me a medical evaluation based on this information but would like to know if anyone has every been told that 40% compression on the spinal cord is a life threatening or a permanetly disabiling situation.
I am, of course, quite concerned about my situation but somewhat skeptical of the diagnosis. I am in the process of
trying to find another neurosurgen for a second opinion.
In the mean time, I am trying to get as much information as I can so I can make an informed decision.
I would be greatful for any comments and information referrals that can be given.
Thanks.
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Hi and welcome to Spine-Health. Below is a link to some pointers our moderator Ron put together to help new members with the forum.
Delta, I was having a lot of pain in my neck. I was also dropping things and tripping and falling down. The NS did an MRI and it showed a great deal of stenosis in my cervical spine. The issue with me was myelopathy. I don't know what you have but the compression on my cervical spinal cord was causing damage (myelopathy). The problem with myelopathy is you can perform surgery and make the stenosis better but it does not fix the cord damage. My surgery was in December of 07 and I still have most of the symptoms which are probably permamant. If i did not have the surgery I risked having my legs and arms paralyzed permanantly and loss of bowels and bladder control. As it is I have a paralyzed right shoulder, numb finders on my left hand I trip and fall (gait disturbance) have pain, and other things. If I had not waited maybe I would not have these terrible symptoms which may prevent me from working for the rest of my life!!!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact (PM) any one of the Moderators here Priestess , Bruce , Paulgla , DiLauro
Again welcome.......Paul
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Cervical myelopathy, 15 surgeries to date, Severe OA, bilateral knee replacements, DDD, 13 MRI’s, 4 sets of spinal cortisone procedures and dozens of cortisone shots in other areas for OA. Upcoming scheduled surgeries include laminectomy and removal of synovial cyst located at left facet joint of L4-L5 (may require fusion); Right resection of A-C joint (left was done 12 years ago, by far the most painful of all my surgeries)
Wow Delta6,
I don't know about you but what Paul describes are my worst fears. It appears your neuro may be right but it sure would help to get a 2nd opinion from another one. That way you'll be certain that the surgery is the best thing for you.
I found out that I had lumbar stenosis 2 or 3 years ago and just recently found out that I have moderate to severe cervical stenosis. I figured I'd wait till I have drop foot or am needing a wheelchair all the time (I used one at Disney World a few weeks ago) before having surgery. I am seeing a neurologist next week to get some idea of how much nerve damage I have. I had complete bladder incontinence last summer and fall but it has gotten better. Can't tell you why, but I sure am thankful! I occassionally drop things and when the pain is most severe I have trouble lifting my left leg (My PT says I have 50% loss of function in that leg.)My pain is much improved with the PT and I was considering not going to the neurologist.
All that to say..after hearing your story Paul, I am definitely going and may not want to wait for surgery much longer.....
Thanks for sharing.
Lauren
DDD, Moderate to severe stenosis C3-C6, Mild to moderate stenosis L1-L5, buldging discs, pain around all major joints, numbness in extremities and face, 50% loss of function in left leg, some in left arm and right extremities. Plantar fascitis, carpel tunnel, tennis elbow and bursitis.
Meds include Norflex, Mobic & Celexa.
I'm released from PT aftercare and am swimming 3/4 of a mile 2x a week. Next week to replace the PT I start a pilates class!
Is your hand,arm,feet pain actually due to this?
i've heard comments on here before of people having surgery for carpel tunnel and it didn't help them probably because it wasn't that to begin with.I had surgery for spinal cord compression ,i had three discs that were flattening my spinal cord.i had mylopathy also and the surgeon says it is still fairly bad. Had my surgery in april of this year.i had gait trouble,muscle weakness in all four extremeties,pain all of my body and numbness up and down my arms and back.Had many falls which led me to use a cane and many more symptoms.Any kind of spinal cord compression can be very dangerous.If you fell or got into an accident that compression could cause paralyzis.
c4,5 c5,6 and c6,7 ACDF with titanium implants spinal stenosis and bone spurs.herniations at T7,8 and T11,12 also L4,5and S1.
Can you give us an update please? Just wondering how you're doing. Charry
DDD thoracic and cervical C5-C7 Herniated Lumber 5-S1 with impingement on the nerve. Sciatica to both legs, weakness in right leg and pain and swelling worse in left leg and foot. Off work 8 months due to severe pain while walking and can't sit more than 20 minutes. Not a surgical candidate but rather referral to pain clinic. Trigger therapy nerve blocks, 2 epidurals(caudal)