cyn926
06-18-2007, 02:59 AM
I had been complaining of shoulder pain for several years and my doctor thought it was a rotator cuff/arthritic issue. He never ordered tests of any kind and I learned to live with a certain amount of pain and numbness.
In November 06, the pain increased dramatically, numbness and tingling in my finger tips as well as lhermitte's phenom. I immediately saw my PCP's Physician Assistant (I couldn't get in to see the MD), and she ordered an MRI, surprised no tests had been done to date. The MRI indicated a large herniation at C-5/6 with marked cord compression as well as a smaller herniation at 6/7. I had a two level anterior cervical fusion with allograph and plating on 12/26. The radiculpathy was relieved immediately, however, the burning pain never did subside completely. I have noticed if I sleep with any pressure at all on my hands or arms they fall asleep completely, so I have to sleep with my arms to my side. Shortly after the surgery, I noticed the reflexes in my legs were dramatically exagerated (much to the entertainment of my children), just hitting my thigh would cause my leg to kick completely up. I also noticed my gait is off, I walk a bit like a drunken sailor and am prone to tripping and/or stumbling much like someone under the influence (I don't drink alcohol at all). I am 46 years old, and do have spondylosis.
The neurosurgeon feels the pain is "nerve memory" from what he referred to operatively as an "impressive" herniation and compression (given his practice, it's surprising to hear him refer to anything as impressive), and may never completely resolve. He can't, or won't, explain the excessive reflexes or my stumbling nor has my PCP or his PA.
The pain in my neck has increased dramatically, if I turn my head the wrong way, the pain is so intense I'm almost blinded. I can turn my head easily from side to side, but can't lower it to read because the pain is so intense. However, there is no radiculopathy associated with my neck. They have ordered three MRI's of my spine as my lower back is now causing problems, with numbness and tingling of my legs and feet.
My question is, did the cord compression I experienced over such a long period of time cause permanent cord damage (causing the stumbling/reflex issue), or is it from the "nerve memory" issue? Will the reflexes and stumbling issues ever resolve? I do exercise with weights to strengthen both my lower spine and neck, and am well within my healthy weight (5'5", 125 lbs.).
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this regard. If I know this is permanent, it will make it that much easier to accept. Internet searches of permanent cord damaged from a herniation have provided little information.
In November 06, the pain increased dramatically, numbness and tingling in my finger tips as well as lhermitte's phenom. I immediately saw my PCP's Physician Assistant (I couldn't get in to see the MD), and she ordered an MRI, surprised no tests had been done to date. The MRI indicated a large herniation at C-5/6 with marked cord compression as well as a smaller herniation at 6/7. I had a two level anterior cervical fusion with allograph and plating on 12/26. The radiculpathy was relieved immediately, however, the burning pain never did subside completely. I have noticed if I sleep with any pressure at all on my hands or arms they fall asleep completely, so I have to sleep with my arms to my side. Shortly after the surgery, I noticed the reflexes in my legs were dramatically exagerated (much to the entertainment of my children), just hitting my thigh would cause my leg to kick completely up. I also noticed my gait is off, I walk a bit like a drunken sailor and am prone to tripping and/or stumbling much like someone under the influence (I don't drink alcohol at all). I am 46 years old, and do have spondylosis.
The neurosurgeon feels the pain is "nerve memory" from what he referred to operatively as an "impressive" herniation and compression (given his practice, it's surprising to hear him refer to anything as impressive), and may never completely resolve. He can't, or won't, explain the excessive reflexes or my stumbling nor has my PCP or his PA.
The pain in my neck has increased dramatically, if I turn my head the wrong way, the pain is so intense I'm almost blinded. I can turn my head easily from side to side, but can't lower it to read because the pain is so intense. However, there is no radiculopathy associated with my neck. They have ordered three MRI's of my spine as my lower back is now causing problems, with numbness and tingling of my legs and feet.
My question is, did the cord compression I experienced over such a long period of time cause permanent cord damage (causing the stumbling/reflex issue), or is it from the "nerve memory" issue? Will the reflexes and stumbling issues ever resolve? I do exercise with weights to strengthen both my lower spine and neck, and am well within my healthy weight (5'5", 125 lbs.).
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this regard. If I know this is permanent, it will make it that much easier to accept. Internet searches of permanent cord damaged from a herniation have provided little information.