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I am a 53 yr old woman.On 6/11/14 I had cervical spine surgery with the following procedures. Anterior Instrumentation 2-3 Vertebral Segments,VCRPEC Ant DCMPRN CRV 1 SGM, CRV EA SGM. Arthrodesis Anterior Interbody cervical belw c2 and ea addl NTRSPC. Allograft for spine surgery only structural.Autograft for same incision and allograft spine surgery morselized.I was told all went well and went home 2 days later.I also quit smoking cold prior to surgery.It was a 42 year habit.My concerns now are these.Should I still be choking on food?It is very difficult drinking liquids also.I also have been experiencing upper back numbness that just feels more than numb.It is like the part that gets numb also bunches and tightens up.Yet it is painless.If I sit up straight,my throat feels constricted,but by holding my head downward,it lessens the pressure.Is this normal?I have been given norcos for pain,but have taken just 2 since my discharge.Any comments would really be appreciated.Thank you.
I am unclear as to the surgery as initials are normally not used to describe surgery.
I assume it might be a vertebral corpectomy with allograft and plate.Difficulty with swallowing is not abnormal after a corpectomy. This problem can take up to six months to resolve. You might try thick liquids (yoghurt or “shakes”) until the problem resolves as thicker liquids are easier to swallow. Sometimes, oral steroids can help to reduce this problem.
Upper back numbness is unusual for a post-operative symptom. A dull ache in this region is typical if the graft distracts the degenerative area. The stretch of the posterior ligaments will cause this dull ache.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.Thank you so much for your quick response.I will be taking the difficulty swallowing and make it work to my advantage,like weight loss.As for the procedures,my apologies. I looked at my paperwork and found I had a Anterior Cervical Fusion done.This is all confusing to me.My last surgery was about 30 years ago now.I was told prior to this surgery that I would most likely need another one done on my lower back as well.As it is difficult for me to walk,as my legs become weaker,and I am not able to lift them very high,they begin to drag.This is also happens when first getting out of bed or from a chair.Prior to surgery I was getting very bad lower back pains that have since stopped.But the weakness is still here and has become more severe since surgery.The numbness I will call the doctor about.Again,Thank you.
My latest update.I saw my spine dr and when I told him about the weakness and numbness on my back he said You have myelalamacia.That surgery was done to try to keep me from getting worse. And that if I did become worse my only option is to have surgery again but through the back of my neck and not the front.Which he explained is a very risky operation to do.Both hands scream all day every day now. My whole body hurts and I am almost too weak to even get out of bed mornings.Back is still numb but larger area now and also the muscles bunch and move and tighten ect. It has also become very hard to have a bowel movement.I am not constipated,just weak.I have also lost more feeling when urinating.This doesn’t sound good for me does it.
Myelomalacia is a thinning of the spinal cord due to compression injury of the cord. This syndrome leads to myelopathy which by your symptom report you most likely have. See website for discussion of this disorder.
If the compression is still present, this does need to be addressed surgically. I cannot tell you if the surgery should be from the front or back of the spine. This depends upon many factors.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.Thank you, this answer was very helpful.I had another question.At the base of my spine the last vertabre appears to protrude a bit more than the one next to it,and if I push on it but not hard,whle standing both my legs instantly begin to crumple and I almost fall.Do you have any idea what causes that? Thank you.
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