[stsx0x]

#28103

I am 21 years old and had a C1-C@ fusion back in July. My C2 was fractured for over 2 years unknowingly before the operation occurred. A cyst also formed. I was experiencing severe neck pain along with strange and bizzare neurological issues like facial tingling, eye pressure subtle vision disturbances. The fusion was done with the brooks wiring method. The last time I saw the surgeon was in november and he said it looked to be healing fine. I am very terrified and worried right now that something is wrong. I have been experiencing more pain, vertigo/ feeling of being high, and most bothersome eye issues. I went to the eye doctor and it was all fine which makes me think its related. There is pressure around the eye, some focusing issues and dryness. I am also wondering what would be symptoms of non – union. I am very concerned as I am very active and am worried I did something to mess it up. I know I should bring these concerns to the surgeon and I have an appointment in several weeks but I would like some inishgt now as he’s unreachable

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#28109

Your symptoms could be consistent with a pseudoarthrosis but a fusion of C1-2 will significantly reduce rotation motion in your neck so nearby structures have increased stress and can cause symptoms too. The first thing to do is to get X-rays with motion. A pseudoarthrosis might be easily visible but possibly not. If there is any questions, then a CT scan would be then next step (but this scan needs to be limited to only occiput to C3 as you don’t need your entire neck imaged).

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.

[stsx0x]

#28122

Thanks for the reply. What are other symptoms of that? Also due to the long nature of untreated injury is it feasible that nerves related to the eye were permanently damaged or nerves in general?

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#28123

Localized upper neck pain and headaches can be generated from pseudoarthrosis of C1-2. There is very little chance that you suffered a permanent spinal cord injury with a “missed fracture” of the odontoid of C2 if you didn’t have a cord injury initially when you had that head and neck trauma initially. The “eye nerves” do not exit the skull so an injury to C1-2 would not cause eye disorders.

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.

[stsx0x]

#28124

Thanks. Is it possible for their to have been nerve damage? My surgeon says it’s impossible to know exactly what since it was like that for so long. The symptoms immediately followed the incident but I didn’t realize what the incident was for 2 years as noted. I’m also worried maybe a brain tumor could be causing these strange sensations but it has been 3 years and they are subtle … what are common brain tumor symptoms? That you have seen not just the generic head ache blurry vision seizures vomiting because I don’t have those

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#28141

Brain tumors are exceedingly rare so it is unlikely that you have a tumor. If the specific symptoms or physical examination notes cranial nerve involvement, then your surgeon would have ordered a brain MRI. However, if you note symptoms of “head ache blurry vision seizures vomiting” and no causes have been found such as Arnold Chiari syndrome, an MRI of the brain can be indicated.

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.

[Author]

Posts