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  • Stephen67
    Participant
    Post count: 4

    Hi

    Great forum, many thanks for your commitment.

    I am two weeks post op and suffering from numbness, tingling, pain in my left arm.

    ACDF was routine according to surgeon, c5 c6 disc replaced with de puy cage.

    MRI showed c6 nerve root compression and some spinal cord compression.

    Post op follow up with consultant in four weeks.

    Is it common for a number of weeks to pass before nerves settle and symptoms recede? Or is it possible I still have compression issues?

    Many thanks in advance.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8660

    Did you have numbness and paresthesias in your left arm before or is this new (or intensified)? Rarely, an ACDF surgery can aggravate the nerve root in the foramen after a decompression. If you have no new weakness after surgery, more likely it is root swelling. I would consider an oral steroid for these symptoms. It is still possible to have continued compression.

    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.
    Stephen67
    Participant
    Post count: 4

    Hi

    Many thanks for your reply, it really is much appreciated.

    The numbness and tingling is very similar to pre op levels, no better no worse.

    To be sure I understand, you are suggesting there may be some root swelling (likely c6 nerve), which an oral steroid may help with?

    Would root swelling due to aggravation during surgery normally reduce or dissipate over time naturally? Or would the steroid be required to reduce the root swelling? Might this be the type of scenario a surgeon may have in mind when using a term like ‘nerves settling down’?

    Many thanks again. Your thoughts are very helpful. In the UK is not possible to have a dialogue directly with my surgeon until next follow up.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8660

    The nerve could be aggravated by the decompression, could be swollen from the freedom of the decompression (rare), could still be compressed by an incomplete decompression or the incorrect diagnosis could have been entertained.

    In my mind, the next treatment should be an oral steroid. If that is only temporarily effective, a new MRI and then possibly a selective nerve root block to diagnose and possibly treat the remaining radiculopathy.

    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.
    Stephen67
    Participant
    Post count: 4

    Thank you so much doctor. I shall pursue a prescription of oral steroids in the first instance.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8660

    Please keep us posted as to your progress.

    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.
Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 8 total)
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