[piloncho20]

#32779

Looking for right diagnosis.
My husband Had laminoplasty done last October because his left arm was feeling weak
Right now both arms are severe weak no improvement after surgery
Right now Mri shows severe foraminal stenosis level c5 c6 Doctor said nothing he can’t do about his weakness

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#32781

Laminoplasty is performed for cervical stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) as the laminoplasty opens the canal to prevent compression/dysfunction of the cord. If there is cord injury, the decompression prevents further injury but only mother nature can heal the spinal cord.

However, if there is also radiculopathy present (compression of the nerve root in the foramen- the nerve exit hole), then muscle weakness can occur even with a decompression of the central canal. Therefore, a good and meticulous physical examination and comparison of the results to the images would need to be completed.

I unfortunately can’t look at images on this site. Also, I can’t examine your husband thru the internet.

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.

[piloncho20]

#32786

Thank you Dr! Doctor said nothing they can do about his Severe arms weakness, ven think is als
Here is the mri report
Findings: spinal cord t2 high signal present in the left cord at c3 c4 consistent with myeolomalacia

C3c4 – decreased disk height and signal with protruding posterior osteophyte disc complex impressing upon the ventral thecal sac without central stenosis . Normal right neural Foramen. Mild to moderate left foraminal stenosis.

C5c6 – decreased disk height and signal with protruding posterior osteophyte disc complex impressing upon the ventral thecal sac without central stenosis . Bilateral Severe foraminal stenosis.

Reversal of cervical lordosis

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#32789

The C4 nerve (C3-4 level) connects to no important muscles so it could not be causing perceived muscle weakness in the arm. The C5-6 level however can cause weakness of the biceps and wrist extensor which is involved in grip. Your husband has “Bilateral Severe foraminal stenosis” so this still could be causing problems even with the cord injury.

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.

[piloncho20]

#32792

Thanks Doctor !
We just don’t know what to do, 3 doctors had said even with foraminal stenosis in those doesn’t explain how severe his arms are ;( keep talking about als
He is also experiencing some numbness in left arm, has been a year when he started with weakness in left arm
I wish there is a way you can see his mri
We need answers

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#32793

I can perform a “Long Distance Consultation” which allows me for a fee to review your records and images and then call you in person but the one thing I can’t do from a distance is examine your husband. This would be an important part of your husband’s information for diagnosis and potential treatment options.

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.

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