Facing Strange Symptoms from last month, please help

Tagged: Head symptoms

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

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paromita87
Participant

June 21, 2016 at 1:50 pm

Post count: 3

#22452

Hello Dr.Corenman,

My name is Mita from Columbus, Ohio.

I am facing some very strange symptoms from last month and wanted to see if you have any opinion/advice on what it could be. Most doctors I visited are unable to diagnose me.

Last month I was under extreme stress…and suddenly these symptoms started happening –

– Numbness and tingling on my nose and going up to my left temple
– 3 of my abcessed tooth on the left jaw flared up and started paining/inflammed
– Burning tongue
– Tinnitus in my left ear started (high pitch)
– I got the tooth removed but the tinnitus stayed
– Dentist told me I have arthritis in my left jaw
– Now I am having more symptoms like pins and needles and pricks kind of sensation all over my body
– Pain in my neck and shoulders
– Tender scalp at the back of my head

and of course the numbness on my nose stays along with tingling in my left temple (sometimes right also).
I had some previous degeneration in my upper neck and lower spine, the ball of my neck hurts.

I have some xrays if you wish to look at them. Also have a brain MRI, the nuero says I do not have MS.

Any idea what am I dealing with ?

Thanks for your help,
Mita

Donald Corenman, MD, DC
Moderator

July 3, 2016 at 2:53 pm

Post count: 8660

#22533

Stress will not generally cause direct symptoms (pain and numbness) but will cause symptom aggravation or increased intensity of symptoms of preexisting problems. Symptoms in the head (other than posterior head pain and some headaches) are not caused by neck vertebra. Jaw arthritis (temperomandibular joint-TMJ) can cause many head symptoms. Stress can cause jaw clenching which can in turn aggravate TMJ symptoms.

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.

paromita87
Participant

July 3, 2016 at 4:18 pm

Post count: 3

#22535

Hello Dr. Corenman,

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it.

So as I understand, you are not seeing this as a trouble with my C1, C2, correct ?
Asking as some people are advising to goto Upper Cervical Chiro for a C1, C2 kind of adjustment.

In your opinion, this is a TMJ kind of trouble ? The problem is my Maxoifacial Surgeon wont acknowledge this is TMJ as I can open my mouth wide (39 cm)….not sure what to do now….if you know of anybody who can help with a TMJ problem in Columbus, Ohio, please let me know.

Thanks again for your help.

Mita

Donald Corenman, MD, DC
Moderator

July 3, 2016 at 4:35 pm

Post count: 8660

#22538

C2 or C3 roots (there is no C1) will not cause facial symptoms. TMJ can cause some of your symptoms but the surgeon you have seen should have the best understanding of this disorder. Be careful with upper cervical manipulation as some complications can occur from this type of treatment.

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.

paromita87
Participant

July 3, 2016 at 5:01 pm

Post count: 3

#22539

Thank you I understand.

Yes, I am also not comfortable going for a neck area manipulation…

Is there a way to know whats going on with my jaw…I have taken two panoramic xrays, but they just show the bones….if I want to see any complications that may be happening with nerves/muscles….will I have to do a mri of the area ? Also can an orthodontist or a peridontist help ?

I have a feeling, I am not finding the right person to go to for this jaw trouble. But do not know what to do. If you know anybody who can help with this, please let me know.

Thanks for your help in this matter, Mita

p.s. I am very distraught due to my tinnitus….taking anti anxieties to live…any help would be appreciates. Have a beautiful family (13 year old daughter) and want to be there for her.

Donald Corenman, MD, DC
Moderator

July 4, 2016 at 8:44 am

Post count: 8660

#22546

I would love to point you in the correct direction but I have only little knowledge of the TMJ. I would normally point to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon but you have found a dead end with that. There are some dentists who might have some sub specialization but I cannot guide you through that. Do some internet searches. Unfortunately, what is advertised might not be accurate but at least you might get some guidance.

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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Donald Corenman, MD, DC

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81 reviews

Eric S

Sep 26, 2021

by Eric S on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Successful pars repair at 46 years old

Back in November of 2018 (at 46 years old) I came from Vancouver BC to have a pars repair done with Dr. Donald Corenman at the Steadman Clinic in Vail Colorado. I'm finally posting this review nearly three years later in late 2021. The reason I waited so long was I wanted to know the final result before I posted my review. Unfortunately in that time Dr. Corenman has retired. Nevertheless, I want to post this review of Dr. Corenman and his staff at the Steadman Clinic in their excellent treatment of my L5 pars interarticularis.

I fractured my pars at age 42 back in 2014 when rolling on the gym floor, and was denied treatment by the Canadian healthcare system, probably due to my age. First my GP told me there was no surgical option for a pars defect, which was quite incorrect! I tried to live with it, but the symptoms worsened (periodic random spine slippage and weeks of resultant pain after just bending over to tie my shoe, so I eventually learned to mostly squat and hardly bend). When I finally consulted with Canadian spine surgeons, I was told they believed my pars defect had been congenital (since birth). This was absurd, considering I had done extreme martial arts (including jiu jitsu) for years prior, as well as 5 years of reinforcing steel full time in my 20s, probably the hardest job on the back you can find. No pars defect like mine would possibly have allowed this--ergo it was impossible that I had had the defect since birth. I did however have an asymptomatic congenital spina bifida occulta that made me more susceptible to a pars fracture. In 2014 in one instant, I went from having the strongest back people I knew said they'd ever seen, to being unable to safely bend over and tie my shoe without a non-negligible risk of my spine slipping randomly (which would lead to weeks of pain after each occurrence). This was due to the unilateral L5 pars defect, otherwise known as spondylolysis. It was when lying in pain on the floor 4 years later after maybe the 6th spine slippage event post injury, that I had had enough, and resolved to have surgery. If Canada's "universal health care" said no, I would make lemonade from lemons, and find the very best surgeon in the world at pars repairs. That was Dr. Donald Corenman. Dr. Corenman back in 2018 ran a website https://neckandback.com/ that dedicated many pages to the science of every aspect of pars repairs, from eligibility (good discs on MRI), to best surgical techniques (minimal open compared to minimally invasive), best imaging to use (i.e., O-Arm with Stealth imaging vs. older fluoroscopy), the ideal amount of BMP to use and why not use too much or too little, and much more, all to do with pars repairs, pages upon pages of his site just on the pars, with scientific references and his own extensive expert opinion. As a health research statistician, I was very impressed with this. It was in stark contrast to the websites of other spine surgeons which barely gave the pars a word or two, focusing almost exclusively on fusions. I had found the best surgeon in the world for pars repairs, and so after Dr. Corenman personally screened my MRI to ensure my discs were healthy, I booked the surgery.

Being 46 years old at the time of surgery in 2018, with a 4-year-old pars fracture from 2014 combined with a congenital SBO meant my pars fragment was somewhat atrophied, but it was "very solid", said Dr. Corenman in the operative report. Nevertheless, it was challenging with two things to fix, the pars and SBO, and OR time was around 4 hours. Recovery over the following months was guided by a very clear "Spine binder" from the Steadman Clinic with strict rules of "no BLT" (no bending, lifting or twisting), and illustrated physiotherapy guidelines. They even warned patients to avoid fish oil supplements, which could excessively dampen inflammation and hence slow bone healing. They answered many questions I had during months of recovery, with responses coming from the very supportive Lori Fugate (then director of Dr. Corenman's practice), and Ehrich Bean (then physician's assistant at the practice), as well as a couple calls with Dr. Corenman himself after two of the CT scans. Ehrich Bean offered great advice for taking the spine binder conservatively due to the nature of pars repairs vs. fusions. The final post-op CT scan I had was a couple weeks ago at 34 months post-op, and Dr. Corenman had retired, but I got a very positive and informative call from Eric Strauch (current PA at the Steadman Clinic under Dr. Corenman's replacement there, and who had also worked with Dr. Corenman previously). The staff at the Steadman Clinic were extremely supportive all the way through the process. I should mention, the local Canadian spine surgeon did offer me very good post-operative support including antibiotics as needed to deal with a mild surface incision-site infection early on, booking numerous x-rays when I felt something was amiss, as well as booking all four of my post-op CT scans. I am very grateful for that support also.

My final result shows plenty of solid bone across the pars and a healed SBO, with my vertebral body now a solid bone ring instead of being broken at two places as it was pre-op. Does my spine hold up in the real world? You bet! I have recently dug and moved several yards of dirt and sand and gravel by myself (shovel and wheelbarrow!) to fix our water main, pulled roots from the yard, moved several "portable" (these are HUGE) air conditioners up several flights of stairs my myself, and lifted weights. I now run 2 miles (3.2 KM) several times weekly with a hard 100 meter dash in the middle. I bend deeply before each run I go on, with no spine slippage. My spine feels amazing. I can bend over to do exercise, or real word tasks, with no risk of spine slippage.

My sincere thanks to God, Dr. Donald Corenman, Lori Fugate, Ehrich Bean, Eric Strauch, and the Steadman Clinic, as well as the Canadian spine surgeon who offered me excellent post-operative care back in Canada. You have all given me a new lease on life.

Sincerely,
Eric S

Robert S

May 11, 2021

by Robert S on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Back Fusion Surgery

I had my entire lumbar spine fused in November of 2018. I had scoliosis , with pinched nerves that were so painful I could hardly walk - and standing for more than a few minutes was impossible. Even sitting was painful.
The fusion surgery produced immediate relief! And the recovery was much easier than I expected.
To this day I can do all the activities I love from hiking, to standing in a stream fly fishing to riding my bike long distances - or just walking down the street with my wife.
Kudos to Dr. Corenman and his staff, (including the two Erics) for taking such good care of me!

Leslie R

Jul 9, 2020

by Leslie R on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

TLIF

I had my TLIF surgery on 6/24/2020 by Dr. Corenman, I can not say enough good things about the Dr or his staff. I was always treated with respect and explained everything throughly, that made it easy for everyone to understand. I highly recommend Dr. Corenman and the Steadman Clinic.

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