[suraj14]

#21518

Hi.

I had aced 2 and half month ago due to injury with titanium plate at C6, C7 and now my surgeon took mri and it impression shows

1: Spinal fixation screws in situ. Artefacts noted posteriory due to the metallic implants. The screws are causing mild affacement of the CSF space posteriorly and mild indentation on the spinal cord at C6 and T1 levels.

2: Posterior disc osteophytes complex at C4-5 and C5-6 levels. There is mild narrowing of right exit foramen at C5-6 level.

3: Loss of cervical lordosis.

I can turn my head left but it’s difficult to turn it right. When i make a fist with right hand, it feels in neck. My grip is slightly lower than before the surgery and my neck is swelling.

Is it danger? Can i treat it at home? I live in a poor country with low grade medical facility. I’m only 26, sorry for my english. Help me please.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#21519

First question would be what was the trauma and what was the injury to your neck that prompted the surgery? If you had a cord or root injury, some or all of your symptoms could be explained. The screws that fix the vertebra together are probably too long but it is hard to understand by the description if these screws are causing any additional problem.

If there was a trauma that caused the surgery, there might be other unrecognized injuries or injuries that were left to heal without surgery. Rotational problems could be from facet injury at C1-2 or below.

Grip strength develops from C8 and occasionally from C6 nerve problems. There is not enough information to implicate these nerves as the injured level at C6-7 would involve the C7 nerve.

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.

[suraj14]

#21527

Hello, Doctor. Heartly thanks for your response.

I fell from the small cliff while walking around. After injury, I had a cronic pain in neck and right shoulder blade as well and little numbnes in right index finger. After taking an X-Ray, doctor said surgery is needed with plate and screwand I agreed with him for the surgery.surgery took 2 and half hour and after that i was in ICU for one night shifted in the ward where i stayed for two days with hard collar. They took the X-Ray again and said that the surgery went good. Then i was discharged from the hospital, with a soft collar on my neck. They told me to come back after 2 weeks again to remove the stiches and i asked about screw which crossed vertebrae then my sergeon said it won’t cause any problem and told me to come back after 6 weeks again and i did. X-Ray was then again taken and told me to remove the collar while sitting and to move my neck as gently as i can. I told him about neck swelling and he said it will gradually decrease and told me to come back after 2 weeks again and i did. He said to have MRI and said it was all good in MRI.

Here are the information:

Technique:
Multiplanner MR imaging performed in 3.0T MR platform with acquisition of images in following sequences and planes: T-1 and T-2 weighted Axial T-1 and T-2 weighted Sagittal

Fat Suppressed IR Sagittal

Findings:

• Note is made of C6-C7 subluxation (post fusion and fixation).
• Spinal fixation screws in situ. Artefacts noted posteriory due to the metallic implants. The screws are causing mild effacement of the CSF space posteriory and mild intentation on the spinal cord at C6 and T1 levels.
• Loss of cervical lordosis.
• Posteriory disc osteophytes complex noted at C4-5 and C5-6 levels. There is mild narrowing of right exit foramen at C5-6 level.
• Rest of the IV discs are normal in height, morphology and signal characteristics.
• The paravertebral soft tissues appear normal. The cranio-cervical junction appears normal.

Impression: Follow up case of C6-7 Subluxation (post fusion and fixation)
• Spinal fixation screws in situ. Artefacts noted posteriory due to the metallic implants. The screws are causing mild effacement of the CSF space posteriory and mild intentation on the spinal cord at C6 and T1 levels.
• Posteriory disc osteophytes complex noted at C4-5 and C5-6 levels. There is mild narrowing of right exit foramen at C5-6 level.
• Loss of cervical lordosis.

In the last week follow up he said i am ok and no need to come and said no heavy activities like exercising, jumping etc for 7 months. Now it has been 2 and half months, i think my neck swelling has increased a bit. I have tingling sensation both of my legs and right arm but not sure of cause of it. I heard anxiety also causes tingling sansation and i am axinous some time. Some time i feel fever with cold hands with sweat but when i measure fever it is normal. I can move my neck to the left side easily but it’s hard to move it to the right side. I can see upward but feels a bit dizziness to look down. Sometime i feel pain underneath my left ear.

Should i consult to another neuro surgeon or wait? If i wait when should i go to the doctor? Thank you for giving your time for this and sorry again for my bad english.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#21529

Your symptoms could be from the levels above the surgery, could be from incomplete decompression of the C6-7 level, could be from the original subluxation injury if the nerve or cord was injured or even from some injury at another level that has not been recognized. You might also not have a solid fusion. I do think another set of eyes on your images with a thorough physical examination would be helpful.

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.

[suraj14]

#21535

Thank you doctor for your helpful suggestion suggestion

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#21537

Please keep us informed.

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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