Viewing 5 posts - 7 through 11 (of 11 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Rotation and extension of the neck will load the facets in the back of the neck. It is common to hear a “crack” in many individuals as the facets are in a vacuum and will release that vacuum on occasion resulting in a “crack” This is the same sound heard when you “crack” your knuckles. This should be “painless”

    Cracks associated with pain are another story. Instability can occur (the abnormal motion of one vertebra on another) which can lead to pain with the unstable motion. Couple that with the sensation of “a zap going through my back” and “my body gives a decent convulsion that is very brief” concerns me about cord compression. Heaviness in the legs could also go along with cord compression leading to myelopathy (see website).

    A thorough physical examination will help to reveal if you have the beginnings of myelopathy. You should also ask for an MRI of your cervical spine.

    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.
    awritersmind
    Member
    Post count: 6

    Thank you!

    Yesterday at my therapy evaluation my knee jerk was hyperreflexic. So it’s definitely progressing. I normally only have a tiny movement with that one, and this time it kicked out to a little less than completely straight. Left side was more hyper but that side is also more affected in strength tests.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Hyperreflexia is only one of the findings on a myelopathy examination but with this sign present, it reenforces the need for an MRI of the cervical spine.

    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.
    awritersmind
    Member
    Post count: 6

    I have a chiropractor who’s worked with us for years who is going to try and get me set up for one since no one else will take responsibility for my case.

    I believe I’ve read all the info on myelopathy. However, I don’t see any mention of shortness of breath and rapid heart rate? (I might have missed it.) It’s happening more and more this past week that when I am up and around I get winded, feel light headed, and my heart rate jumps up. I have an oxygen meter from keeping tabs on my sleep apnea, and it was at 97% and my heart rate was 130 when I finally went and checked today. It’s been sporadic, but all day today I’ve been stuck sitting around because it won’t let up. In the past 10 years I’ve had trouble with low blood pressure and it will also drop 25 points at times, so I’m hoping it’s just that… It’s getting harder to move my neck, and more and more I’m getting that zapping.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Myelopathy doesn’t have association with rapid heart rate or shortness of breath. These symptoms could be associated with many disorders but a pulmonary embolism is one that needs to be diagnosed quickly and can have severe consequences if not treated. Call your primary care doctor to make sure he or she knows your complaints and can treat them appropriately.

    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 5 posts - 7 through 11 (of 11 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.