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  • deDrayton
    Member
    Post count: 3

    Dear Dr. Corenman,
    I need your advise. In 1997 I suffered a whiplash injury and had neck fusion at the C5-C6 level in 1999. My left hand started shaking about four months ago with some left side weakness and shaking. I had an MRI ten days ago and it shows 3 mild posterior osteophytes and mild left sided neural foraminal narrowing due to facet hypertrophy. At C1-C2 there is osteoarthritis at atlanodontoidarticulation with loss of joint space and sclerosis. I began having shooting burning pain in to my left shoulder and my pressure which is always normal, 120 over 80 went to 150 over 95. I went to the ER twice. I am on muscle relaxants, Prednisone and pain medicine. The dept. of Neurosurgery hasn’t gotten back to me with an appointment. Last Saturday the left side of my neck and left shoulder went numb. I am worried about waiting around and subsequent nerve damage. I want to be able to go back to work. I really appreciate your help. Yours.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Hand shaking (rhythmic contractions) typically are not related to disorders of the cervical spine. Nerve compression will not cause them and cord injury also will not cause shaking (generally).

    Mild left sided weakness can originate from the spine along with other sources. Weakness along with burning of the shoulder could signal a nerve compression syndrome (herniated disc or foraminal stenosis from bone spurs).

    Blood pressure control is not related to neck problems but if the pain is significant, this pain can increase your blood pressure.

    Unless your symptoms are severe or intolerable, you probably have no rush for an appointment. I would however call the Neurosurgical Dept.so you do not get lost in the shuffle.

    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.
    deDrayton
    Member
    Post count: 3

    Thank you Dr. Corenman,
    My level of pain has gone down and my blood pressure has gone to normal. I am quite certain I have nerve compression syndrome from some foraminal stenosis from bone spurs. Neurosurgery looked at my MRI without examining me and wants me to go to the Physical Medicine Dept. for injections. That is where I am now. I could have inherited a shaking hand. My mother had it or it may be something else. I will keep trying.
    I really appreciate your advice. Thank you very very much! Yours.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    The Physical Medicine Dept. I would hope performed a thorough physical examination. As long as there is no substantial motor weakness (which would be revealed by a physical examination), your treatment pathway looks good. Injections would be the next step in my practice.

    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.
    deDrayton
    Member
    Post count: 3

    Dear Dr. Corenman,
    I need your advise again. Last week I saw a PA in Orthopedics and he wants me to have a brain mri because of the shaking of my left hand. I am happy to have any test. Monday I have a steroid epidural in my neck.
    On Thanksgiving morning when I woke up my arms and legs were like lead. I thought. “On no I will have to go to the er”. I put ice on my neck and the strength came back. My left leg is a little weak when walking.
    I have radiculopathy from my neck to my arm and hand(left).
    My neck mri says c1-c2, osteoarthritis at atlantoodontoid articulation with loss of joint space and sclerosis, c4-c4 mild posterior disc osteophyte complex,c4-c5 mild posterior disc osteophyte complexand mild left-sided neural foraminal narrowing due to uncovertebral joint and facet hypertrophy, c5-c6 is fused(from a whiplash injury in 1997).
    I have a feeling that conservative measures are not going to work. If so, the surgery from behind, posterior foraminotomy, do you think it would help(separate from something or nothing that could be of concern in my brain)? I am trying to get better so I can go back to work.
    Thank you so very very much.

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