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  • klc2831
    Participant
    Post count: 9

    Hi Dr. my history – 24 year old female- rear ended sept 2015. No previous health issues before wreck. I am posting about my new MRI results. In June 2016 I had ACDF C4-5 and 5-6 to release pressure off my cord. I could barely walk by the time of surgery. I have damage done at those two levels cord damage anterior).

    I have new problems and pain now not surprising. I have problems with my balance and my walking has declined again, pain in both legs and arms , numbness hands and feet. I got my MRI results from last week. I told them I have severe weakness in the shoulders, right across at the bottom of my neck.

    c2-3 moderate narrowing anterior of 1/5 of the disc space.
    C3-4 moderate narrowing anterior 1/3 of disc space. There is spurring along the posterior superior aspect of the c4 body. The ventral aspect of CSF space is partially effaced but no overt canalicer stenosis.
    C4-5 and 5-6 previous anterior discestomy and fusion. Spinal canal patent at both levels
    C6-7 mild spurring along posterior margin of disc space. The spinal canal is not signicantlu comprismised
    C7-t1- there is moderate narrowing along posterior 1/5 of disc space.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    There is no evidence of cord compression from the current MRI. Your current symptoms could be from the prior injury and continued symptoms due to cord injury. You don’t note symptom differential (neck pain vs arm pain and symptoms of myelopathy) so I can’t easily state what could be causing your current symptoms. Do you have a solid fusion or do you possibly have a non-union?

    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.
    klc2831
    Participant
    Post count: 9

    Thanks for taking the time to reply Dr, I just got your reply now. I saw my neurologist he says he can’t account for new problems of pain in the neck, but it’s not shooting pain, it’s more of weakness and my arms feel heavy for my shoulders like they are being tugged on – which gives me a headache everyday. I went to the urgent care two weeks ago because I thought I was becoming short of breath and felt like I have having a heart attack. (At 24, I feel this way) I was checked out and said everything’s fine. Neuro doesn’t understand why my balance is becoming off again or I’m losing temperature sensation since my fusion looks good. He recommended fibromyalgia medicine and he said I should try working out again, I am supposed to start tomorrow but again my balance is off I don’t see how I could exercise. I posted a pic of my fusion for you to see, I think it has fused. Possibly brain MRI in the future is on the table.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    MRI is not very helpful to determine fusion status. That is in the realm of the CT scan. However, you do now have a retrolisthesis of C3-4. There is a condition called “cervical angina” in which the C4 nerve (which exits between C3-C4) is compressed and radiates pain and numbness into the chest wall. It is possible that you have a C4 radiculopathy. This condition will not cause disequilibrium (imbalance).

    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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