[tres]

#10614

Hello dr,in july 2013 diagnosed left ulnar/median neuropathy extreme pain from left side neck to outer deltoid more when trying to use arm.Also shooting pain across elbow.My last visit with my neurosurgeon feb/2014 recommended cervical trigger point inj.Do you think this will help me, my cervical c/6 c/7 fusion was in feb 2012? I went for a reg checkup with my primary dr,i told him of a pain i have on my r/upper quadrant pain when twisting or slight bending and pressing on top rib on r/side 4inches just below nipple, he said it is related to my spinal problems.Can you please explain how this could be realated,he did blood work all negative?Should i see my surgeon about this cervical angina? Also a year and half ago was diagnosed cervical mylopathy!

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#10615

Let’s rewind back to the ACDF at C6-7. What was that surgery performed for? What were the results of that surgery? Are your symptoms now different than prior to surgery, the same or similar but more intense?

Pain in the anterior chest (above the nipple) can refer from the C4 nerve root (C3-4 level). This is called “cervical angina” as it mimics the chest pain from a heart attack but originates from a pinched nerve in the neck.

Have you had an EMG/NCV test to determine if you have cubital tunnel syndrome (see website)?

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.

[tres]

#10616

Hi dr,the surgery was performed for c6-7 annular bulge causing bilateral neural foraminal narrowing.Symptoms simmilar but more intense with headace.Results were poor.Looking thru my first mri 9/09 1 yr post injury findings are also annular bulge c3-4 causing mild proximal equivalent neural foraminal narrowing.The pain is 4inch below the nipple.Nothig has been done at the c3-4 level.Yes emg was on 9/12 findings were bilateral carpal tunnel sydrome left ulnar neuropathy post lumbar fusion as i stated before my surgeon said it was due to being on the left side during entire surgery with out being moved.what does this mean (while his pain are it is symptoms that is most disabling)?

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#10623

If chest pain is below the nipple, this would not be C4 radiculopathy. There would be a better chance that this pain could be from thoracic nerve compression or a local disorder (Tietze’s syndrome or costrocondritis).

If your arm pain developed from positioning due to a prior surgery this would be a compressive neuropathy. See cubital tunnel syndrome to understand this disorder.

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.

[tres]

#10633

Hi dr, on my last mri 9/13 also showed t7/8 herniation i get a deep stabbing in center of back this occurs at any time of day will jerk my body when it hits very painful,After the back/neck injury on 9/09 the only mri findings were l3/4 c6/7/4 how can i have more discs herniated after surgery as i posted before most recent mri 9/14 thoracic t7/8 lumbar l5/s1 i always followed my surgeons advice how could these herniations just happen?

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#10647

Disc herniations are not normally associated with trauma or even heavy lifting. Professional ball players don’t typically get herniations on the field but do herniate with a simple lift or bend while at home.

Unfortunately, genetics plays the greatest role in my opinion. I have seen patients who undergo a simple microdisectomy at L5-S1 only to get a new herniation above this level in a couple of weeks after surgery. New herniations do occur only with a previously degenerative disc. It is highly unusual to develop a new herniation in a pristine disc.

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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