Numb Hands

Tagged: bilateral tingling arms (paresthesias)

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derekc
Participant

July 16, 2016 at 12:58 pm

Post count: 6

#22597

Hello Dr. Corenman,

About 4 weeks ago I started to experience pins and needles in my palms, inner fingers, and joints, radial pain in my shoulder blades. I’ve had 4 cervical fusions C3-C7 (I think these are the correct vertebrae, could be wrong on the sites, not the number of fusions). Two lower fusions were done in 1999 using ilium bone grafts, upper fusions done in 2013 used composite with titanium plates. After both operations I experienced good relief; I considered them 100% successful. I am keenly interested in the options going forward as I assume this is more of the same issue. Right now I have begun the slog of going through my PCP who will have to send me on to my neurosurgeon, Dr. Massoudi in OC (I assume surgery is the only option as prednisone has had no effect). Any guidance or insight or comment from a neutral observer would be a comfort to me. And thank you for running this discussion board. I know time is in short supply for surgeons, so good on you for doing this.

derek

Donald Corenman, MD, DC
Moderator

July 17, 2016 at 7:15 am

Post count: 8660

#22598

What actions cause the symptoms to intensify and abate?

With a fusion at C3-C7, the first thought is a breakdown of C7-T1 with involvement of the C8 nerve (see https://neckandback.com/conditions/symptoms-of-cervical-nerve-injuries/ to understand how the C8 nerve presents with symptoms).

The next possible symptom generator is a pseudoarthrosis of one of the upper levels (lack of fusion). The third thought is upper extremity nerve entrapment syndrome (https://neckandback.com/conditions/nerve-entrapment-compression/) and finally a peripheral neuropathy (https://neckandback.com/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy-neck/-would be unusual).

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.

derekc
Participant

July 17, 2016 at 3:13 pm

Post count: 6

#22617

Thank you for the speedy response; it would seem the C8 nerve symptoms are the closest fit. It hurts to extend and splay my fingers. My hands are in a constant state of being 1/2 closed around an invisible/non-existent cylinder. Also there is radiating pain up my inner arm into the tops of my forearms and under my biceps beginning at the inside of the elbows.

Relief comes from laying flat on my back and assuming my best Marine Corps board straight posture with shoulders back and a sucked-in stomach, flat abdomen. Slouching forward at my computer screen with my shoulders rolled forward aggravates the condition. I am a webmaster and spend a lot of time at my desk; it seems I’ve brought this on through sloppiness in my work posture (I’ve just been happy and unconcerned about my neck for a few years). Looking back over the last 18 months I realize that I’ve been experiencing the curled 1/2 grip hands and thought it was stiffness and age, I’m 54. I’d stretch them and then the sensation would pass.

When I last saw my neurosurgeon he said “until next time” and I assume C7-T1 is likely next?

BTW: thank you so much; very awesome you do this.

Donald Corenman, MD, DC
Moderator

July 17, 2016 at 7:14 pm

Post count: 8660

#22618

You probably have breakdown at C7-T1 based upon your complaints. Next step is X-rays (looking for a degenerative spondylolisthesis-see website) and cervical foraminal stenosis (again-website). After a physical examination that would implicate the C8 nerve, a new MRI. Finally a cervical selective nerve root block (website) to confirm (and possibly treat this disorder) and then possibly a surgery (ACDF at this level with a two level fusion above). You have TMBS as many of us do (TMBD=too many birthday syndrome-I’m being facetious).

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.

derekc
Participant

July 18, 2016 at 10:25 am

Post count: 6

#22629

Thanks for the good humor and links. After reading the linked content closely and carefully cataloging my symptoms it seems the worst of it is the C7 nerve. My index and middle fingers are far more impacted than the ring and pinky fingers. It was kind of a trip to learn about nerves 7 & 8 this way.

I had one question about the surgical options and that was fusion versus replacement. Some of the articulated prosthesis devices look attractive. Is it just fantasy on my part to think beyond “fixing” to restoring some kind of earlier healthier state?

Donald Corenman, MD, DC
Moderator

July 19, 2016 at 9:11 am

Post count: 8660

#22632

The ADRs (artificial disc replacements) in the cervical spine have a role but in only certain circumstances. They do have some downsides.

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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Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Average rating:

81 reviews

Eric S

Sep 26, 2021

by Eric S on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Successful pars repair at 46 years old

Back in November of 2018 (at 46 years old) I came from Vancouver BC to have a pars repair done with Dr. Donald Corenman at the Steadman Clinic in Vail Colorado. I'm finally posting this review nearly three years later in late 2021. The reason I waited so long was I wanted to know the final result before I posted my review. Unfortunately in that time Dr. Corenman has retired. Nevertheless, I want to post this review of Dr. Corenman and his staff at the Steadman Clinic in their excellent treatment of my L5 pars interarticularis.

I fractured my pars at age 42 back in 2014 when rolling on the gym floor, and was denied treatment by the Canadian healthcare system, probably due to my age. First my GP told me there was no surgical option for a pars defect, which was quite incorrect! I tried to live with it, but the symptoms worsened (periodic random spine slippage and weeks of resultant pain after just bending over to tie my shoe, so I eventually learned to mostly squat and hardly bend). When I finally consulted with Canadian spine surgeons, I was told they believed my pars defect had been congenital (since birth). This was absurd, considering I had done extreme martial arts (including jiu jitsu) for years prior, as well as 5 years of reinforcing steel full time in my 20s, probably the hardest job on the back you can find. No pars defect like mine would possibly have allowed this--ergo it was impossible that I had had the defect since birth. I did however have an asymptomatic congenital spina bifida occulta that made me more susceptible to a pars fracture. In 2014 in one instant, I went from having the strongest back people I knew said they'd ever seen, to being unable to safely bend over and tie my shoe without a non-negligible risk of my spine slipping randomly (which would lead to weeks of pain after each occurrence). This was due to the unilateral L5 pars defect, otherwise known as spondylolysis. It was when lying in pain on the floor 4 years later after maybe the 6th spine slippage event post injury, that I had had enough, and resolved to have surgery. If Canada's "universal health care" said no, I would make lemonade from lemons, and find the very best surgeon in the world at pars repairs. That was Dr. Donald Corenman. Dr. Corenman back in 2018 ran a website https://neckandback.com/ that dedicated many pages to the science of every aspect of pars repairs, from eligibility (good discs on MRI), to best surgical techniques (minimal open compared to minimally invasive), best imaging to use (i.e., O-Arm with Stealth imaging vs. older fluoroscopy), the ideal amount of BMP to use and why not use too much or too little, and much more, all to do with pars repairs, pages upon pages of his site just on the pars, with scientific references and his own extensive expert opinion. As a health research statistician, I was very impressed with this. It was in stark contrast to the websites of other spine surgeons which barely gave the pars a word or two, focusing almost exclusively on fusions. I had found the best surgeon in the world for pars repairs, and so after Dr. Corenman personally screened my MRI to ensure my discs were healthy, I booked the surgery.

Being 46 years old at the time of surgery in 2018, with a 4-year-old pars fracture from 2014 combined with a congenital SBO meant my pars fragment was somewhat atrophied, but it was "very solid", said Dr. Corenman in the operative report. Nevertheless, it was challenging with two things to fix, the pars and SBO, and OR time was around 4 hours. Recovery over the following months was guided by a very clear "Spine binder" from the Steadman Clinic with strict rules of "no BLT" (no bending, lifting or twisting), and illustrated physiotherapy guidelines. They even warned patients to avoid fish oil supplements, which could excessively dampen inflammation and hence slow bone healing. They answered many questions I had during months of recovery, with responses coming from the very supportive Lori Fugate (then director of Dr. Corenman's practice), and Ehrich Bean (then physician's assistant at the practice), as well as a couple calls with Dr. Corenman himself after two of the CT scans. Ehrich Bean offered great advice for taking the spine binder conservatively due to the nature of pars repairs vs. fusions. The final post-op CT scan I had was a couple weeks ago at 34 months post-op, and Dr. Corenman had retired, but I got a very positive and informative call from Eric Strauch (current PA at the Steadman Clinic under Dr. Corenman's replacement there, and who had also worked with Dr. Corenman previously). The staff at the Steadman Clinic were extremely supportive all the way through the process. I should mention, the local Canadian spine surgeon did offer me very good post-operative support including antibiotics as needed to deal with a mild surface incision-site infection early on, booking numerous x-rays when I felt something was amiss, as well as booking all four of my post-op CT scans. I am very grateful for that support also.

My final result shows plenty of solid bone across the pars and a healed SBO, with my vertebral body now a solid bone ring instead of being broken at two places as it was pre-op. Does my spine hold up in the real world? You bet! I have recently dug and moved several yards of dirt and sand and gravel by myself (shovel and wheelbarrow!) to fix our water main, pulled roots from the yard, moved several "portable" (these are HUGE) air conditioners up several flights of stairs my myself, and lifted weights. I now run 2 miles (3.2 KM) several times weekly with a hard 100 meter dash in the middle. I bend deeply before each run I go on, with no spine slippage. My spine feels amazing. I can bend over to do exercise, or real word tasks, with no risk of spine slippage.

My sincere thanks to God, Dr. Donald Corenman, Lori Fugate, Ehrich Bean, Eric Strauch, and the Steadman Clinic, as well as the Canadian spine surgeon who offered me excellent post-operative care back in Canada. You have all given me a new lease on life.

Sincerely,
Eric S

Robert S

May 11, 2021

by Robert S on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

Back Fusion Surgery

I had my entire lumbar spine fused in November of 2018. I had scoliosis , with pinched nerves that were so painful I could hardly walk - and standing for more than a few minutes was impossible. Even sitting was painful.
The fusion surgery produced immediate relief! And the recovery was much easier than I expected.
To this day I can do all the activities I love from hiking, to standing in a stream fly fishing to riding my bike long distances - or just walking down the street with my wife.
Kudos to Dr. Corenman and his staff, (including the two Erics) for taking such good care of me!

Leslie R

Jul 9, 2020

by Leslie R on Donald Corenman, MD, DC

TLIF

I had my TLIF surgery on 6/24/2020 by Dr. Corenman, I can not say enough good things about the Dr or his staff. I was always treated with respect and explained everything throughly, that made it easy for everyone to understand. I highly recommend Dr. Corenman and the Steadman Clinic.

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