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  • drayhazel
    Member
    Post count: 2

    Dr. Corenman, I was hit by a 40ft.tree square on the head, I was wearing a helmet, I instantly felt an excruciating pain at the base of my neck as I was knocked to the ground. This was in Feb.2012 I had surgery in June 2012 C-7/ T-1 disc removal and fusion with hard ware. Since the surgery the pain in my neck, with burning and pins and needles, pain in my arm and right hand, fingers are tight with pain and I am losing ability of graspimg things because of the pain in my fingers is getting worse. When I move my head and pick my right arm up to shave my head I get a stabbing pain beneath my shoulder blade, pain in my arm and shoulder and pain in my fingers, it gets hard to hold onto the razor. Sitting here typing this my neck is burning and my fingers in my right hand are getting tight, I can’t make a fist…I had a MRI with contrast in Nov. 2012 and the doc said there was some blockage or interferience on the left side…..I think I have nerve damage, do you think a CT Myloegram would be a wise choice or does the MRI with contrast give the same results…..I am 53, I have gone from doing 100 pushups a day and benching 300lbs. to not even being able to cook a big meal, or doing dishes without having to go sit for the rest of the day and take pain meds……..Any advise you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank You

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8660

    At this point there are a number of differentials. Is there a problem with the surgery or healing from the surgery? Is there some remaining nerve compression? Is there permanent damage of the cord or nerve roots? Is there another problem such as thoracic outlet syndrome?

    You have many unanswered questions that need to be addressed. An MRI with gadolinium and a CT scan without a myelogram would be a good start. A good diagnostician consultation is important.

    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.
    Tammysroses
    Member
    Post count: 5

    Dear Dr. Corenman,

    For 8 months I have had leg pain (both legs)stiffness,muscle twitching,the pain never goes away,..When sitting buttocks and lower back to top of thighs hurt.have a buzzing sensation in legs here and there..Been ruled out for ms had 2 brain MRI’s EMT,NCS.Blood work..The pain is so bad…I did have an Mri of lumbar but they do not seem so worried about this..that was 5 months ago…The MRI says…

    There is a T2 signal loss and narrowing involvingThe T11-12, L3-4 and l4-5 disc spaces reflecting desiccation and degeneration.

    L3-4 minimal broad based protrusion..grade 1 the facets are mildly degenerated.

    L4-5 there is minimal right lateral protrusions..grade 1.. the facets are slightly degenerated…

    And I have unilateral pars intrarticular defect on the right aspect of L5….

    Anyway symptoms are worse now since this was last done..Feet hurt alot too and there is some numbness…

    I have been looking for a doctor to help me out..I live in Colorado 3 hours from vail.. But willing to travel need help….

    What do you think of this?

    Tammy…

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8660

    Your pain symptoms have many potential structures that could cause these symptoms. There are some inconsistencies however regarding your MRI findings and your pain that question whether the pain originates from the lumbar spine.

    Unilateral disc protrusions should obviously not cause bilaterally equal pain which is what you note. A pars fracture on only one side without degenerative changes of that disc (L5-S1) is very unusual also. You note no lower back pain. Did I misunderstand that?

    A neurologist might be helpful and an EMG/NCV test might shed some light on the origin of the symptoms.

    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.
    drayhazel
    Member
    Post count: 2

    Dr. Corenman thanks for your reply…I have had a MRI with contrast and one doc said there was obstruction and another said there was nothing. Have had a CT scan after my surgery and was told everything was normal with good fusion…So, waht is causing the pain in my neck all the way down my arm into my hands. My fingers are tight, can’t make a fist and are very painful….Is there a nerve study or something that shows nerve or spinal cord damage?

    Thanks again

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