[mom4kids4cats]

#11529

Hello,

I have posted a few times before. I have had three c-spine surgeries: two ACDF’s from C-3 to C-6 and one posterior laminectomy at C-6. I believe (since none of my Dr.’s will confirm this) that my initial C-5 to C-6 fusion caused my permanent cervical radiculopathy because the surgeon failed to remove the arthritic bone that covered the nerve exiting that area which stretched the nerve. I had excruciating pain in my right arm after my first surgery and had to have the laminectomy two months later. This was over 11 years ago. Since that time I had the third ACDF from C-3 to C-5 with constant pain and continued weakness in the right arm. No one would tell me why. After injections, meds, PT, trigger point therapy,I finally got an MRI on my upper arm. It revealed a complete full thickness tear of the rotator cuff along with a partial tear, a cyst, and tendonosis (not ‘itis’). I had an EMG which revealed permanent chronic cervical radiculopathy at C7/8. At this point, I have progressing weakness, pain, tingling, and now shakiness in the right arm and hand. I am beginning to have symptoms on the left including tingling and pain with some weakness. I have serious stabbing pain in the left shoulder blade that goes right through me to the front armpit area. My last MRI didn’t show any new surgical issues but I do have more arthritis at C-7. My question is this: can radiculopathy spread to the other side and is there any way that these nerves can be repaired? At 48, I need to keep working at my part-time job (which is all I can handle right now). I can’t afford to be on disability and cannot take pain meds due to side effects. Would an implanted nerve stimulator help the weakness or is it too late in the game??

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#11543

Your report is confusing. EMG tests can be accurate to determine what nerve is involved. There are limitations to this test-see EMG/NCV testing on this website. Nonetheless, your EMG report noted injury to the C7/8 nerves and your original surgery where you report less than adequate decompression was at C5-6. This would be the C6 nerve so something does not make sense.

A good physical examination will reveal which muscles are weak, which dermatomes (sensation zones) are affected and which reflexes are involved. Using your history along with this examination and a review of your tests and images should lead to a good diagnosis.

Radiculopathy should not “spread to the other side” (with some rare exceptions) unless there is concomitant compression of the nerve root on the other side (which is not unusual).

An implanted nerve stimulator will not affect weakness, only pain.

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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