[Candi]

#6159

I had a cervical fusion 8 months ago and I recently have been experincing more pain, numbness, and balance issues. I just had another MRI done and it shows that the disc just above the fusion is herniated and the one above that I also have a very bright white spot in the center of my spinal cord at the location of the herniated disc. And through more than half of my cervical region there is no spinal fluid showing around the spinal cord it is just the disc pushed up against the cord. To be honest this mri looks worse than the first one I had done before my surgery should I look into getting another surgery done or is it pointless.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#6225

A bright white spot on your spinal cord is of concern. This generally means that you have had an injury to the cord from the herniation. This needs surgical treatment in my opinion.

By your description, you have congenital stenosis of the cervical canal. This means you were born with a narrowed canal and any disc bulge, herniation or bone spur can then compress the cord and cause injury.

In your particular case, you might need a laminectomy or laminoplasty along with a fusion of the herniation level or possible artificial disc replacement. You need to see a spine surgeon very soon and get an opinion.

Dr. Corenman

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