[kaparker65]

#28496

I have a messed up neck. Rear-ended 3 times with 3 severe whiplash injuries age 16, 30, 42. I have had 2 ACDF C6C7 in 2010 and 2013, both failures. I’ve been diagnosed with severe right radiculopathy C7-T1 symptoms, DDD, Facet Arthropathy, and severe cervical foraminal stenosis, and bulging and herniated discs. I am having ACDF C4C5 herniated disc with C5 nerve compression on June 14, 2018. Since February 22, 2018 I have been having the following symptoms when it rains, ice storms, cold weather changes, and barometric pressure changes. Short-term memory loss, redness and warmth to hands and feet changing to purple mottled color and very cold, numbness to extremities x 4, severe pain and stiffness in my neck, severe headache, numbness to nose and lips, jaw pain, sharp pain shooting into right ear, severe dyspnea, severe dysphagia, walking into walls, dropping objects, falling, SOB, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feel like I am going to drop to the ground, fatigue, severe fatigue to front of thighs and legs like I overworked them with weights. Basically I feel like my cervical spine is inflamed and it is squeezing the blood supply from the rest of my body and brain. When I flex my head forward when the weather is normal I get the same symptoms. the only relief I get is lying in bed on pillows with my head slightly hyperextended backwards against my headboard. I have not energy. I have been tested for everything. I am 52 and am healthy as a 20 year old. no plaque, heart problems, labs perfect. The neurologist and neurosurgeon say that it is anxiety and psychosomatic. How can it be if my husband, family, friends and physiatrist has seen the symptoms first hand. My husband says I have the same symptoms and act the same way his mother did when she had TIAs. I am afraid to have the surgery because I feel that the surgeon is not taking me seriously. Has anyone else had these symptoms?

Here is my Cervical MRI dated 04/05/2018

AVAILABLE CLINICAL INFORMATION: Worsening neck and back pain for two
months. Weakness and numbness in both arms and hands.
COMPARISON: MRI cervical spine 03/14/2018
TECHNIQUE: Multispin multiplanar imaging obtained through the
cervical spine without contrast.
FINDINGS: There are changes of previous ACDF at C6-C7, as before.
Again seen is reversal of the upper cervical curvature which has
worsened. No central canal stenosis is seen and there is no T2
signal abnormality within the cervical spinal cord. Craniocervical
junction appears normal. The cord is normal in caliber and signal
intensity. Prevertebral soft tissues are unremarkable. Cervical
degenerative change is as follows:
C2-C3: Right facet degeneration is present causing mild foraminal
narrowing. This appears slightly worsened.
C3-C4: Mild posterior disc bulging and right facet degeneration is
present, causing mild right greater than left foraminal narrowing.
There is a tiny disc protrusion centrally which causes slight ventral
cord surface molding. The left foraminal narrowing may have worsened
slightly.
C4-C5: Bilateral uncinate process spurring and post lateral disc
protrusions have worsened, and are associated with at least moderate
bilateral foraminal narrowing.
C5-C6: Mild posterior annular bulging is present along with a tiny
central disc protrusion. The annular bulging has worsened slightly.
Mild bilateral foraminal narrowing is suspected. Slight ventral cord
surface indentation is unchanged.
C6-C7: Satisfactory appearance of postoperative changes.
C7-T1: No significant abnormality.
IMPRESSION:
1. Slightly worsened degenerative disc and facet disease in the
cervical spine as discussed in detail above, associated with right
foraminal narrowing of mild severity at C2-C3, mild right greater
than left foraminal narrowing at C3-C4 and C5-C6, as well as at least
moderate bilateral foraminal narrowing at C4-C5 with possible
bilateral C5 impingement.

EXAMINATION
MRI cervical spine without contrast 04/08/2018
AVAILABLE CLINICAL INFORMATION
Bilateral upper extremity numbness tingling posterior headache.
Prior study from 04/05/2018. Flexion and extension images were
obtained in addition to routine MR protocol.
FINDINGS
There is reversal C-spine curvature centered at C4-C5 which is
stable. There is fusion anteriorly at C6-C7. No Chiari malformation
is seen. No abnormal cord signal identified.
C2-C3 shows no canal or foraminal narrowing
C3-C4 shows uncovertebral spurring and facet hypertrophy causing
moderate foraminal narrowing greater on the right.
C4-C5 shows broad-based left lateral/foraminal protrusion which
causes thecal sac but no definite cord effacement this causes
moderate to severe appearing left foraminal narrowing. Uncovertebral
spurring and facet hypertrophy cause moderate right foraminal
narrowing.
C5-6 shows disc bulge with central prominence this causes minimal
ventral cord effacement centrally.
C6-C7 shows no definite canal or foraminal narrowing
C7-T1 shows no definite canal or foraminal narrowing.
Flexion and extension views demonstrate no abnormal motion.
Incidental note made of disc bulges at T2-3 and T3-4 which appear to
cause slight ventral cord effacement.
IMPRESSION
1. No abnormal motion seen between flexion and extension views.
2. Fusion at C6-C7 with no motion at this level between flexion and
extension views.
3. Broad-based left lateral – proximal foraminal protrusion is seen
at C4-C5 this does not appear to cause cord effacement but does cause
moderate to severe appearing left foraminal narrowing. There is
moderate right foraminal narrowing due to uncovertebral spurring.
4. Mild to moderate degenerative changes also noted at C3-4, C5-6,
T2-3 and T3-4 as described

EXAMINATION: CT cervical spine 04/07/2018
AVAILABLE CLINICAL INFORMATION: Radiculopathy and cervical fusion
occurring two earlier. Reversal of the normal cervical lordosis.
TECHNIQUE: Thin-cut axial images obtained through the cervical spine
and supplemented with sagittal and coronal reformats. CT was
performed with individualized dose optimization technique (automated
exposure control).
FINDINGS: MRIs of the cervical spine dated 03/14/2018 and 01/04/2017.
Reversal of normal cervical lordosis. This was present on the MRI
dated 03/14/2018 and 01/14/2017. The vertebral body heights are well
maintained.
The C4-C5, uncovertebral hypertrophy and facet arthropathy results in
neural foraminal stenosis on the right.
At C6 – C7, an anterior plate with interbody spacer and graft
material is present. Sagittal and coronal images demonstrate no
convincing evidence of a bony fusion.
Disc space height loss is present C7-T1 with no convincing evidence
of foraminal stenosis. No acute fracture or traumatic malalignment
is seen. There is no osseous narrowing of the spinal canal.
IMPRESSION:
1. At C6-C7, an anterior plate with an interbody spacer in graft
internal is present. The coronal sagittal images demonstrate no
convincing evidence of a bony fusion.
2. At C4-C5, right-sided uncovertebral joint hypertrophy is facet
arthropathy resulting in neural foraminal stenosis.
3. Loss of normal cervical lordosis which has been present on
studies dating back to 01/04/2017.

AVAILABLE CLINICAL INFORMATION: Chronic neck pain and back pain.
Worsening in two months. Bilateral hand and arm weakness. Numbness.

EXAMINATION: MR Thoracic Spine without Contrast 04/07/2018
COMPARISON: None
FINDINGS: ACDF of C6-C7 with mild metallic artifact noted.
Straightening of the cervical curvature. Mild thoracic kyphosis.
No thoracic fracture or subluxation. No abnormal thoracic cord
signal.
T4-T5 minimal annular bulging with minimal central canal stenosis.
T5-T6 minimal left paracentral annular bulging with no significant
impingement. Remainder shows no disc protrusion or extrusion.
IMPRESSION: Minimal annular bulging at T4-T5 and T5-T6. No neural
impingement at these levels or on the remainder of the exam however.
No fracture. Normal cord signal.

EXAMINATION: MRI lumbar spine without contrast 04/07/2018
AVAILABLE CLINICAL INFORMATION: Chronic back pain with worsening for
the last two months. Weakness in both legs.
COMPARISON: MRI lumbar spine 06/14/2016
TECHNIQUE: Multispin, multiplanar imaging obtained through the
lumbar spine without contrast.
FINDINGS: Benign appearing hemangiomas at T12, L2, and L3 are
unchanged. Vertebral height, alignment and marrow signal intensity
is otherwise within normal limits. The conus medullaris and
paraspinous soft tissues are unremarkable. Lumbar degenerative
change is as follows:
L1-L2: No significant abnormality.
L2-L3: No significant abnormality.
L3-L4: No significant abnormality.
L4-L5: Disc dessication is again seen and there is a small
broad-based central disc protrusion which appears unchanged. The L5
nerve roots are slightly crowded bilaterally in the lateral recess,
but there is no evidence of impingement.
L5-S1: No significant abnormality.
IMPRESSION:
1. Small central disc protrusion at L4-L5 which crowds both L5 nerve
roots in the lateral recess. There is no evidence of impingement or
interval change.

AVAILABLE CLINICAL INFORMATION: Neck pain for two months. Anterior
cervical fusion at C6-C7.
EXAMINATION: Cervical Spine four view with Flexion and Exten sion
Views 04/07/2018
COMPARISON: 08/22/2013.
FINDINGS: Lateral, flexion upright lateral and extension of the
right lateral a followed by bilateral oblique views of the cervical
spine were performed.
AP at C6-C7, an anterior plate with interbody grafting and fusion is
present.
In the neutral upright position, reversal of normal cervical lordosis
is present. This is centered at C4-C5. In extension, normal
alignment is present. In flexion, the reversal of lordosis with mild
kyphotic deformity at C4-C5 is present.
The oblique views demonstrate osteophyte disease encroaching into the
C4-5 neural foramina.
CONCLUSION:
1. Reversal of normal cervical lordosis centered at C4-C5 most
pronounced in the neutral and flexion views. Normal cervical
lordosis in alignment is present and extension.
2. The oblique views demonstrate encroachment of osteophytes into
the foramina of C4-5.

EXAMINATION: MRI brain without contrast 04/05/2018
AVAILABLE CLINICAL INFORMATION: Numbness and weakness in both arms
and hands. Weakness in both legs.
COMPARISON: MRI brain 09/25/2012
TECHNIQUE: Standard whole brain imaging obtained without contrast.
FINDINGS: Ventricles and sulci and basilar cisterns appear normal.
There is no evidence of focal or acute infarct. There is no evidence
of demyelinating disease. No mass is present. No acute hemorrhage
or abnormal extra-axial fluid collection is seen. However, a small
focus of chronic appearing hemosiderin has developed in the left
cerebellum since 2012. Etiology is not known. Postcontrast imaging
may be considered to rule out an underlying vascular malformation.
However, a small hemorrhagic infarction or hypertensive hemorrhage
could appear similarly. Clinical correlation is recommended. Major
vessels appear patent. Paranasal sinuses and mastoids are clear.
IMPRESSION:
1. Development of a small focus of chronic appearing hemosiderin in
the left cerebellum since 2012. See above discussion and
recommendation.
2. No evidence of acute infarction, demyelinating disease, or other
significant abnormality.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#28500

You story has some questions that need to be answered. You note; ‘I’ve been diagnosed with severe right radiculopathy C7-T1 symptoms”, “I am having ACDF C4C5 herniated disc with C5 nerve compression on June 14, 2018’, I have had 2 ACDF C6C7 in 2010 and 2013, both failures”. “I’ve been diagnosed with severe right radiculopathy C7-T1 symptoms”

Did you eventually get a solid fusion of C6-7 or is there an existing pseudoarthrosis, and if so, is it painful? Why are you getting an ACDF at C4-5 without considering any other levels revision of C6-7? It is unusual to leave a degenerative level between two fusion levels even if one is a pseudoarthrosis. Why do you say you have Right radiculopathy C7-T1 when your MRI does not note any problems here (“Minimal annular bulging at T4-T5 and T5-T6. No neural impingement at these levels or on the remainder of the exam however”).

There symptoms are not specific to your neck and some are even not neck originating; (“numbness to nose and lips, jaw pain, sharp pain shooting into right ear, severe dyspnea, severe dysphagia, walking into walls, dropping objects, falling, SOB, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feel like I am going to drop to the ground, fatigue, redness and warmth to hands and feet changing to purple mottled color and very cold, numbness to extremities x 4”). Some sound like Reynaud’s syndrome and others metabolic disorders.

You need to have your surgeon explain what he is doing and why he is doing it.

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.

[kaparker65]

#28712

I had c4c5 and c5c6 ACDF for herniated disc cervical stenosis and osteophytes complex impinging left and right arms. The left arm has no symptoms any longer but I am still having pain, numbness all the way into my whole right hand mildly and the right ring and pinky finger is really giving me fits. I had a car accident in 2007. I had sever pain for 3 years until I started waking up paralyzed from the neck down. The neurosurgeon did not take my C6C7 mild herniated disc seriously until that time so in October 2010 he found a big herniated disc and a huge disc fragment lying across my C7 root. As soon as I woke from surgery my left arm did not hurt. The symptoms were gone. In 2013 I started having symptoms on my left arm again. The screws were loose at c6 so I had surgery again but this time I did not get relief, I suffered from a right paralyzed vocal cord that was diagnosed by my ENT 3 months later. I was in severe pain 3 months post op. The neurosurgeon stayed he did not put big enough screws in my neck so all we’re loose. He wanted to immediately go posteriorly and redo the surgery and I refused. I found me a physiatrist and got pain management and was able to go 5 years without surgery until I had a phone between my right ear and shoulder. I reached suddenly for something on my desk and twisted my neck. I feel and heard something pop in my neck. I also felt pain at the base of my skull that went over my head into my eyes. I saw spots. I really do not remember how long I sat there before I was able to deal with the most God awful headache I had ever experienced in my life. I thought that I had broke a screw. There was a hump where my neck and shoulders meet. I could touch it and it sent pain into my toes and made me dizzy. My whole right arm was hurting and feeling numb. I worked 6 more hours, went home and took Percocet and Robaxin and went to bed. When I woke the next morning I was dizzy, nauseated, and my whole right side including my right foot was weak I was slurring my words, I could not swollen, and felt like my whole world was uneven. My head felt like a bobble head like my neck was broken. I called my physiatrist who ordered a MRI. Nothing serious was noticed so I was sent to an orthopedist who diagnosed me with right thoracic outlet syndrome. He examined me and set me up for surgery. Wishing the next week I got very weak, my thighs felt like I had worked out to much, my left arm and hand was now beginning to hurt and get numb in my left ring and pinky fingers, I was waking into walls, I was falling, and my hands and feet were turning purple. Especially when the barometric pressure changed. It sounds crazy I know. My husband said I was acting like his mother did when she had her stroke. I could only stay in the bed. When I got up I had to pick up my head first it was so unstable feeling. It was tender to touch, I got hoarse and lost my voice for a month, I was aspirating on food not liquids and I felt like I was going to hit the floor when I got up. I went back to the orthopedist and showed him my symptoms and he said it was not TOS. By that time I was in so much pain my family doctor told me to go to the er. The ER doc put me in the hospital because my BP was 150-115, I had clonus to bilaterally lower extremities and could not stand up or walk. They did a brain scan that said I had hemosiderinbin my left cerebellum but not to work about it. Over the course of 4 days I had multiple MRIs CRT and cervical X-rays. The neurologist that saw me said my symptoms suggested bilateral radiculopathy and myopathy but he was confused on some of the other symptoms I was also having. The NERVE conduction tests said I had axon issues in my elbows and the neurosurgeon wanted to operate on both elbows. They said I had anxiety and to follow up with neurologist in 2 weeks. I did and it took a month to see him and another month to see my neurosurgeon that did my last surgery. I was discharged. The neurologist that I followed up with did NErve nerve conduction tests again and all it showed was left carpel tunnel. The hemisiderin was gone and my MRA was normal. When my neurosurgeon went in to do my surgery he told my husband that he also removed the old hardware at C6C7 and put my vertebrae back into place because it was twisted. I no longer have the hump in the back of my neck and I no longer have the feeling that my neck is broken.

I still have right sided weakness arm and leg. I cannot write, type, and I drop things. The problems with the left side of my body is gone. Last week when a storm came and the barometric pressure changes I got real nauseous, my balance was off, I got real weak, dizzy, could not swallow, and slurred my words. It felt like something was squeezing my brain. I stay hot and sweat profusely too. My neck felt inflamed. It lasted about 36 hrs and went away. Not nearly what it was before my surgery. Could I be having TIAs or had a stroke? My husband still says I act just like his mom after her stroke and when she had TIAs. I went back to my neurosurgeon a couple of days ago because now I am having severe pain to the top of my right foot lasting 30-45 minutes. Feels like a hot iron is laying on my foot. The neurologist has ordered another MRI with and without contrast. All my labwork is normal and I am as healthy as a 20 year old.

[kaparker65]

#28713

Forgot to add that I had surgery on June 14, 2018.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#28714

Your history is disjointed. What order did you have the fusions? The C-7 fusion how many times and what dates? The C4-6 when and how did you do? You have had opinions of thoracic outlet syndrome with scheduled surgery that was cancelled? When was the proposed ulnar nerve surgeries in the elbow and why was it cancelled? When was the neurological consultation? Just a simple list of dates, what procedure was proposed or completed and what was the affect of the individual surgeries.

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.

[kaparker65]

#28719

1. 2010 C6C7 ACDF 2010 herniated disc and fragmented t found lying across c7. Left arm pain and numbness and severe neck pain. Surgery corrected left arm symptoms but continued to have chronic neck pain periodically. Fusion failed. Doctor refused to surgically correct stating it did not appear to be urgent.

2. 2013 C6C7 ACDF C6 screw loose impinging nerve left arm for 2nd time. Severe pain in neck and arm. Went to new neurosurgeon. He removed old hardware and placed new hardware. Operative report states that it had not fused no bone at all. He states that he would have done c4c5 but c5c6 was healthy and since I was having no symptoms from the c4c5, he would not touch it for now. After the surgery I could not get any pain relief in my neck and shoulders. I had numbness and tingling and pain now my right arm and the base of my neck. Nothing like the first surgery. I got upper respiratory symptoms and had laryngitis. All I did was cough my head off for 3 months. I had laryngitis. Neurosurgeon sent me to pulmonologist. Nothing helped. At 3 months post op, X-rays revealed that fusion had not taken place and all screws were very loose. My neck felt like it was broken. He stated that he wanted to go in posteriorly and fuse c4c5 and C6C7. I refused. I am a nurse manager and had already been off my job for 3 months. I had to go back to work. I was also afraid that I would not be able to stand any more at that time. I got a referral to a physiatrist and he provided holistic and pain meds. I learned how to live with a chronic 6-8 pain rating. My right arm was still numb especially into my shoulder, back of arm, into my ring and pinky finger. I also went to gym and worked to stabilize my muscles. I continued to have laryngitis and coughing fits. I went to my ENT who diagnosed me with right vocal cord paralysis. It stayed paralyzed until 6 months post op.

3. In 2015 I worked part time with a cervical spinal surgeon. He agreed to send me monitor my cervical spine with fu MRIs and X-rays yearly until this year. Hardware stayed intact but never fused. It did however stabilize anteriorly calling it a false joint??

4. In 2015 my right arm continued to give me fits sporadically especially when it rained. I specially my neck near my shoulders. Ibuprofen only thing that works. The spinal surgeon referred me to a Thoracic outlet specialist. He stated that it was probable that I had developed TOS but I wanted to continue to manage without surgery since it was not urgent.

4. In April 2017, I was getting lots stronger and the pain was better. My physiatrist has started decreasing the number of percocets from 180 a month in 2013 to 90 in 2017. Robaxin was decreased from 150 in 2013 to 90 in 2017. I was only taking them when the barometric pressure changed, it rained, or cold and wet. I live in Alabama so it can be quite humid and lots of wacky weather changes weekly.

5. In February 2018 I severely twisted my neck to the right and hyperflexed to reach suddenly for something on my desk while holding the phone between my ear and shoulder handsfree. I felt and heard a loud pop at the base of my neck and felt a severe pain into my thoracic area, my right shoulder, arm, and into my hand. The pain also originated at the occipital region of my skull and radiated into my head and my eyes. I had blurred vision and saw dark spots. I do not remember if I passed out or not. All I remember is that I eventually came to my senses.

6. February 23 to February 28, I stayed in my bed. I had nausea and vomiting, dizziness, severe occipital headache, blurry vision, walking into walls, I fell 3 times, i had severe pain shooting into my right ear and jaw, I had laryngitis for a month, I slurred my words, my nose and mouth were numb off /on and I could not swallow my food.

7. On July 28, I went to my family practitioner. She diagnosed me with severe anxiety, cervalgia, and arm pain. She place me on leave for 2 weeks until March 14.
When the symptoms did not appear to be getting any better I called my physiatrist and he ordered MRI for March 13. When the report came back negative, I made appt with my orthospinal surgeon. He was out of town so I made appt with the orthopedic specialist that had seen me for TOS.

8. On March 14, I was diagnosed with right TOS. He ordered 2 scalene blocks a week apart first available appt was April 2018.

9. March 19 my physiatrist took me off my job for 8 weeks due to the severe pain and immobility.

10. A week later I was totally bedbound except to bathroom. I had to pick up my head and stabilize the back of my neck to sit up or turn over, or lay down. I noticed that my right pinky finger was starting to turn red like I had an occlusion. I made appt to see spinal surgeon. He said it was from the TOS and not worry about it.

11. The first week of April, I started having sciatic pain in my right buttock then my left. Then my thighs and ankles felt heavy and tired and weak bilaterally. I felt like I would hit the floor every time I stood up. I got very SOB, I still had dysphasia, by this time I lost 15lbs, I could not write or type with either hand. My symptoms had spread over to my left side and I had now had the same symptoms in my left side as I did my right. I had problems with urination. My big toes began to get numb, my hands and feet got red then mottled, very cold, and purple.

12. On April 5, I woke up and had felt like I was dying. I called the spinal surgeon. He examined me and said I did not have TOS. This seems to be coming from your neck and I don’t do necks. He would not give help me with the pain unless he was performing surgery. I was a 10 at this point and in tears. He said I had a pain specialist and I told him that my pain specialist had refused to write Me for pain meds because he says not treating me for this Acute issue. He only wrote for chronic pain. I called my family doctor and she instructed me to go to the ED. The ED doctor examined me and admitted me for all the Neuro symptoms she found, my hypertension, and the abnormal brain MRI.

13. April 5-9, I was given Robaxin, percocets, Demerol IV to control the pain and severe muscle spasms. I had mutiple tests. The first neurologist on call did not examine me or find anything on my brain MRI. He ordered a MRI brain with constraint to be sure. The neurosurgeon on call came in and move my neck and shoulders a little. He never examined me fully. He said my neck was a mess and that the C6 had not healed. He said he was trying to get a better pic of what was used in my last surgery. He said it looked like plastic. Another neurologist on call examined me and did a lot of test Ms in me. He said that I had stocking glove bilaterally hands and feet. He said I had hyperactive reflexes at the knees and no reflexes at my ankles. He said that I had symptoms of myelopathy and bilateral radiculopathy. He stated that I had positive humans sign on my right hand and not my left. No clonus was found. He said that I was having conflicting symptoms. He said that the c8 dermatones were being affected bilaterally but all of my symptoms did not fit. He felt that I had several things going on at once. He got labwork and all was normal. The MRI brain was felt to be benign, he ordered nerve conduction tests which showed Ulnar Cubital tunnel syndrome bilaterally and I had axinal neuron issues from my elbows to my hands bilaterally. The neurosurgeon told me that he found nothing urgent with my neck, I had bursitis in my shoulders bilaterally, and that he wanted to do a bilateral elbow release immediately. My family practitioner came in and diagnosed me with anxiety and depression and tried to put me on medication. I refused. I told her that I felt that my neck was broken. She said that no doctor was gonna touch my neck and that she was making a referral back to my original surgeon and discharged me without any pain control or muscle relaxers. I was not believed. I followed up with the neurologist a month later. He examined me and found the same issues that the other neurologist found.

14. On May 3 my family practitioner sent me for ultrasound of carotids for subclavian Steal. She noticed that my hands bilaterally were turning read like they had poor blood flow. Tests were negative. I tried to tell her that when I hyperflexed or hyperextended my neck I got the same TIA like symptoms. I saw my physiatrist later that week and he saw the same thing. I told him the symptoms I was having. He said that I needed MRA of the arteries and an echo because it looked cardiac. He instructed me to call my family doctor and ask her to order the tests. She ordered ultrasound of the carotid which were normal.

15. On May 30 I finally saw my neurosurgeon. He looked at my MRI and said my symptoms were psychosomatic from severe anxiety and would go away when he did my surgery. At this time I could not walk without assistance and my neck was so unstable and painful that I could not move my head in any direction. He gave me pain meds and muscle relaxer that did not touch the pain. I was instructed to stop taking the ibuprofen.

16. On June 14 I had ACDF c4-6. He cut the old surgical site anteriorly. He made a second incision at my C6 and placed a drain.

17. My husband told me that the Neuro surgeon told him I had Acute herniated discs at c4 and c5, I had severe stenosis and osteophytes complex at c4c5, and a dislocated rotation at my C6. He removed the hardware I have not seen my surgeon since the morning of my surgery and my husband did not think to ask what he did to correct C6. He told my husband that I had c2-c4 arthopathy.

18. I came home on June 15. I was discharged by the assisting neurosurgeon. He never told me I would need 2 neurosurgeons to work on me. All I know is that the pain at the base of my neck is excruciating, the pain radiating down between my shoulder blades like someone is stabbing me with a knife. My right arm and leg is still weak. I still have severe pain and stiffness in my neck into my shoulders with ungodly muscles spasms. I still cannot button my clothes, write, type on computer, I have no ROM in my neck worth speaking about. I am having difficult not looking down all the time. I can feel the hardware in my neck. The good news is that the muscle weakness and tired feeling is gone from my legs. I can pee again. I am not having any symptoms in my left arm at all since I woke up from surgery. I do not have a tremor any longer. My strength has returned.

19. I went back to my neurologist 2 days ago because I am having burning to top of my right foot. It has happened 3 times since surgery. No redness or a wound to my foot. We had a major cool front move through a week ago. I could feel the barometric pressure changes. It felt like I had inflammation in my neck again but not as severe as before the surgery. I started slurring my words. My balance was off again, dizziness, dysphasia worsened, pain to the c2c3 area of my neck. Brain fog and shorter memory problems still a problem and blurry vision. He ordered a MRI with/without contrast for July 12. He orders a thyroid T3 T4. All normal. My husband told him again that I acted like I had a TIA.

20. I am raising 3 grandchildren and was working 60-70 hours a week, going to the gym, paling with the kids, no problems at all before I injured myself. I don’t want to file disability retirement. I am not ready to retire. I have 9 more years as anburse Director then I plan to teach nursing. It is why I got my Doctorate in Nursing in 2013. I feel I had two different things going on. I feel that I had a stroke the night I injured myself and I dislocated my C6 vertebrae. I think I am having TIAs when my arthritis is inflamed and presses on my arteries since I already have foraminal stenosis. My MRI and my CT sis not show the extent of my spine issues. All of my symptoms are gone except on the right.

21. My MRA showed a focal narrowing of the right common artery at the C6C7 that appears to be artifact but if this is real plaque it is showing very short segmen 15% stenosis overall on the axial series otherwise grossly appearing flow. Vertebral arteries appear dominant. There is mild narrowing at the origin of the left vertebral artery otherwise no vertebral artery stenosis seen.

[Author]

Posts