[srk860]

#35868

So I went for an in person second opinion today on my c5-c6 herniation.

The Dr. Feels I’ve waited way too long and should have had surgery months ago on my pinched nerve. Basically says he has no idea how the nerve will respond to the decompression but he feels like any pain I have going through my arm down to my fingers will go away post surgery.

Also, he says he doesn’t feel like my shoulder pain when raising my arm is from the herniation because it’s a c6 nerve route and doesn’t cover the front of the shoulder. He thinks the weakness and atrophy caused my shoulder not to work properly and thus created shoulder tendinitis. *thinks

If you were me and your primary concern was the use of the arm, would you get the surgery still?

Is it possible the nerve(s) can heal some even if they don’t fully heal allowing me to build back a little muscle?

It was frustrating news to hear I was hoping surgery could alleviate a lot of the issues.

I can post any pics/photos if you need them.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#35870

I would respectfully disagree with his statement “it’s a c6 nerve route and doesn’t cover the front of the shoulder’ as C6 can radiate to the front of the shoulder. It’s always better to decompress sooner than later but you are still in the recovery window. First, obtain a new MRI to make sure the fragment is still compressing the nerve root. Then get your ACDF or ADR soon.

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.

[srk860]

#35871

Will do and thank you. I got this CT scan a few weeks ago

FINDINGS: Stable alignment. Straightening of the cervical lordosis with trace kyphosis again demonstrated. Left subarticular/foraminal disc osteophyte complex C5-6 level, less well visualized compared to the MRI study but probably not significantly changed. Associated left foraminal stenosis and left ventral thecal sac and cord indentation again noted. Central canal elsewhere is patent. Mild bilateral foraminal narrowing at the C7-T1 level due to facet joint hypertrophy again demonstrated. Remaining foramina are patent. No acute bone or joint abnormality. Visualized paraspinal soft tissues are within normal limits.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#35872

That CT is confirmation that the compression is still present. I think you are a good candidate for a surgery.

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.

[srk860]

#35874

I totally agree. I just hope it reduces the pain in my shoulder so I can raise my arm. That’s my conundrum. Either way I’ve decided to get it. From injury to surgery I’ll be between 4.5-5 months.

[srk860]

#35901

I wanted to provide an update on my case as I’m being told by professionals it may be unique.

I went for an EMG, and I was diagnosed with superscapular neuropathy. The Dr said he thinks it’s possible I have 2 separate things going on.

Findings: CV testing of the left median motor and sensory nerves demonstrates normal amplitudes, latencies and conduction velocities.
EMG evaluation a left arm reveals signs of acute and chronic enervation in several C6 innervated muscles as well as in the upper cervical paraspinals. Severe acute denervation with no volitional motor unit activity was noted in the infraspinatus muscle. The supraspinatus muscle is normal.
Conclusion:
1
Left C6 cervical radiculopathy with signs of acute and chronic denervation
2.
Severe left suprascapular neuropathy below the level of the innervation of the suprascapular muscle. There is severe active denervation in the infraspinatus muscle with no associated volitional motor unit activation
3.
No evidence of a left median neuropathy

I then saw a shoulder Dr who thinks on top of the herniated disc that he can obviously see on MRI, I may have a paralabral cyst. They ordered an MRI that I have on Christmas Day. He says if it’s not a cyst there’s a surgery he can do to decompress my c5 superscapular nerve.

Now, fast fwd. I share this info with my neurosurgeon who I have a surgery date with and he’s not excited about the findings. He things the likelihood of 2 separate things happening at the same time is very unlikely, because the c6 compressed cervical nerve in my neck has a lot of input of the superscapular nerve.

The fact my infraspinatus muscle has next to no activity is alarming me and the clock is ticking. I have early Jan surgery scheduled for my neck.

Have you come across this issue or have a thought?

[Author]

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