You have some evidence of the need to include C6-7 in your fusion. Your statement “The pin needle test shows loss of sensation at my bicep, tricep and a cpl of fingers. My pointer, middle and inside of my ring finger”; indicates that there is some numbness of the C7 dermatome (area of C7 nerve coverage).
You also note that “When I lift things w my left arm, they feel heavier”. That is an indication of C6 involvement (the biceps is the lifting muscle and is weak). You don’t note anything about the triceps. This muscle is easily tested and I an unclear if you had weakness on physical examination. You can try “push-ups” to test this muscle. If you can’t easily push-up on the involved side compared to the “normal” side, you have triceps weakness.
You then state “I then went for the flexion extension exray which says C6-7 has the least disc space and most bone spurring”. If one of your problems is neck pain or you have kyphosis as a main problem of your disorder, this level should be included. It probably does not move much as it is collapsed and it will be loaded with a C4-5 fusion. The chance of it developing into a pain generator is not low.
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.
