Forum Replies Created

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 9 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • Gtrgilbert541
    Member
    Post count: 10

    Dr. Corenman,

    Thanks for the quick reply. Yes the MRI Was performed after the manipulation by the therapist..

    Thanks again,

    Travis

    Gtrgilbert541
    Member
    Post count: 10

    Dr. Corenman,

    I’m getting confused with everything that is going on. I wish I could make a trip to Colorado.

    I re-examined my notes and The kyphosis measurement was 50 degrees from t2-l2. Could the surgery at the t5-t6 level w/o the fusion cause an increase in the kyphosis?

    The symptoms of my cervical spine is mainly headaches,throbbing into the base of my skull. and pain extending down towards right shoulder. which didn’t start until physical therapy approximately a month after the accident. The therapist tried to do some kind of manipulation. Afterwards I had a major muscle spasm and could not move my neck at all. Since then the headaches and pain have been non-stop. I’ve tried massaging it under warm water and a heating pad but doesn’t help. Could the spasm be caused from an underlying problem ?
    Here is the mri of my cervical spine as noted in a previous post.

    MRI Cervical WO contrast

    Findings: Decreased cervical lordosis due to spasm. Vertebral body heights are maintained. Inter vertebral disc heights are normal. Posterior fossa structures are unremarkable. No abnormal cord signal seen.
    C2-C3: Normal
    C3-C4 Uncovertebral osteophytes and facet arthropathy causing moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing.
    C4-C5: Mild bilateral facet arthropathy causing mild neural foraminal narrowing.
    C5-C6: Uncovertebral osteophytes and facet arthropathy causing moderate neural foraminal narrowing. Disc osteophyte complex causing mild effacement of the ventral thecal sac.
    C6-C7: Normal
    C7-T1: Normal

    Thanks again,

    Gtrgilbert541
    Member
    Post count: 10

    Dr. Corenman,

    The compression fractures where due to an automobile accident on 08/29/13. Also a thoracic herniated disc at t5-t6 level causing minimum compression of the cord and some other disc bulges. Tried pt and epidural steroid injections to relieve pain from the thoracic herniated disc

    I went back to see the neurosurgeon a few days ago Scheuermann’s (thoracolumbar) was correct. The standing xray showed kyphosis measured @ 50 degrees. Could this be related to the accident?

    The neurosurgeon was concerned with dull throbbing pain extending into left leg and the chest banding pain that I am having related to the thoracic herniated disc. A repeat MRI of the thoracic spine was performed and according to the neurosurgeon showed an increase in the size of the herniation and a forming bone spur. I seen the images and it shows the herniation compressing my spinal cord laterally.

    I am in constant pain. Since physical therapy didn’t help and the epidural injections provided short relief (around 4 days each) the neurosurgeon has me scheduled for a transpedicular discectomy and osteophyte removal at the t5-t6 level instead of the trans-thoracic discetomy and fusion (I asked if there was an alternative), but unfortunately I cannot find any information about this surgery for the thoracic spine. He didn’t mention anything about the MRI of my cervical spine but did keep the cd to look over it. Could the cervical problems be caused from trauma. I follow back up in a couple weeks for pre-op (or sooner if they can get an opening). Can you give me some info about the transpedicular discectomy in the thoracic area.

    Thanks in advance,

    Travis

    Gtrgilbert541
    Member
    Post count: 10

    Dr. Corenman,

    I really appreciate your forum and the quick responses. I am a frequent visitor.

    I had a repeat MRI of my Lumbar spine and the first MRI of my Cervical spine done today.

    In my first post I stated the symptoms being “bad migraine headaches, throbbing pain starting between my shoulder blades and my chest traveling down my spine and left leg. Weakness and tingling in my left leg at times, Also I am feeling an electric shock at time in my left arm and left leg.” Additional to that I have a “throbbing like” pain that extends into the base of my skull.

    Thoracic Spine details are listed in the first post.

    Here are the results of the MRIs done today.

    MRI Cervical WO contrast

    Findings: Decreased cervical lordosis due to spasm. Vertebral body heights are maintained. Inter vertebral disc heights are normal. Posterior fossa structures are unremarkable. No abnormal cord signal seen.
    C2-C3: Normal
    C3-C4 Uncovertebral osteophytes and facet arthropathy causing moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing.
    C4-C5: Mild bilateral facet arthropathy causing mild neural foraminal narrowing.
    C5-C6: Uncovertebral osteophytes and facet arthropathy causing moderate neural foraminal narrowing. Disc osteophyte complex causing mild effacement of the ventral thecal sac.
    C6-C7: Normal
    C7-T1: Normal

    MRI Lumbar WO contrast
    Findings: Numbering based on 5 lumbar type vertebrae. Approximately 30-35% compression deformities of T11,T12,L1,L2 and L3 vertebral bodies without any abnormal marrow signal. There is complete resolution of marrow edema on STIR images in L2 and L3 vertebral bodies, seen on prior study.

    Paravertebral muscles are unremarkable

    The conus is seen at L1-L2 level. Cauda equina nerve roots are normal.
    T12-L1: Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy
    L1-L2: Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
    L2-L3: Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
    L3-L4: Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
    L4-L5: Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
    L5-S1: Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
    Impression: 30-35% compression deformities from T11 to L3 with out any abnormal marrow signal. Complete resolution of marrow edema in L2 and L3 vertebral bodies, seen in prior study. Moderate multilevel facet arthropathy with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.

    With that being said along with the problems in my Thoracic spine do you think a fusion from C2-S1 at the age of 23 would be an appropriate solution. Ha just joking. Can you give some advice on what I should do?

    Thanks again for your help,

    Travis

    Gtrgilbert541
    Member
    Post count: 10

    Dr. Corenman,

    Scheuermann’s could be a possibility a thoracic spine xray I had performed at my general practitioner’s office showed wedging from C7-T11.
    I had the second epidural steroid injection done today. There wasn’t as much pain after the lidocaine wore off this time ( the physician didn’t have as much difficulty this time either). I am hopeful it helps.. What are other treatment options for the thoracic spine besides ESI and physical therapy before opting for surgery?

    Thanks in advance

    Gtrgilbert541
    Member
    Post count: 10

    Dr. Corenman,

    The MRI of my lumbar spine mentions minimum anterior wedging of L2 & L3 and no disc herniation. It does not mention a degree of angulation. this was post accident in September 2013. I have yet to get another MRI approved of my L spine. I am hoping that it is approved by next week. The pain is getting worse day by day. I don’t have very good mobility in my lower back either. Could it be that the fractures haven’t healed?

    I had my first thoracic epidural steroid injection. I had some relief about and hour post procedure then the Lidocaine started wearing off and the pain returned, after the first three days post injection (soreness) The pain was substantially better for 4 days after. Now the pain has returned worse than it was before the injection. I have another injection scheduled for February 5th. What are the chances that the next injection will do the same? From what I have researched there is a better chance of relief after the second injection. I am hoping so, from what I’ve read about the trans-thoracic approach for the t5-t6 level it seems pretty risky.

    Thanks in advance

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 9 total)