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  • Lucky
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    Post count: 8

    Thanks! I will and hope to post back with great news : )

    Lucky
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    Post count: 8

    I may have been mistaken with the surgeons deciding a single level during surgery. I was out of it when I woke up. The decision must have been made beforehand. It was kind of up in the air whether or not a multilevel needed to be done. I just told them I trust them and to do whatever surgery is needed.

    I have started physical therapy three weeks ago and have three weeks left. I’m getting some body strength and mobility of my neck back with PT. I have also been going on almost daily long walks or walking up and down the stairs in my house for exercise. The incision area is still regaining feeling but is a little better. The tingling sensation I have throughout my body/hands seems to be getting better. The tingling seems to linger in my hands a lot of times, even now as I type. The tingling sensation throughout my body is much more intense but only happens for about a second at a time. I noticed it happens often when I look down, especially while walking. I asked one of my surgeons about this and he said it is a result of my spinal cord injury and may or may not go away : ( I had some hand tingling about a week before the surgery but not the body tingling (my arms also started to fall asleep while sleeping about a week before the surgery, but have not again after). But my surgeons were electronically monitoring my spinal cord during surgery and there showed to be no issues from the surgery. My right palm side up forearm also seems to have a slightly different sensation in an area than it did before I was injured. On the plus side I do not appear to have any muscle weakness from the injury (although my muscles have atrophied from inactivity). Does anyone know if this tingling is bad? My physical therapist told me it was okay as long as there is no muscle weakness.

    Also, my surgeons have told me once fused I will be able to regain all activities with no precautions, I am getting teary eyed as I type this : )

    Lucky
    Participant
    Post count: 8

    Before they put me under anesthesia they told me the 3 level needed to be done. But, one they started the operation they found that only the one level (C3 – C4) needed to be done. I found that out upon awakening and was happy being it was less surgery that needed to be done.

    I will ask about the other levels, if there is any risk. I am a little concerned after reading your post. I was playing foosball (table soccer, not football) at home and noticed the next day there was, what appeared to be a slight shoulder/forearm weakness feeling. Also my fingers are tingly and starting to feel slightly numb at the tips sometimes. I stopped doing things that require any quick movements or grip strength to see if it gets better. My surgeons have done hundreds of these surgeries and I do trust them, but I hope the surgery addressed all problem areas and nothing was missed : (

    Lucky
    Participant
    Post count: 8

    I had my surgery about four weeks ago today. The surgeons decided to do a multilevel fusion after reviewing the MRIs and CT Scan, C3 – C6. After awakening from my surgery I was told they found they only needed to do a single level fusion : ), C3 – C4. I was in the hospital for two days recovering, then sent home with pain pills. I have been resting and am not to drive or do any form of exercise for another two weeks. I also had two follow up visits since the surgery with x-rays and all is well. There is some tingling in my arms and hands which my surgeon expects to go away on its own. Besides the arm/hand tingling I am no longer in pain. The incision area has minimal scaring at only four weeks post surgery. The incision area is numb, under my chin but has been slowly regaining feeling. So, so far my surgery has been a success and I hope to soon return to all of my activities.

    Lucky
    Participant
    Post count: 8

    Dr. Corenman post=8038 wrote: I am assuming you have significant stenosis as you did have a central cord injury based upon your symptoms and you have two surgeons who want to perform surgery. If you have no stenosis and you developed SCWORA (spinal cord injury without radiological abnormalities), this would be very rare and unlikely.

    Stenosis from fracture (injury) is different from developmental (degenerative) stenosis. In fracture stenosis, you probably would have had surgery that first fateful day. WIth developmental stenosis, you don’t have to have surgery immediately but the trend of surgeons is to put you in a neck collar to protect your cord and do surgery as soon as is feasible.

    Dr. Corenman

    Thanks, I’m still learning about this stuff and you’ve been a big help. I luckily did not suffer a fracture but reviewing the MRI with the doctors they showed me that I do have disk herniation/stenosis.
    I’m meeting with an orthopedic spine surgeon soon and will input any updates I have in this thread. Thanks again Dr. Corenman for the fast replies, this is a great site.

    Lucky
    Participant
    Post count: 8

    Dr. Corenman post=8031 wrote: Good luck! Please keep us posted regarding your progress.

    Dr. Corenman

    Sure, I will…

    Dr. Corenman, can I ask how you know surgery is necessary after my cervical central cord injury without seeing an MRI?

    Is it because there would need to be significant compression to cause the injury I had, which would not heal enough on its own or via PT?

    Is there a difference between cervical spinal stenosis from an injury vs cervical spinal stenosis from degenerative changes?

    Thanks!

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 7 total)