i'm not certain if there even is an explanation, but feel i've tried most every route available.   in 1994, i had an acdf of c 5/6 with perfect outcome.

4 years later, a return of symptoms revealed another large c-spine herniation w/cord compression at c 6/7.    again, an acdf was performed.    healing this time was more difficult with continued pain & numbness along the left side arm and hand.

an mri conducted 3 mos later, it states "at the 3 month post-operative mark, one would expect to see some marrow signal consistent with bone healing, but instead the loss of signal on the t1 and t2 weighted sagittal images would suggest that the graft had in fact been reabsorbed and collapsed".    The report further states that "myelomalacia extending from c4 down to c7 is also likely where the cord appears to be more flattened with a central high intensity scene, which changes abrubptly to normal at c4 and down below c7".

followup mri's always indicate that fusion at that level is unlikely; however, instability is not an issue on flex-xrays.  the pain & symptoms during the last year is identical to that of prior herniations.

a discogram done one month ago shows "a strongly positive provavocative discogram; showing a fracture at c 4-5 allowing the die to travel through the c 4-5 area".   (what does this mean?)

an emg recently done states "abnormalities consistent with chronic c5, c6, and c7 radiculopathy".  the emg indicates that this may be the reason for the continued arm and hand pain, but that the "clawed hand" (fingers unable to open on L hand) may be due to a stroke.   a brain mri was conducted to rule this out.

i'm hesitant to have additional surgery as c6-7 is not unstable, and do not understand the discogram results myself.   however, through the numbness and pain of the left arm and hand, the clawed fingers remain.   i have been to "hand specialty physical therapists" twice, who both feel they have been unsuccessful in helping.   i'll soon begin a 3rd try at pt.

sorry for the long explanation, but i'm perplexed on why i've developed a "claw hand" (which is also losing feeling) on the left side.    i live in n. alaska and am not certain when i'll be able to see a spine surgeon again in the lower-48.   is it possible that the clawed hand is due to something other than the c-spine problems, or is this something that actually has been seen before in such cases?   thankyou!!!!