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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Post Surgical cevical laminectomy issues
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Post Surgical cevical laminectomy issues
by conner5, Dec 28, 2005 12:00AM
Major shoulder pain radiating down through the left arm to my fingertips. MRI, Myelogram films were supposedly inconclusive but the surgeon felt sure I had C5-6,C6-7 herniations. Radiologist report said the same. I had a posterior cervical laminectomy 11/4.Post op he said discs were fine but major bone spurs were pressing on the foramina so he removed. Recovery tume was proj.to be from 3-6 weeks to resume normal activity,no intense workouts.I am 8 weeks post op, having major pain still in my arm and now my neck.Incision area, shoulders upper back are extremely hypersensitive-my hair touching the area feels like I am being burned. Had EMG-showed evidence of cervical radiculopathy,MRI report said C6/7 was herniated.My surgeon says he can't see it and suggests all pain is related to muscle spasms and inflammation and to give it 2 more months.I am on Neurontin, Celebrex and Vicodin and am in serious discomfort. Reluctantly prescribed more vicodin. My PT person refuses to work on me for now as all options she has tried cause more pain.I feel very much like I am getting the run around and am scared that at the end of two months i will be starting over with another surgery.I tried a second opinion w/ another group which didn't work as 'he is best friends' w/ my surgeon.But he did say he would get another myelogram & possibly do aan anterior surgery for the arthitis and disc.My concern is that the reports from the MRI & Mylam pre-op showed a herniation and MRI post op says the same. Pain/discomfort worse 8 weeks after surgery-What do you think?I have an appt sched.w/pain mgmt.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Dec 30, 2005 12:00AM
Its not clear whether you mean the EMG and MRI was done postoperatively or before the operation, and without seeing the results of the MRI and EMG its difficult for me to comment.
Surgery for the above reasons does not gaurantee pain relief and is mainly done to prevent permanent neurological problems like weakness. EMG is difficult to interpret in the recent postop setting, so the results should be interpreted with caution, its possible there still are spurs compressing a nerve root, but, Probably most of the pain is from muscle pain and spasm. If an MRI was not done postop, it should be done to check for any retained disc fragments, or spine instability.
Perhaps you should get a 2nd opinion from another unconnected group - (not as the above). The Cleveland Clinic Spine Center for example, would be able to seperate out your issues and need for possible further surgery.
Good luck
Surgery for the above reasons does not gaurantee pain relief and is mainly done to prevent permanent neurological problems like weakness. EMG is difficult to interpret in the recent postop setting, so the results should be interpreted with caution, its possible there still are spurs compressing a nerve root, but, Probably most of the pain is from muscle pain and spasm. If an MRI was not done postop, it should be done to check for any retained disc fragments, or spine instability.
Perhaps you should get a 2nd opinion from another unconnected group - (not as the above). The Cleveland Clinic Spine Center for example, would be able to seperate out your issues and need for possible further surgery.
Good luck