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Neurology (Expert Forum)
cervical stenosis ???? surgery ?
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cervical stenosis ???? surgery ?
by jej, Mar 03, 2007 12:00AM
have cervical stenosis...2 yrs..had accident 2 yrs ago..can't feel feet legs and finally have lost bladder..had mri,ct mylogram...10 yrs ago had work injury cervical 6-7 fused and 3-4 fused..please advise ..losing feeling in legs ..feet are numb..9 spinal cord..5 nerves in thorasic extended from spinal cord..fall daily..no sleep,extreme pain and headaches..should i have another surgery? am i going to lose use of my legs like 11 years ago?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Mar 08, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms and story are concerning for cervical myelopathy (spinal problem in the neck region). Cervical myelopathy occurs when the spinal cord is compressed by discs, arthritic bone spurs, fractures, tumors, etc, causing a disruption in the 'wires' that go from the brain to the arms/legs. The symptoms often begin with pain, tingling in the arms/legs, and weakness in the arms/legs. When the symptoms progress to loss of bowel and bladder control, this is often considered an emergency for immediate decompression (surgery). Based on the symptoms that you describe I would suggest that you report to your doctor/ER as soon as possible for possible surgery. An MRI of the cervical spine would help determine what is going on at this time. When compression is severe it causes myelomalacia ('softening of the spinal cord') and the damages are often permanent. Often surgery can improve symptoms to some degree, but the major role of surgery is to stop further progression.
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms and story are concerning for cervical myelopathy (spinal problem in the neck region). Cervical myelopathy occurs when the spinal cord is compressed by discs, arthritic bone spurs, fractures, tumors, etc, causing a disruption in the 'wires' that go from the brain to the arms/legs. The symptoms often begin with pain, tingling in the arms/legs, and weakness in the arms/legs. When the symptoms progress to loss of bowel and bladder control, this is often considered an emergency for immediate decompression (surgery). Based on the symptoms that you describe I would suggest that you report to your doctor/ER as soon as possible for possible surgery. An MRI of the cervical spine would help determine what is going on at this time. When compression is severe it causes myelomalacia ('softening of the spinal cord') and the damages are often permanent. Often surgery can improve symptoms to some degree, but the major role of surgery is to stop further progression.
I hope this has been helpful.
Member Comments (14)
by loiskerr, Mar 05, 2007 12:00AM
To: Surgery???
Do the surgery. Have another MRI if you are having bladder trouble go NOW. They can fix it. Scary I know but so are your symptoms. The operation have come a long way since your operation. I'm doing great now and my legs are much better. I still need a thoracic surgery but I'm waiting till spring so I can walk outside. Make sure your MRI is the whole spine. I had a CT Myelogram three weeks ago and it showed more than the MRI. Keep us posted Lois
by jej, Mar 05, 2007 12:00AM
To: dear loiskerr
i am dlad you are doing well....i had a ct mylogram.had accicent 2 years ago and everything is falling apart in my spine.neauroligist said i had severe spinal stenosis and 5 nerves out of my spinal cord in thorasic..was going 70 miles an hour[ speed limit ]hit by truck..hit and run...did well 12 years ago with cervical surgery 3-4 and 6-7..got back some legs and bladder...but know its back to square one...i did not want surgery..but wife did research and i do not have choice...i only lay on couch and watch t.v. no quality of life..feet are numb and are ice cold..another mri set up for thorasic..fall and shuffle feet because i cannot feel them..not very stable..sounds like you had same surgery?sounds like you are doing good...is it as bad as i read{the surgery]thank you so much for writing back..this is my first time on a forum..i hope you are doing good and thank you again..good luck with your thorasic...you will be fine..thank you
by jej, Mar 07, 2007 12:00AM
To: update
saw neroligist ..he put me on a medication called dopamine...it says it is for parkinsons desease ..he said he wanted me to try it for something that might be in my brain[ had mri and 3 ct scans after falling on my head,,,all normal]..he wants to see if it will help shuffling of my feet...i shuffle my feet because i cannot feel them they are ice cold,,,mand i am losing more feeling in my legs daily...have lost complete control of bladder..have asked to see nuero surgeon for 1 year...on his diagnosic sheet he put severe spinal stenosis..and told me 5 nerves in thorasic sticking out of spinal cord..my wife takes care of me and house..i was 100% disabled when i had 3-4 and6-7 done 10 years ago..at 50 years old very active before that ..worked as miiwright and played golf 3 times a week..now i go to veterans hospital and medicare..and nueroligist said see you in 3 months...i take 16-17 kinds of medications..before did not take a aspirin...please advise....scared of taking this medication if i really do not know why i am aking it..thank you
by jej, Mar 07, 2007 12:00AM
To: update
sorry about typing cannot feel hands either ..numb 2 years...
by loiskerr, Mar 08, 2007 12:00AM
To: Mr. Shuffle
Please go see your surgeon. The operations have come along way in ten years. If you don't like your life you have to find a doc to help. Keep fighting someone will help you. Don't take no for an answer. Think about a new neuro. I'm 45 and I won't let my life slip away. However some of the docs want me to accept the fate. No way! I will fight with all (and it get less everyday) everything I have. I'm going for a six level thoracic operation soon. I trust my neuro with my life and my Neck operation 5 months ago has REALLY helped. So now I'm losing my bladder and bowel and I won't let this happen and be in a wheelchair. Please be enspired by the love of your wife and friends to see this problem through. God Bless and help yourself. Lois
by jej, Mar 08, 2007 12:00AM
To: loiskerr
i am going in for a appt today..i am going to fight for care..i need to get them to make an sppt for a nuero-surgeon..have asked for 2 years to see one ..if i get no results ..i will go above their heads...i am fighting...i know i need surgery..they are dragging their feet ..my spinal cord has gone from 1.1 to .9 in 6 months...let you know how it went today...i did read your problems lois and happy cervical came out ok ...i know thorasic will to...my wife is right at my side to fight for proper care....thank you lois...you are in our thoughs and prayers....