possible nerve damage

[pam1962]

Hi
I had cervical disc replacement level c6/c7, plus nerve decompression in December last year. Since then I have suffered headaches. Since the end of March I have also suffered unsteadiness and a light headed feelings which are now on a daily basis, I  have some numbness that goes in to my Jaw and lips sometimes and neck pain. Also I get pain and numbness in my hands. I have visited a E.N.T. specailist who had ruled out any problem with my ears. Is it possible that these problems are due to my operation and perhaps nerve damage?

[Neuro Forum]

on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to obtain a history from you and examine you, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is however I will try to provide you with some information.

One possibile cause of headaches following surgery to the brain or spine is continued leakage of spinal fluid. The brain and spine are surrounded by a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid, abbreviated CSF. Our body makes several 100 cc of this a day, so that if a little bit is lost during surgery or for example during spinal tap, it is easily replenished. On occasion following surgery to the spine, small amounts of CSF may continue to leak through the tissue that normally holds it, and this can lead to what is termed intracranial hypotension, basically low pressure of CSF in the brain. Symptoms include dizziness and headache, and the main feature of the headache is that it improves when you are lying down and worsens when you are sitting up. Diagnosis can often be made by MRI of the brain with contrast, and treatment includes good hydration, caffiene, and over the counter medications for the pain so that your body can help replace the fluid, and often the leakage will seal on its own, if not, there are specific treatments for spinal CSF leak.  

If intracranial hypotension is not the cause of your symptoms, then your jaw and head pain may be unrelated to your spine surgery because the C6-C7 area does not supply the neck and law and mouth area but rather the hands. The possibility is that you have additional discs or arthritis at the C2-C3 level that leads to head and neck pain etc. Continued follow up with your spine doctor is recommended, with evaluation by a neurologist as deemed necessary.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[pam1962]

I would just like to thank you for your answer. In the U.k we have brilliant doctors and nurses but they are so over worked sometimes it is hard to get the right help.
Your advice gives me something to go on and I will visit my neurologist as suggested.
Thank you for your time.