C7 t1 recovery from atrophy

[John71]

Recovery from c7 disc problem, up until 4 months ago, i was a life long rugby player then retired gym junkie, but 4 months ago i was bed ridden for the first time in my life with pain in my back on my rightside, which started as a spasm im my spinatus, forgive the spelling, that then moved into my tricep and down to my forearm, after about 8 weeks the pain stopped, but the atrophy and weakness in my right tricep pec and lat is incredible and very disheartening, i have been diagnosed as having a protruding disc at the c7 t1 area, but i am still awaiting seeing the specialist, the waiting lists are so long where i live, and i also require the use of a larger MRI machine as im still quite large will probably stay that way until i can go back to my old excercise routine, im hoping to avoid surgey, i definatly have nerve issues on my right side especially in thge tricep, what are my chances orf regaining the strength on my right side with or without surgey, if anyone can throw some light on the situation for me, it would give me some comfort whilst i wait to see a specialist.

[John71]

thanks guys im aware of the low chance of recovery and have been pushing as hard as possible to get in to see a specialist to no avail, i have private health insurance and my case is being viewed as urgent so im getting in in April instead of September, so even if your pain has stopped the nerve is still compressed, i still have numbness in my right hand first two fingers but it is in no way as bad as before, i was hoping that the nerve may no longer be compressed, just damaged form the time it was, i cant get in to the surgeon until 11th of April, i live in Queensland Australia, and there is only two doctors you would trust with this type of surgery and the population in Brisbane and Gold Coast combined would be between 1.5 to 2 million.

[WashingtonCarl]

I also suffer the same problem. had surgery to correct the hern. disk at c7 in December of this year for an onset of sudden and severe left hand weakness. The hand has still not regined its strength and has majot atrophy in all the muscles. Scheduled for surgery again next week. I was told the longer you wait the less chance of recovery. I also agree that with out surgery to decompress the nerve, your chance of recovering is next to nothing. Good luck

[richmill1]

I had exactly the same problem, the chance of you regaining muscle without surgery are 0, sorry..I was a gym rat for 12 years..now 1 month post op..c5-7 fusion...
when there is nerve damage muscle goes too..taking much longer then I thought to regain strength and muscle, but at least I have started..find a good neurosurgeon..
good luck