Pain Identification

[flyer1]

I have pain from what seems to be the C8 nerve ( right shoulderblade stabbing pain, inside right elbow stabbing , numbness of right outside fingers). I have a collapsed disc at c5-c6 and a herniated disc at c6-c7. Neck pain is minimal. My doctor thinks that fusing c5-c6 and maybe c7 could fix the problem. There is still some c5-c6 disk height.

Last year I was diagnosed with diskitis at c5-c6. I think I got a staff bug from an IV while I was in the hospital being treated for idiophatic transverse myelitis.  

Question 1) How likely is it that the c8 nerve is affected by the problems at higher levels?

Question 2) How different is a disk that was damaged by a staff infection from something more normal like a degenerative disk? My concern here is on how likely is post operative bone fusion for previously infected bones (indications were high that the infection got into the c5-c6 bones). I am also concerned that my doctor may not have experience removing previously infected disks.

[flyer1]

I appreciate your comment. It's in my pinky and ring finger on my right hand. Sometimes the same fingers on my left hand will go numb. I used a dermatome map to identify the nerve and I'm convinced it is the c8 nerve that is irritated and hurting. I did have an EMG and there was no apparant nerve damage. Nothing on the MRI's fit with the C8 nerve. I am going to see a specialist at UAB in Birmingham, AL. I do know a radioligist that had a similar problem and identified the C8 nerve as the one hurting. He had a C5-6-7 fusion and it stopped his C8 pain.

I was diagnosed with transverse myelitis originally (cystic around the cervical area but also affecting other regions) . I was in the hospital Oct 2-7, 2001 and had a ton of IV's while I was there. I was recovering extremely well on a high dose of steroids when I began to feel this pain a few weeks later. After 3 visits to the Mayo clinic I was diagnosed with diskitis at C5-6. I was given intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks. After that all indications of infections are gone. I have also developed a herniation at c6-7 but nothing below that. I am on 1800mg of Nerontin which cut the pain in half. Taking Lortab and Ultram for the rest of it.

Any strenuous activity will increase the pain. Usually for several days.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

1)Hard to say as I have not personally reviewed your films and I'm not sure if you're talking about the pinky and ring fingers or thumb and index when you say "outside fingers", but it's very possible C8 has been affected.  For a more accurate diagnosis, a formal neurological exam and an EMG can be helpful.

2)It depends on how extensive the infection was and if there was adequate treatment.  Changes do occur in some cases in which there is abnormal bony bridging or bony fusion of the affected vertebrae, scar tissue in the area which may or may not be affecting the nerves if there was a local immune reaction , or instability of the spine.

Talk to your doctor about your concerns.  If you don't feel comfortable with his/her level of experience, consider a second opinion at a major academic center from a spine specialist. Good luck.