PROGNOSIS

[sigman]

As followup to previous message - any prognosis for this type situation would be appreciated. What can I expect in the future ? Is there any danger of my injuring  the c5,6,7 site again ? Can I go back to normal life after healing period is done ? I am 63 years old and just retired and looking forward to playing with my grandchildren and teaching swimming to 3-5 year old children at the local YMCA

[caynetina]

obviously you also misunderstood the kind recommendation.  To post 2 questions on one day is a misuse and I kindly offered this information to the first time poster.  And it is not true the doctors do indeed read a comment posted so closely to the originally posted question particularly if it hasn't been answered already by one of the staff doctors.  If you want to check this out you kind find numerous posts that other patients had no room to type more pertinent info and continued on with posting a comment right after that.  It's absolute nonsense for you to say that the doctors don't read that.  True the poster can be lucky to have had to post 2 questions in one day however the question should have been well thought out prior to wasting another post slot.

[sigman]

Thank you Christie. I'm new to this service and certainly didn't intend to offend anyone or misuse the time.

[nurse12hr]

A comment for the previous poster who recommended that Sigman not post a follow up question--you realize, of course, that the doctors RARELY IF EVER read a comment added like that.  They respond ONCE AND ONLY ONCE, and if you have to add something or ask an additional question you MUST post again.  

Sigman was very lucky to be able to get in again, and I wish the best.

[caynetina]

just a kind reminder if you want to follow up an already posted message click on your previously postage message and click comment instead of taking up another question slot.  It takes forever for individuals to sometimes post on this site and posting 2 questions on 1 day is frankly a wasted slot for someone else.

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

For prognosis regarding the symptoms in your hands, consider an EMG. As for the repaired vertebra, we usually recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for the first 6 weeks or until your first followup appointment. After that, theoretically you should be able to return to your life prior to the injury. A history of diabetes or serious medical conditions can hamper the recovery period, but otherwise 6-8 weeks is the time period we give our patients following major spine surgery.