continued symptoms post-op c5-6 artificial disc placement

[mill3kids]

6 months ago I noticed neck/arm pains and hand numbness while working and was sent for PT.  Continued working in same environment, went to PT approx. 4months, finally had MRI Nov. 09, but continued working.  Showed slight disc protrusion at c5-6, finally assigned to Neurosurgeon who went for the conservative approach: rest, PT, steroid shots...no relief. Had c5-6 disc placement Feb. 26, 2010, MD had to remove large "chunk" of disc material from nerve root. After post-op pain subsided, notice relief in upper shoulder and down inside of arm to thumb, but now still have shoulder pain, upper arm pain, exterior lower arm pain, middle and ring finger numbness and general arm weakness. No second MRI was ever done since Nov. 09, and while still working had "traumatic" arm pain, which sent me to Neurosurgeon. Are other discs seen when surgery performed, or could I have additional herniated discs.  RN at post-op appt. said pain is from nerves restoring themselves and prescribed Lyrica...no help there.  The nerve root was injured for such a short time I have a hard time believing this and could feel post-op "tingling" in recovering areas right away.  Any suggestions.

[kay290]

What other nerve compression might be going on once the spine is decompressed? I still have numbness 5 months post-op in left foot and fingers.Fingers/hand are especially at night. I had ACDF C5-6,C6-7.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. Although without being able to examine her I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that she needs, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about her health concern.

I doubt that still there may be some nerve is compressing or injured during artificial disc placement surgery. Sometimes these symptoms may occur due to other nerve compression after healing fibrous scar. It may take some time to I would suggest consulting another neurologist who would like clinically examine you and/or order few investigations like MRI to reach at probable diagnosis here. Hope this helps.