neurology

[micboroff]

I was involved in a car accident the beginning of March, this yr. I hit a patch of black ice on a overpass & hit a concrete guardrail, doing minimal damage to my vehicle, but extremely injured myself. I sustained 3 bulging disc @ c4-5, c5-6, c6-7, a rupture @c5-6, 2 annular tears & sprained rotator cupp. I went to see my chiropractor the day after, which was a monday & he took xrays, which showed whiplash of my cervical spine. He adjusted my neck, gave me ultrasound & did massage therapy every day & by friday when I wasn't improving, sent me for a MRI which found the above injuries. On day 5 after the accident I discovered a large knot under my left earlobe, informed my massage therapist & she worked that area & just few hours later the tendon on the left side swelled to a large size. Two & half weeks into therapy, with no relief, I was sent to see a Nuresurgeon who said If I was 2 mos. out from my accident with still no relief he would then do surgery. He reccommended I continue to see my chiropractor, for Massage & Ultrasound, no more adjusting of my neck. 6 wks post accident I went back to see the Neurosurgeon, who then agreed that surgery was my best option, and at this time I again, complained about the knot below my ear & the symptoms associated with that & asked him to please figure out what the problem was so everything could be fixed at the same time. April 29th I had a cage put in @ c5-6, with no plate. He said he scaped down bone which would help strengthen the other bulges.I saw my surgeon 6  wks post op & told him the knot below my ear had not gotten better & the  numbness, tingling & burning pain was only getting worse, & I asked him if I could have some kind of test done to check the nerves in that area & he told me there were no test to check facial nerves. I am now 8 wks post op, and although I still have weight limitations and am still not allowed to swim, sweep, mop,vaccuum, anything where I extend my arms per surgeons instructions. I cannot walk five blocks without horrible pain & numbness, I cannot lift 10 lbs without pain even tho I am now allowed to lift up to 20lbs. I saw my family Physician a week after my 6 week checkup & he is the one who told me he believes my Trigeminal Nerve was damaged & I am going to have a CT Scan done & see a ENT Doctor because I can't get in to see a Neurologist until Sept. He gave me Elavil to help me sleep at night & to help with the nerve pain, prednisone to help with the swelling & numbness, the Elavil does help my sleep, but has done nothing for the pain & the Prednisone did nothing either. I am so discouraged and depressed at this point.

[backdoc]

I would consult with the neurologist or get another opinion.  Let me know what happens. Good luck.

[micboroff]

thxs for your input. I forgot to mention that I did try traction & it was to painful & had to quit doing it. I am seriously considering a second opinion, because my surgeon has paid absolutely no attention to this issue. My neck is considerably better since surgery & is not my major complaint.Time is of the essence for me. My sick leave & Insurance will run out on October 6 th

[backdoc]

Hi.  I would have waited for the surgery and made that my LAST resort if possible. I would have sought a second opinion if surgery was to be elected.
Pain management could have been consulted prior to surgery and also physical therapy for your "knots" along with seeing the chiropractor. Sometimes these problems take longer than just 2 months to resolve even without surgery but people seem to want a fix right away. I also agree that you should not have manipulation in the cervicals with this type of injury but you could have benefited from traction possibly. Because it sounds as though you have had extensive surgery involving a cage....you need to follow up with your surgeon or get another opinion.  Your ENT will probably not be as qualified to investigate Trigeminal Neuralgia as well as a neurologist will, so you may be spinning your wheels but see what he says just the same. Good luck.