[Rheannon]

Hello,

I’ve been away from the boards for several years but sadly find it necessary to come back with issues concerning my neck. I had a corpectomy (removal of part of vertebra with metal cage and plate/screw reconstruction) at C5 in 2005. It was failed surgery in that the pain that drove me to have the surgery returned three months post op. Anyway it’s a nasty surgery and I would not recommend it unless the situation is dire.

What I am now facing is numbness in my neck. It is centered on the spine in the back and runs from approximately C3 down to C6. Has anyone that has had any kind of cervical surgery or neck problems had any kind of issue like this?

I have been to see a doctor and the suggestion that was made does not bear repeating. Quite frankly I don’t know if I can even type it without using unseemly language. Let’s put it this way; I’m here asking so I did not get any viable or usable information.

I am not a medical professional but have found that I needed to be fairly well versed in the technical side of my condition. So the more detailed the info the better if you can. But even an affirmation that this is not singularly unique would be welcomed at this point.

I hope to be around for awhile. I’ve missed the community and the discussion about what happens for people with spinal problems. So thank you so much!

Rheannon

[Leesa]

From what you say, it's just the NECK that is numb, correct? There is no numbness in the limbs?

It would seem to me that with all the surgery that was done, you sustained some nerve damage, causing this numbness. If there's no pain/burning with it, I wouldn't worry too much albeit I'm sure it's annoying.

I have some of the same, only in the lumbar area. I've been 'opened' there twice, and then had a spinal cord stimulator put in besides -- then removed. So I have some numbness along that area too.

I hope it isn't causing you any trouble and I hope your surgery days are over. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

[Dr. Smith]

Hi Rheannon,

In no way do I mean to diminish your concerns or feelings; we all want to be/feel entirely whole and well. But speaking only for myself (years of intractable pain from stenosis at c5-c7, severe spinal arthritis, bone spurs) and possibly echoing what your doctor said, I think I'd trade numbness for my pain in a heartbeat. Maybe that's just a little venting of my own coming through.

I agree with Leesa; it sounds like some local nerves were damaged/cut in the process of the surgery. Depending on which (damaged or cut) regeneration may be possible, and I guess I'd focus on that - supplements to promote nerves, massage/treatments to improve local circulation, etc. to see if there's any improvement. Nerves heal/grow slowly, so it could take some time.

Since you didn't mention pain, I'm inferring that it is no longer an issue (or less of one). Please don't let the numbness overshadow or diminish that victory!

Doc

[Rheannon]

I wouldn’t deign to waste anyone’s time with an issue that I perceive as trivial. Pain is a signal that the body uses to alert the mind that there are “issues” to be dealt with and just that. Pain is not a mantle that I wear. I do not let it define what is important to me in my day to day life nor medically even though I continue to have the scapular pain 24/7 and this is my 11th year.

The problem is progressive; I did not have the numbness at the time of surgery or shortly after. In fact I cannot tell you exactly when it started since I try my best to ignore my condition and function as normally as possible in spite of it. What concerns me is that the numbness continues to progress and grown in severity and area. I vaguely remember reaching up and scratching my neck a year or two ago and noticing that the sensation did not seem consistent but I dismissed it as a non–starter...now not so much.

There is not a spinal issue that is not defined, controlled and regulated by the peripheral and central nervous system. And to simply ignore a progressive condition because it has not changed the quality or quantity of pain experienced is just folly. If I understand my doctors correctly this is all nerve related for me since my “pain” and what drives my condition is all due to referred nerve signals. I get it…we are still in the dark ages of understanding the nervous system but I had hoped for someone that might have experienced the same issue or something similar.

Please if you have let me know! For some reason for me knowing is comforting. Just even having a diagnosis that makes sense can ease the “Pain”.

Rheannon

[aussiemom]

I'm not sure we had the same surgery, but. I had C3-6 fused in 05. All that is fine and dandy. I had lamis there in 03, left me with permanent damage. Fast forward to 09 to now. Scapular pain, new areas of numbness, in my wrist. I've done trigger point injections, and Botox. Both gave a few months of relief, nothing long term.

I'm seeing a new pain doc, right now we are trying to ease the lumbar pain. I don't forsee much relief anywhere, maybe he has a few new tricks in his bag? Good luck!

[Leesa]

Rheannon ~ We certainly were not trying to minimize your condition. You did not originally say that it was progressive. Had you mentioned that, perhaps our answers would have been different.

I apologize if you thought I was being flippant ~ I certainly did NOT mean to be. We just weren't given all the facts. I hope you get some better answers to your questions. God bless. Lee

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Rheannon

The problem is progressive;

I'm sorry; that was not clear to me from your OP. What you describe now sounds very much like peripheral neuropathy.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147963.php

Perhaps a neurologist other than the doctor you mentioned (second opinion?) might shed some light.