Quote:
Originally Posted by BellaLea
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffntate
What symptoms and signs of nerve damage?
|
I had severe weakness in my legs and hands. My right hand had a mind of it's own and would jerk to the side if I tried to write or use a mouse (called chorea form movement). I had hyperreflexia(hyperactive reflexes) which is a sure sign of nerve damage. When they hit my knee with a hammer it flew up almost kicking the doctor, and severe clonus in my right ankle. These are terms you could look up and get a better definition of, but they are all hallmark signs of nerve damage. Also, I couldn't do the tandem walkwithout falling (same test they give for drunk drivers, walking heel toe).
My neurologist was very concerned about me having this level of nerve dysfunction and was surprised at how young I was to be presenting with these neuro deficits.
Surgery was the only avenue of treatment to stop the progression of symptoms. |
That all sounds much more severe than my symptoms. I have something called a Hoffmann side and "upper extremity weakness consistent with right C5/C6" and some right hand pain. PT testing showed my right arm is 20-60% weaker than my left, though being right handed, it should be 10% stronger. My right hand hurts all the time, like I have bad writer's cramp, but I haven't written. Maybe that all means though I've got some impingement, serious damage hasn't happened yet, and some surgery now can prevent further issues and maybe even reverse the right arm problem?