gmitch and Kris- any updates with you guys? I've been dealing with this unfortunate BS for the past 1.5 years, with it becoming disabling as of 4 months ago. I've had one unsuccessful surgery and now also on gabapentin and doing more PT but I feel like I'm still getting nowhere..

I'd love to talk to you guys and hear about your progress.

Hi, I came across this when I was searching for more information about LTN injury/palsy. Mine was injured nearly 4 months ago during neck surgery to fuse the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae. The incision is on the front of the neck, and then they use retractors to pull the muscles to the side so the vertebrae and disc can be accessed. Apparently during the retraction, my LTN was caught. It took awhile to get the right diagnosis. Immediate symptoms were intense, burning pain around the shoulder/scapula and down past my elbow. My arm was useless, couldn't hold onto a gallon of milk, my arm hung at my side like a rag doll, which made it hurt even more. I was unable to raise my arm past waist level, and my scapula had the classic "winging." The intense pain, which at the time was explained to me as "post op swelling pressing on nerves" kept me in the hospital for 4 days, which is much longer than the norm for this surgery (ACDF, or anterior cervical compression discectomy), which is either done outpatient or has a one night hospital stay. At the 2 week post-op visit the surgeon still was dumbfounded as to why I was having these symptoms, and didn't seem to want to entertain any thought of anything other than "swelling." I was referred to a Physiatrist who prescribed a very strong anti inflammatory and PT. That was a Godsend as it took the pain down enough to enable decent sleep. After 2 MRI's (one to the neck and one to the shoulder) that came out normal, an EMG was done and the problem was finally identified. Not that it made much difference to the treatment - Physical Therapy, anti inflammatories, and rest. Very functionally limited: unable to use right arm to wash/brush hair, to put plates on/off shelves, to reach inside the refridgerator, to reach the rearview mirror in the car (I didn't drive for 6 weeks), to carry anything with my arm away from my body. Finally, at 4 months, I'm getting better but still a long way from normal. I haven't yet been cleared to return to work as a Physical Therapist but hoping at next checkup in 2 weeks to clear that hurdle. I've accepted that this is going to take awhile. I continue to do the strengthening exercises for my shoulder/arm and they aren't as difficult. Still frustrated with how quickly my shoulder/arm fatigue! Just yesterday I was shocked to find I still couldn't tread water in the pool for more than a couple of minutes, and I've been a swimmer all my life. Female, age 47. I haven't found anything in the literature talking about this injury risk for the surgery I had. Would I have the surgery, knowing what I know now? Yup. This is temporary and will heal in time; my neck was a mess and now it's great.

Baloney...I've had over 30 "ops" and never, ever was I ever told anything that may damage anything...therefore...I had a SCS put in...now I'm crippled....
What a succkie system...More Mysteries then "The temple of Doom"

Thanks

Now to figure out what to do...another mystery to solve