Hi all. Here is my story.

In 2000 I went thru surgery for cervical kyphosis. Originally I was supposed to be in for 4 days or so and the surgere was to be about 7 houers or so. It would include instrumentation from the posterior approach and grafting at 3 levels I think from the anterior.

Well the surgery was a lot longer then anticipated. Rather then it being a 1 day surgery, it was done in 2 days.

The posteior portion of the surgery took 8 hours and Harrington Rods implanted from C3 to about the T4 lever.

Then the anterior position was the bone graft and that took another 4 hours. And rather then being in the ospital for 4 days I was in for 2 1/2 weeks because I deveolped pneumonia and had to be intubated.

Well here is what happened. After I finally was released I noticed that i had trouble with my right hand. The area between my thumb and index finger started to wither away. I had trouble picking things up. My hand was not functioning the way it used. Between holding things and the right hand i usually used a knife to cut foot. I had trouble holding the knife the way I used to. I was told that the trouble was at the C7 level.

Now I am not making accusations against the surgeon. But I don't know what happened and why after all these years I still have difficulty with this hand.

But strangly for a brief period of time I was seeing a pain doctor in New York and also having accupuncuture. Surprising I started to see a change in the hand. The affected area did not appear to be as withered. But once treatment stopped it went back to the way it was.

Then when I saw my neurosugreon about 3 weeks ago, he suggested that I get a "hand grip" to help build up the hand;arm and part of it would be doing core exercises. I am noticing that the area doesn't appear to be as withered as it was. In the 2 weeks that I have been using this hand grip I see a physical difference. As to the function of the hand I cant say that things have improved. I plan on continuing using the hand grip to see what the results may be over the next few months. Maybe it is working and is just going to take some time.

Anyone have any input on "core exercises?" Or know anything about the issues that I have with my hand. I assume its some type of neuropathy.

Allan

Very glad your out of the woods. I recently had spinal surgery last year myself and after surgery noticed a few anomalies too. The best advice I got was this; surgeons like to cut. They cut they sew and leave the rest up to the body to heal itself. Because everyone's body is solo different 2 people having the same procedure may not have the same outcome. The hand grip is an excellent idea, swimming may also help and also strengthen your core. A good physio will show you how to activate your core muscles. I still have some weakness 15 months post surgery, but I still exercise and workout and pray. Don't loose faith.

Aussie

Aussie:

Thanks for the response. Over the years I have been thru 9 surgeries. 7 of them spinal related surgeries.

As to the spine I feel that I am at the end of the road, I think the neurologist that I am seeing has classified me as intractable pain which if I am correct there is really no treatment options left. Its basically medicate the person.

I am discouraged. I was out earlier and as I was leaving I left with a friend who saw I wasnt doing well. I said I am at the end of the road. Not much they can do for me. I feel I am getting worse in that each day is becoming more and more difficult to get thru. Getting out of bed is a major task. Standiing up from a seated position is also becoming more difficult

I will see what the hand grip does if it restores any function to the hand. The pool doing it I feel relieve, but out of the water is the issue. Too bad I wasn't born a fish so I could be in the water all the time. I haven't been functioning very well lately.

Not sure what tomorrow holds but I have faith and it keeps me going. More later.

I had cervical fusion C3-6 in 2005. A laminectomy in 2003. The lami left me with permanent damage in my right arm. When I woke up from that, my R arm simply had no control. I'd try to brush my teeth, the toothbrush would go to my ear. Trying to cut dinner or eat was awful. I can't feel things properly with my thumb and pointer finger. I don't drop stuff, I know I have SOMEthing in my hand, but to feel a fabric, I use my left hand. I get shots in my right arm because I can't feel them. I have burned myself with hot oil because I didn't know it was there.

I just use my hand as normaly as I can. I've never pursued the why behind it. I assume the neurosurgeon cut something, and it will never get better. It is numb from the incision in my neck, all the way down my arm to the finger and thumb. My Ortho spine surgeon said it may never get better, and it hasn't. And that's why I never recommend a neurosurgeon for this type of surgery, and the guy that did mine gets a rotten comment every time I hear his name.

I dont think the damage to my arm is as severe as yours. I can use my right arm but it certainly isnt normal. Cutting food is more difficult but I can use the knife. Picking things up I have to really think of what I am doing at times otherwise I will drop things since I know I cant grasp things properly

Not sure what else to say. I'm just fed up at this point wilh all the medical issues.

Last night I was out to dinner and I started getting teary. My partner asked me what was wrong and I started telling him something that wasn't truly the reason I was Sad. I am a single parent and through my divorce my home was sold. I am now in a situation where I have repartnered and we are looking to buy a home together. I find myself procrastinating and even sabotaging all our plans feeling sorry for myself because I am in pain myself most days and like you also have spinal issues and PN. I too felt very discouraged. Then I remembered someone said to me I use to cry over my shoes until I met a man who had no feet. Not to diminish anyones pain in anyway, but at least today we have both meds and therapies these days to help people like us. Think about having these problems just 100 years ago and how limited our options would be. Cheer up matey and remember you are not alone. I know this sounds very simplistic but make a list of 5 things you can do different, better, more, to improve your problem, and then practice them daily.


Sorry my reply is In between your message. 2 paragraphs up. Aussie