Leary about rushing into surgery
 

Joined because I have a friend with a problem that I'd like to discuss with folks that just might point me in the right direction. Then I can pass that right direction on to my friend.
Friend's name is Tony and she is being told by a spinal doc that she needs surgery for cervical stenosis. The problem that I'm having is that the doc didn't suggest other possible causes for her numbness and tingling. Because the symptoms that Tony describes are pretty much exactly the same as the ones I had before carpal tunnel surgery, I'm not understanding why the doc didn't have an EMG performed to rule this out. There was no suggestions of medication or physical therapy to minimize the discomfort associated with the cervical stenosis. Actually, there are no other symptoms except the tingling and numbness in hands and fingers and discomfort in one shoulder......no headaches, no neck aches, no balance problems, no bladder incontinence. I do not doubt that the EMG shows the CS - I just feel that surgery is being jumped into too fast. Wouldn't surgery be a last resort?
Of course, I want what's best for Tony, but until she sees a neurologist or has a 2nd opinion about options from another spinal doc, I'm not going to let up with my misgivings. I thought that input from y'all would help back up or alleviate my concerns....at the very least.
Thanks for your time and effort and this forum.
Deborah

Hi , I suggest getting second opinion also, always.
Surgery should be considered as a last resort.

A good Dr should show & clearly explain why surgery is suggested to patient.
Most things requiring surgery should clearly show on the imaging (MRI, Xray, CT scan, etc (& get a copy of it) .

And you can always take the same films to another dr, or even an expert chiropractor an opinion also.

I would ask Dr why not give PT a try first?

There are other repetitive strain injures that share some of the same symptoms as c spine problems, like thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). it can also mimic carpal tunnel or be in combination with carpal tunnel.

Does she do a lot of repetitive activities? - desk work, lots of texting, computer work, sports injuries, previous whiplash, musician?

How is her upper body posture? head forward, shoulders forward?
this can strain & spasm the upper back & neck muscles which can send symptoms down the arms.

here's our TOS forum's useful sticky thread - full of info on TOS and other related conditions & therapies-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

If she has spinal stenosis, it should be clearly demonstrable on an MRI.

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Hello, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with many friendly, caring, and helpful people.

We're so glad you found us! :)

Here is the link to the Spinal forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Welcome to the family!!
 

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

There are great number and caring fellow members here to assist you. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene :hug: