NeuroTalk Support Groups - Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CMS)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BellaLea (Post 1015002)

I had symptoms for a longtime and ignored them until the damage to my nerves may be irreversible. "..."

I had severe foraminal narrowing at C4-5 and stenosis, as well as significant signs of nerve damage, .

What symptoms and signs of nerve damage?

X-ray of my neck

Attachment 7687

MRI of my neck

Attachment 7688]

[QUOTE=jeffntate;1015044]What symptoms and signs of nerve damage?[/QUOTE

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 severeclonus 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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffntate (Post 1015088)

MRI of my neck

Attachment 7688]

Even to an untrained eye, you definitely have some encroachment on the spinal cord and stenosis. There are some new minimally invasive procedures which may work. MILD procedure is the newest one.

Do your research, talk to your doctor and get second opinion on course of treatment. Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellaLea (Post 1015128)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffntate (Post 1015044)

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 severeclonus 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?

HELP - very worried.

I've started dropping cups and knocking things over with my weak arm, and anytime I do anything significant with it, it hurts like the devil for hours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellaLea (Post 1015002)

I had symptoms for a longtime and ignored them until the damage to my nerves may be irreversible. I shouldn't have waited so long, especially when I was advised to have the surgery 10 years ago. I'm a very young appearing 52 year old, but my insides appear much older. The neurologist who saw me said that they only see this level of nerve damage in 80 year olds, which prompted me to have the surgery.

I had severe foraminal narrowing at C4-5 and stenosis, as well as significant signs of nerve damage, so I had an anterior fusion at that level to relieve the pressure on those nerves and they removed the hardware from my previous ACDF on C6-7. I have severe degenerative disc disease throughout my spine and had a fusion in the lumbar area as well.

I also work full-time and have chronic pain, but I have a great team of doctors. I had to kiss a few frogs along the way,but finally found the right ones. I was disabled for 2 years, but went back to work as a nurse 8 years ago with the help of pain management.

I think you are very likely a surgical candidate from what you are sharing. Listen carefully to your docs, pick one that makes sense and that you trust and if you are a surgical candidate and you are willing, then let the games begin! Your objective weakness is disconcerting so don't wait too long or it may be permanent, surgery or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubious (Post 1016232)

Dubious, don't know if you were responding to me or not, but I am just 4 weeks into my recovery from an ACDF.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffntate (Post 1016004)

HELP - very worried.

I've started dropping cups and knocking things over with my weak arm, and anytime I do anything significant with it, it hurts like the devil for hours.

Time to see a neurosurgeon. It sounds like your symptoms are progressing. Good luck!