Gait Issues - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

sunshine221 · 12-03-2006, 11:53 AM

Quick question - any of you with C6-C7 related gait issues. Has anyone shown improvement? Sorry, just getting frustrated.

I had a scare this week in that probably my off gait has cause sciatic problems and of course totally thown off my exercise routine - I did 10min on treadmill for the first time in a week, couldn't get to 30min. I hope to swim tomorrow.

My docs are pushing botox for the spasticity in the leg - will be seeing a specialist in January about this. A friend last night said - keep seeking opinions - just because the NS tells me I have perm damage in the cord doesn't mean I should accept that. I have been gathering names of people in NYC, Phli, Boston, Cleveland, etc, but I'm not sure how to proceed and frankly what type of doc to see -- I assume physiatrist or neurologist - the NS tells me that there really isn't anything else that can be done surgically but one of the referals I have in NYC is a NS (but his website doesn't list BCBS as one of his accepted insurances).

Anyway - just ranting a bit, but any imput is appreciated.

sunshine221 · 12-04-2006, 12:00 PM

"permanent cord damage"
I've seen the MRI and what the doc is pointing out as damage, so I have a vision I can understand - I'm an engineer by training, so it makes sense.

That said, I still do everything logical and illogical to hope that the nerve signals do redevelop properly over time- that includes prayer, swimming, Curves, treadmill, misc exercises from PT, etc. I sometimes spend up to 2 hr a day exercising, before work swimming and after work for the others - it eats into personal and volunteer activity time - but I feel I have to do it.

-Gloria