hand stiffness??? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

PNo · 03-11-2007, 02:46 PM

Hi eveyone, I was kind of curious about something that has recently been going on with me. I am a post-C4-7 fusion, and not completely well. My last surgery was 10.5 months ago. I never had mylepathy symptoms, just radicular pain, so I don't know is this is something like those symptoms you get with cord compression. I still have central canal stenosis issues so I guess this could be something new.

The past couple weeks, my hands have been developing a real stiffness, ache and pain like arthritis. I don't notice any weakness, but just real stiffness. It didn't come on slowly it just started one morning when I woke up. It is on both sides, but one side more than the other. I am going to keep an eye on this, but was curious if this is something others have either pre-acdfs or post??

BobM · 03-11-2007, 09:27 PM

Hello ***********:
I also am fused from C4 to C7 - I had two ACDFs, first in 2004 and the second in 2005. I had both radiculopathy and myelopathy. I am much better than I was, but don't feel entirely well yet - still some chronic pain in my neck and shoulders, and from time to time I get pain and twitching of muscles in my arms & hands, and around the scapulas on both sides - but much better now than before.

I share your experience of stiffness in both hands, left side more than right. I don't know how much this is related to the nerve damage in my C-spine, and how much is because I am not as active as I was before. The pain, twitching, and stiffness can come or go very suddently, which makes me think it is not something like arthritis or other inflammation. I'm learning to make the most of the better days, and to take it easy when things are acting up.
Bob

feelbad · 03-12-2007, 08:15 AM

hi neck,you know,having the central canal stenosis could be a possible issue,or it could be something that is affecting the fused areas themselves,its really hard to say.i have both actual spinal cord damage bt also have one heck of a screwed up c spine from alot of different issues.i know exactly what type of pain you are describing as i now have this in my R hand,the whole hand,not just certain areas where you could actually trace it back to a dermatome or something,it actully feels like a small toothache type pain but it is over the whole hand area.it is not hugely painful but just a constant dull ache?i don't understand it either and don't know what exact area is actually causing it.but just to maybe play it safe,it may not hurt to have another MRI with contrast done on your c spine to see if anything new is different with the fusion sits and to get a really good look at how that stenosis is within that canal.if it is affecting your actual spinal cord,you may need to discuss options with your neurosurgeon.you may need to also obtain a CT just to really get the best clearest look at the bone areas within the fusion sites if you happen to have any hardware since hardware tends to really blurr any areas with MRI.to actually really see the bone,a CT really is much better than MRI,but on the other hand,the MRI is best to really see the spinal cord level.but this should be evaluated,espescially if it is new or you are having any other symptoms.you just need to know whats going on in there.good luck,marcia

PNo · 03-12-2007, 01:46 PM

You guys described it well. Its a dull ache not that horrible nerve pain, and just a general stiffness. Next follow-up I will talk to the doc about it. I don't like to bring up every little ache and pain, but when a new symptom comes on and stays, it makes me notice. Thanks for your replies.

Braveheart07 · 12-05-2007, 07:05 AM

Hi NP
I know this is an older thread--so I don't know if this will help, but I have cervical myelopathy, herniation at c5-6, and osteophytes at several levels...I've not had any surgery yet...my left hand has the stiffness being described here....I can only open and close it about 1/2 as fast as my right, and my index finger, is the slowest finger on the left...whtat's wierd is that after I'm laying down for a while, and especially just before I get out of bed, the left hand is fine...rapidly opening and closing like the right........the one neuro I mentioned this to wasn't too concerned or impressed.....