paradiddle

I am scheduled for a left hand CTS. This is first of series of surgeries. I was first diagnosed with moderate stenosis and herniated discs at c4-c6 this past October 06 with NS. The only symptoms were numb hands and severe spasms in neck since MV accident May 05. I had done the whole PT , chiro routine 2x times over....

Anyway after Oct 06 I sought 2nd opinion with NS who didn't think I had enough symptoms and sent me for EMG. EMG found CT problem. 2nd NS sent me for 6 wks of PT with traction and splinting of hands. No improvement. I went for 3rd opinion with ortho ( who specializes in spine ). He thought MRI looks like surgery but symptoms do not. Very confused now and I am no better.

Went back to 1st NS to talk more as we didn't get too deep 1st time. 1st NS still thought 2 level acdf surgery was the way to go because he believes my condition will only become worse. He also thought that EMG was not very good at picking up myelopathy which may be causing hand numbness. I also have khyphosis which can be partially corrected at 2 levels. He looked at EMG report and though we should do CTS on non-dominant hand. If hand gets better we do right hand. If not then obviously ACDF is needed. ACDF is needed anyway in his opinion. I like this doc because his credentials are the best of the 3 I have seen. I realize no one has all the answers but I am at the point of needing to do something. I hope this all works out.