MRI Results - Severe Spinal Stenosis - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

poopoopadoop · 03-16-2007, 07:37 PM

Hi, All,
This is my first time posting here. i have 2 surgical consults scheduled with top NYC drs in 2 wks. I am wondering what your impressions are of these findings. From what I read on these boards, it seems like I will need the surgery. I wonder what kind of surgery I will likely need.

I'd like to give you the summary of my MRI:

Impressions: Severe spinal stenosis at C5-6, attributed to herniated disc and osteophyte, with associated localized spinal cord compression, resulting in edema and/or myelomalacia.

I went for the MRI after having months of pins and needles feeling and numbness, clumsiness in my L hand and arm. My EMG test was normal. A month of PT (3x/wk) has done nothing.

More excerpts from the MRI report: at C6-7 "mild to moderate annular bulge." And at C4-5, "there is moderate left paracentral ventral extradural defect, attributed to assymetrically bulging disc tissue, osteophyte, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament."

Thanks so much for any input - also, if I did need surgery, how long until I can return to work (I work part-time, mostly sitting, and create my own hours)? I also have a toddler and 6 year old - I wonder how long until I will be able to care for my toddler by myself (put him into a carseat, change his diaper).

Thanks so much,
Lisa

PearlDoves · 03-17-2007, 07:41 AM

Because you have the osteophyte, aka bone spur, the surgery that will most likely be offered is a Fusion. Anterior Cervical Discetomy and Fusion or ACDF.

I think the standard wait before going back to work is 6-8 weeks. Don't expect to do much of anything so its good to have someone with you at all times to make sure you are okay and that the toddler is taken care of as well. Its easy to fool yourself into thinking you can take on more when you shouldn't. Let everybody take care of you and don't feel guilty about it.

PNo · 03-18-2007, 01:50 PM

I agree, they will probably offer at least a 2 level ACDF for C4-6 but may be a 3 level ACDF on C4-7.

If they offer a 2 level surgery., you could expect more like a 8-12 week recovery. If they offer a 3 level surgery, that might be a little more to recover because you want to be careful to allow time for all the levels to start to fuse. This fusing process will take a long time, but you will be adding activity as you go. The biggest mistake we all make is we try to do too much too fast because we feel better soon after.

My experience has been that after first week, you will feel well enough to care for yourself and do simple things. Definitely, no household chores and driving for probably 8 - 12 weeks or a little more with this many levels. No lifting anything over weight of a gallon of milk.

If you do lots of computer you might aggravate your pain for a while. My advice is prepare for the worst and hope for the best. LIke prepare to be off work for 3 months and hopefully you will return earlier like 8 weeks. After the first two weeks, you can probably do most care of the kids, with a little creativity. Definitely do not lift that toddler!

Keep posting!

poopoopadoop · 03-18-2007, 05:45 PM

I am shocked that I will need such an involved surgery. My history is that when I was 16 I had whiplash from sports. No other injuries since then (I am in my late 30s). I have been playing aggressive tennis

recently, though. I love(d) it. Anyway, I have 2 surgical consults coming up and will post afterwards. I am so worried about my toddler (who is so cuddly) -- how will I be able to snuggle him or show him affection with this surgery? I can't hold him - can he sit on my lap? Oh man.

Also, anyone know the best surgeons in NYC or in the whole country for this kind of thing? I would fly to go to the best person if nec.

And lastly, I WOULD like a longer hospital stay if nec - my house is nuts with my boys. I wonder what the longest time span is that I can stay?

Thanks so much,
Lisa
ps - thanks for everyone's old posts - I read almost all of them over the past week!!

moonchaser · 03-18-2007, 06:10 PM

Hi Lisa,
I also have been diagnosed with severe cervical spinal stenosis, along with cervical disc protrusion. Like you, I suffered from tingling, numbness and weakness in my left arm and hand. I do not have osteophytes though, although my current PT is suspect of that based on what she feels when doing traction with me. What's puzzling them is how utterly tight and locked my back muscles continue to be, even as the neck muscles finally start to respond. I have a lot of pain in my mid-thoracic area.

I'm curious as to your medical path thus far. You have two surgical consults lined up - did your doc refer you surgically right away based on your results or have you also done any conservative treatments like PT or epidural injections? I'm still trying PT as a first option. I'm having limited success. My tingling is less in my hand, so I'm hoping I can avoid surgery.

Do keep us posted on your progress. As I said, I'd also love to know what you've tried thus far for non-surgical treatment. Good luck!