what helps with hands, arms nerve damage - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Wymom94 · 11-28-2008, 11:23 AM

Hi, I had my acdf in April and it was successful in decompressing my spine and stopping further damage, but it made it obvious that the damage I already had in my hands and arms was permanent. The holidays are making that a little depressing as I'm trying to do more (decorating, cooking more, shopping, etc). Also, my son has chronic illness (multiple) and also has pain and problems in/with his feet and legs and I want help him with it and often find that I can't do what I want to for him (or what he needs). That REALLY bothers me -of course. What helps or what corners can you cut or shortcuts can you take when your hands and arms vary with numbness, pain, and 'weakeness'? It gets frustrating to do so much less than I want to or have to stop what I'm doing all together -and then recoup for having done too much. I don't even think it was this hard before surgery, but I guess it was and I just so hoped it would get better that I'm letting myself 'mope' b/c it isn't going to. I have carpal tunnel in both wrists as well as nerve damage from my cervical spine (and arthritis in my hands, mild), but I recently had my cortisone shots (both wrists) and expected to feel a lot better by 'knocking one out' -thought it would improve things a lot for me to just deal with the hand arthritis and nerve damage alone. It doens't seem to be working out that way, though, and I'm getting a little depressed with how hard things are (to do). I know others in this world have things a LOT harder, but with my own life, I'm just feeling a little out of sorts with my own mini-hard lot. I'd love to know what helps everyone else.
-Meghan/Wymom

minstrel2 · 11-28-2008, 04:48 PM

Hi Meghan
I'm new to these boards, but have been reading them for a while. I had ACDF in June (C6-7, T1 with bone graft and plate) to stabilize a very compressed spinal cord. I had lots of issues, but as far as hands and arms, I still have numbness and tingling, burning at elbows, but my strength was greatly improved with 6 weeks of PT. I couldn't use my right index and little fingers to play the piano, or type and now I can. That was critical for me, since I am a musician and also have a business that requires lots of computer use. My grip strength improved also. I couldn't turn the door knob before with my left hand, now I can. I find that I still need to use the putty to keep my strength. I have lots of other areas that were worked on including balance, gait and also lumbar issues. I keep working in the therapy pool on my own and keep focusing on what I can do. I still have a ways to go, but I'm so grateful that I can play the piano again. Therapy for me was a Godsend.
Best to you. Kay