SPINAL STENOSIS - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

WILKI706 · 01-24-2003, 03:31 PM

MY DOCTOR JUST DIAGNOISED ME WITH SPINAL STENOSIS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND WAS WONDERING IF ANY ONE COULD HELP ME OUT WITH INFO ON IT. I HAVE THE NUMBNESS IN THE ARMS AND HANDS AND ALSO IN THE LEGS.
HE ALSO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT NECK ARTHRITIS. I AM GOING NEXT WEEK TO SPEAK TO HIM ABOUT SURGERY.
ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU

eraskas · 01-25-2003, 09:06 PM

You should be able to get alot of information from this board. Spinal stenosis is a generic term for a narrowing of opening in the spine where the spinal cord goes through. Usually that narrowing causes pressure on the spinal cord and thus results in a possible plurality of symptoms including numbness in the extremeties or other parts of the body and possible awkward or compromised gait. Most importantly, it is essential that the problem is surgically dealt with if the doc recommends it. You should check out the qualifications of the doc and then understand exactly the nature of the surgery. If it is a good doc than you can be relatively confident if nothing else that progression of the symptoms will stop after the surgery, and with G-d's help, you should be able to regain some of the function that was lost as a result of the pressure on the spinal cord. I hope that was helpful.

I also recently had surgery on spinal cord decompression and I am in the recovery phase at this time.

WILKI706 · 01-27-2003, 05:46 AM

Thank you so much for your reply, out of 49 people that read my post, you were the only one that helped me out. It is greatly appreciated.
I am being told to go get a second opinion, but from what I read on line everything reads the same.
I have been dealing with this since the beginning of the summer and it has seem to have gotten worse. The numbness in the hands makes me not feels too many things that I hold and my walking isn't getting any better. Like I said, I am going to him Wednesday to go more into detail with the Doctor.
Again thank you very much.

Janatee · 01-31-2003, 04:46 PM

Hello Wilki706, Just wanted to say, that I also have spinal stenosis. I have had this now for 3 years, and my symptoms are getting bad. It effects my left leg, to the point that I can not hardly walk now for more then 30 min. without sitting to rest. I can bend about 3 times and then I'm done for the day. I have had many many MRI's and last summer had traction. 2 days a week and up to 100lbs. of pull. I felt so much better, but after that stopped, it didn't take lone for my disc to compress again, and I started all over. The next step for me is surgery. I have a bone spur that is pushing into the nerve causing numbness and the gait. I have tried to live with this, but I.m only 48 and I don't want to be this way if there is a cure and help. I will also research for a good qualified doctor. I will be returning to NJ this summer, and will look toward Philadelphia Hospitals, such as Thomas-Jefferson, Univerity of Penn. and so on. I want the best guy to cut on me, if you know what I mean. Good luck. Hope you will do ok. Jan PS: I would think NY has many good hopitals also.

angelfan · 02-04-2003, 08:46 PM

Hi Wilki706,
I noticed you live in Syosset - I'm in Sayville. Had to respond to let you know of my surgeon. Had four level laminectomy C3,4,5,6 with fusion, rods, etc. about 19 months ago at Beth Israel's INN Institute, which was started by Dr. Fred Epstein (see Sunday, 02/02 Newsday article by Ed Lowe in Part 2 regarding the institute). I had cervical myelopathy, affecting everything from the neck down. Had surgery by Dr. David Langer - the absolute best! I can't say enough about him and about the INN at Beth Israel. Was back home in 7 days. The treatment, both physical and emotional, given by this doctor, his staff, and the hospital is unbelievable. I think, before you do anything, you might want to take a trip in to get a second opinion from him.. Just a suggestion, but for me it was a very long journey to find out my problem, and then find a doctor I trusted with my life. In any event, I wish you the very best and hope you find relief. Please let me know if I can be of any help to you. God Bless!
Angelfan