My physical therapist said I CAN'T still have numbness! - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

dck696 · 03-31-2003, 03:22 PM

I'm finishing up my therapy for C6-7 disk herniation & severe stenosis. I had shoulder/neck pain, and numbness in my hands & fingers, along with some leg problems.

My therapist asked how the shoulder/neck pain was, and I told her the therapy has helped that quite a bit, but I'm still as numb and weak as ever. She said "THAT CAN'T BE." I told her it was so, and she said "If your pain level is down, you CAN'T still be numb!"

I guess she thinks I'm lieing to her. What's that about?

That being said, given that the pain is better but the numbness/weakness is still there, do you think my neurosurgeon will want to do the fusion?

winged phantom · 03-31-2003, 03:52 PM

Of course you can still have numbness even though you may not be in pain. I don't know why people tell you you can't have something, even when you know good and well that you feel it! So, believe me, everyone here on this board will also believe you.

If you have severe stenosis, my unprofessional opinion is that you will also have the fusion. Stenosis is a progressive process, meaning it will get worse, at least eventually. It may stay the same for a while, or it may slowly get worse. And you might even have really bad stenosis without many symptoms. But if you know it's there, you need to follow your doctor's orders, or at least get second and even third opinions about surgery.

Welcome to the board....

wr

Nanner · 03-31-2003, 06:01 PM

My personal reaction to a PT who made comments like that would be to go to another PT. Any worth their salt should KNOW the pain goes away before the numbness. But that's just me

------------------
Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware

BABS42 · 04-01-2003, 09:49 AM

Dont you love how "they" tell us how we do and don't feel. It's hard enough keeping track of all these feelings, but for them to not believe you is ridiculous. I started PT two weeks ago, instead of jumping into surgery. The PT stopped the therapy that would directly help my discs because she said that its is making it worse. When they lay my head back, a little at atime, the numbness travels right up my arm, and tingles above the elbow, along with seeing sparkles. She actually said to me, some people just need the surgery. When they asked me to reschedule, I said why bother if its not going to help. Do they think this is fun, and that I have nothing better to do. Anyway I told them if it will help I will continue, if not why waste my time and limited benefit coverage, in case some time I need it when it CAN help. They did final comparison measurements to send to NS. I go back on the 9th. Not exactly what I wanted to hear. Sorry for rambling. Hope you get good news from your NS, and feel better. Babs

melanie dawn · 04-01-2003, 10:36 AM

HI , I think it might be time for a new PT. First off you live in your body and only you know what you are feeling. Secondly, many people with stenosis or nerve impingement progress form pain to numbness. At first the nerve is irritated, prolonged irritation can progess to numbness. I am always amazed when someone tells me what i am or am not feeling. I remember when i first started having trouble with my legs, one Dr. told me the legs cannot be related to the neck problems. That pretty much is a reaaly stupid comment, if a person breaks their neck , they are affected everywhere below that level. Believe me, I got another Doctor. You need to have a PT that is supportive of you, and knowledgeable. You should never have to leave an office or treatment with the impression that you have been thought of as a liar and your integrity questioned.
As you can tell, things like this really get under my skin.
I hope you have a good day, seems I just vented more than you did,

Mel