memer - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

br5512 · 05-01-2003, 07:32 PM

memer,,,had surgery on 1/21/03 and yes to your question i had severe myelopathy at those 2 levels,,that surgery was my only option,,had 2nd opinion from my brother in law who is a surgeon in pittsburgh and he confirmed needed surgery pronto,,,,,,, also it was so severe that it effected my legs,,balance and motor skills, it doesnt have to be lower back problems to affect the legs.the pressure on the spinal cord in the cervical area can affect one`s gait (walk)
you can find that out on any site concerning myelopathy,,for your surgeon to say that your neck cant control your legs has me concerned,,,hope he didnt nick any nerves during surgery and is covering his butt,,but wait till u get your mri back of lower back(lumbar),,,also surprised your whole back wasn`t mri to begin with,,,,,keep in touch,and good luck
br

Memer · 05-07-2003, 09:53 AM

br,

Sorry I didn't see this post. NS ordered the LS-spine MRI. I'll have it tomorrow. I'm praying that all my disks there are in great shape. I have wondered myself about the neck surgery affecting my legs since I never had a problem with my left leg until after surgery. NS explains that lying in one position so long can cause a disk to herniate in the LS-spine. Other docs/people have said that doesn't sound right. Anyway, I'll have the MRI and hope to God that it shows everything to be where it should be and then go from there. It's sounds like you were in way worse shape than I was before surgery. Basically, all I had was neck & arm pain, some tingling in the arm, and shooting pains with head movement down both arms. The shooting pains have not recurred since surgery, and neither has the tingling. I now just have pain in the neck and arm and the new leg pain with numbness. I hope you are getting better. I realize how lucky I am when I read about those of you who have trouble walking and using your hands.

Memer

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[This message has been edited by Memer (edited 08-04-2003).]