questions? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

kag · 06-29-2003, 11:59 AM

New here,

Just wanted to know if anyone that had cervical problems, like stenosis, because I'm having some left leg and ankle problems. I think I have a bilateral situation going on. I've had an MRI and a x-ray of the neck a while back but both showed negative. There are also shoulder and arm problems too. Anyone else have similar problems. Thanks for any input.

Kag

Mag311 · 06-29-2003, 01:51 PM

Kag-
Welcome to the boards! I am semi-new here myself, but I have found everyone very welcoming and informative. I am sorry to hear about your pain. I am guessing you have been to see a doctor since you have had a MRI done. What did your doctor say? Did he give you any outlook on your problem? I have similar problems to yours. I was in a car accident almost three years ago and they first thought my neck problems was just a strain. I continued to have pain after Physical Therapy and taking muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatories. After being persistant with my doctors over the years I am finally starting to clarify my condition. I have a bulging disc at C6-C7 that was a minimal bulge after the accident but it keeps getting worse. I have taken very good care of it too

I also have DDD (degenerative disc disease). After trying everything (PT, epidural injections, medications, traction, etc..) I will be having artifical disc surgery in september. The only advise that I can give you is be sure to monitor your condition closely. If you are still in pain...you should go check in with your doctor at least every three monthes. You should have an MRI every 6 monthes if you are in pain as well. That way you can see the progression, if it is getting worse or not. If is easier to find solutions when you know what you are dealing with. Also, if you haven't already get a high defination MRI. Alot of the times doctors order low defination MRI"s and they don't show much! They are more photos...you need to make sure you get a good one. I learned this the hard way! Goodluck, and I hope everything comes together for you and they find the problem, so they can fix it. To me not knowing "exactly" what was wrong was sometimes more frustrating then the pain.
Maggie

kag · 06-29-2003, 04:11 PM

Hi Maggie,

I'm not up to date on MRI's what is a high definition one? I'm not sure which one I had? This pain all started 4 years ago when I was at school. I've had 4 shoulder surgeries thinking it was that but realizing it might not have been. I still get neck stiffness everyday along with leg stiffness and ankle pain on the left. Is it possible to get all this with a neck problem? I'm so frustrated!! I really son't want to go through anlother surgery after all that I've been through already. I also get this feeling of being like drunk when my neck really starts t go stiff on me. Thanks for all your information.

kag

jdog · 06-29-2003, 08:02 PM

Kag -

I've had a 3 level ACDF at C4/5/6/7 and 9 months later a MRI showed I have stenosis at C5/6. I have aches in my upper biceps like I have been working out. They are pretty much constant. The pain is not sharp, but it is always there. I have just sent an email to Dr. Jho in Pittsburg to see if he will review my films to see if I can benefit from his minimally invasive surgery.

I also have lumbar problems as well. Have you had a Lumbar MRI to see if your leg pains come from there? I know it can come from the cervical area, but just wondering if you had made sure.

jdog

kag · 06-29-2003, 08:16 PM

HI jdog,

No, I haven't had an MRI of my lumbar area yet but that might not be such a bad idea. I think I'll just go back for an appt. and ask for the MRI works. I haven't had any surgery on my neck before just on my shoulders. But that doesn't seem to have been the real problem. thanks for your advice.

Kag