Post Op symptoms and cord swelling?

[Lauren]

Hi - I'm wondering if any of you who experienced cervical myelopathy (leg and gait issues) prior to surgery had continued to have the same symptoms?

I had my surgery in Bogen Germany 4.5 months ago (ProDiscC at c3/4, 4/5 and 6/7 with prior fusion at C5/6) and have been getting increasing symptoms in my right leg. Over the last 2 weeks my neck has been acting like it has had a whip lash, which it has not - stiff and sore and my leg symptoms have gone from just lower leg to upper leg also. Anyone else experience this after surgery?

And does anyone have any idea how long it takes for the spinal cord to calm down after severe stenosis?

Thanks,
Lauren

[Harrison]

Lauren,

Sorry to reply with questions:

- what did your post-op imaging studies show in your cervical spine?
- have you had any imaging recently; what US doc is doing your follow-up?
- how was your lumbar spine before surgery...and now?
- did you take any NSAIDs or any anti-inflammatories post-operatively?
- how bad is your pain levels, where is the pain, how are you managing it?

We've discussed NSAIDs many times, particularly within the context of post-op cervie patients. It is thought that NSAIDs may quell any inflammation and HO related to the surgical approach and the bone cutting of the vertebral bodies -- particularly for keeled devices.

A few related topics, which are related but may or may not apply to your situation are below. Nonetheless, I hope they are helpful:

What are Osteophytes, Bone Spurs, HO?

NSAIDs after Surgery?

Heterotopic Ossification in Total Cervical ADR

[CP7959]

Lauren,

I had leg symptoms that actually got worse after cervical surgery due to cord compression. I had odd sensations from my feet to upper thigh. I would say it took about 4-5 months for things to begin to calm down. My surgeon said that some people just have very sensative nerves / cord and experience all kinds of "weird" sensations. I could actually feel nerve sensations behind my stomach, lungs and other areas, really strange. Very hypersensitive.

Not sure of any of this helps you, but nerves are a funny thing, try and be patient.

[Lauren]

Thanks for the responses. It helps a lot to hear from others who have had similar symptoms.
As for your questions, Harrison, the post-op films (xrays at 1 day, 2 months and 3.5 months all showed good placement, easy flexion and extension and "normal soft tissue". No MRI done post-op, so of course they can't really see the soft tissue.

Yes, I take NSAIDS daily, 2 or 3 times a day most of the time. I often forget. They seem to make a big difference. Yes, I have lumbar issues that are mild. Bulges at L3/4, L4/5 that have been there for years. I manage them through Egoscue (corrective exercise - I'm a practitioner) and it seems to keep things normalized except after surgery. I haven't been able to do my workout since long before the surgery. I'm just getting back to it now. Perhaps that will alleviate the feelings in my leg.

It's true that I have about 30% more reaction in my nerves than most folks, per the neurologists. So it could very well be that I am feeling things that most folks have but don't feel.

Thanks much for the input. I will be more patient with myself!
Lauren

[Fuzzy]

I was operated also by Dr. B. at c4/5/6 for cervical mylepathy. Problems in my feet mostly temperature miss sensation, burning, stinging and cold feet with occasional numbness and also then starting in my hands and then I got weak spells with hot fllashes in my legs after exercise that involved vibration to my hands and arms (neck!). After surgery it was slighly better and not quite as dramatic in my feet and much less numbness in my hands but it is still there. I still get tingles in my feet mostly on the right from flexing my neck forward (flexion myleopathy) and my feet go cold and burn. Tingles in my hand durng the same time (but improved from before surgerry). All agrevated by vibrations. Like a bumpy road for example. I am better but it is stil there and I wonder whether I should have had a 3 level as c5/c6 looked borderline but it was decided to exclude it. I have a strong pain radiation from my operated neck area down into my left arm that was surgery induced and shows no sign of relenting and maybbe getting worse (increased activity????) . I have been taking ibuprofen since day 7 post surgery but it is not enough to bee able to work so I had to go back on to vicodin (hydrocodone) to help at times with this searing neckpain that is just a stinger. At times i can't even lift my hand. Resting neck against rest or lying down it improves. It is not simply musclepain.
i am now 7 month post op with xray followup showing good placement the same as on day one. No mayor follow up so far but I am thinking i might have to start looking for help beyond my general practitioner.

So recap, I am slighly better then before (oh btw, much less headaches!) but still plenty of problems. Sometimes it seemes like it might be worsening again but not in a major way. But i sure have not seen any improvement since 6 weeks post surgery other then the inproved pain inside my spine at the surgery site and I swallow better but everything else is unchanged, including this darn neckpain.