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Myelomalacia: Let's connect
I recently had a MRI of my cervical spine and moderate to severe myelomalacia was discovered. I already have a C3 to C5 fusion. Symptoms include pain in arms, neck and shoulders, off balance, light headed, difficulty picking up small items. Has anyone else experienced this diagnosis? What has been done about it? Seeing a neurosurgeon soon but not excited about another neck surgery. However what I read about it says if left untreated could cause serious nerve issues. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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@jenniferhunter who are the doctors at mayo that have knowledge of this condition? I am looking to find someone at Mayo's rather than my hometown where it is not well known.
@lcsw0799 @sarahmargaret Spine surgeons and Neurologists should have knowledge of myelomalacia and spine disorders due to compression of nerves and/or the spinal cord. If a condition has progressed to myelomalcia, that may be a permanent condition representing permanent damage. During spine surgery, nerves and the spinal cord are decompressed by removing something. In my case, that was a bad disc that ruptured in my neck that grew bone spurs pressing into my spinal cord. I had surgery before permanent damage happened, and I had great results. Every patient is different and may also come with comorbidities that affect the outcome. Healing takes a long time.
I came to Mayo Rochester for my 6th specialist consult and had surgery there. My consultant was Jeremy Fogelson. If you have a spine issue, start with a spine surgeon. They will schedule the other specialists they need in diagnosing such as a neurologist whom they work with routinely. Dr. Fogelson is excellent and has great demand for his appointments. There are other good spine specialists there too. I picked Dr. Fogelson because other surgeons (not at Mayo) were missing my diagnosis, and I read one of his papers that referred to symptoms similar to mine, so I knew he would understand my case.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/fogelson-jeremy-l-m-d/bio-20055624
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