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"Severe" cervical spine stenosis
I lost much of the use of my left hand about 16 months ago (the ability to 'adduct' my thumb to my fingers). MRIs showed multiple level stenosis and root compression- the worst being C7-T1 where the AP diameter was 5mm. I have hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) - which probably caused my spinal issues as my spine has always been very hypermobile and I have multilevel lumbar stenosis too. But probably the EDS is more relevant because the incidence of ASD with EDS is very high. I also have two severe thrombophilia's (clotting disorders) which have nearly killed me. My surgeon wants to do a 3 possibly 4 level ACDF. I am VERY reluctant due to the above. (Better wonky than dead scenario). How bad is an AP of 5mm? Is watch and wait a realistic option? As an aside the 14/12 debate is due to personal circumstances - lost my sister and mum, dad diagnosed with end stage cancer and husband with cancer in the last 12 months....
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Sorry - that should be delay not debate! Autocorrect should be banned haha
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1 ReactionIf you are in pain this procedure will help. Have you gotten a second opinion? Spine surgery is tough...and even tougher the older you are.
No pain just loss of function.
@hastobekatt
I have most of what you have. I have a clotting issue but mine is more risk for clotting than risk for not clotting.
A diameter of 5mm is suffocating your spinal cord of blood flow and oxygen and spinal fluid. An average person has a diameter of 13-15mm. Yours is extremely compressed with is a cervical myelopathy spinal cord injury. You can become paralyzed if you fall so it is a priority to get surgery to stop the further damage to your spinal cord. This compression damage can become permanent.
I had ACDF surgery on c5-c6 and soon to have ACDF surgery on c6-c7. I have a herniated disc at c6-c7 that is making my already congenitally narrow spinal canal only 8mm.
You should ask your surgeon if your cervical MRI shows that you have a congenitally narrow spinal canal (believe this would be anything 10mm or less which is what I have). I started having problems in my 40s and I am now in my 50s. People with congenital stenosis have more issues with degenerative changes earlier than others (many don’t have issues until they are in their 60s).
@hastobekatt
I have some permanent weakness in shoulders, arms and hands due to misdiagnosis of my degenerative cervical myelopathy. It took over 5 years and 4 different orthopedic spine surgeons to properly diagnose me. It got to the point I was dropping things and handwriting worsened plus was losing bladder control and had a hard time walking (felt like I was wearing cement boots). I had some improvement after surgery and symptoms returned when I got a new herniated disc at c6-c7.