Bicep atrophy due to C5 nerve root compression. Have you seen this?

Hello @debbiepinkston59 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine how alarming this must be for him given his profession.

Members such as @jenniferhunter and @jacklynn12 may be able to share more about craniocervical instability and whether or not they have noticed any atrophy as a result.

Has your son had a recent neuro consult to review the changes he has noticed? If so, what was the outcome?

@debbiepinkston59 I had also responded to your other post. I had been looking up information and the biceps would be affected by problems at the nerve roots in the areas of C4 through C6. Does he have imaging that shows spinal cord compression? With craniocervical instability and bulging discs in C4-C6, there could possible be multiple points of compression of the spinal cord.

I did experience muscle atrophy of biceps , triceps, and muscles on the back of the shoulder on the scapula. Spine surgery decompressing my spinal cord improved all of that. I lost about half of my muscle volume and got back about half of what lost, so I still have a bit of a deficit although my functioning is pretty normal.

Can you share any information from imaging reports or a specialist opinion? Does he have a diagnosis of myelopathy or myomalacia?

Hi Jennifer, thank you so much for responding. He has an upright MRI and a DMX, showing CCI, and brain stem compression has been mentioned as a symptom of CCI, but nerve root compression hasn't been discussed as a cause of the atrophy. I'm just now becoming educated on this. Your response has been very helpful! I will talk to my son about getting a second opinion at Mayo with the surgeon who did your surgery.
Thank you!

@debbiepinkston59 I did not have nerve root compression, and my symptoms of muscle atrophy came solely from spinal cord compression in my neck and some shifting of my vertebrae that made it worse or better depending on how it all lined up. I would encourage your son to apply for Mayo now because there will be a wait to be seen. Mayo would need to answer on scheduling, but a typical wait time may be 3 months or more as I was told when I applied. They do prioritize cases. If there is a cancellation, you could be called sooner for an appointment, so you may want to look at logistics of travel and accommodations, so you'll be able to act quickly if an appointment is offered. You may want to also send in measurements of losses from muscle atrophy and perhaps photos of that when they ask for imaging for review. You can also write a letter detailing the history of this condition and the symptoms he is experiencing. How long has it been since you noticed the muscle loss?

@jenniferhunter Hi Jennifer, may i ask how long was muscle atrophied before surgery?

@mkrylowski Welcome to Connect. It was my physical therapist who noticed it. Muscle loss was on the back of my shoulders and upper arm. It was probably about 6 months before surgery and I was feeling more pain symptoms in my neck and arms. I did have pain all over my body and even pain in my legs and feet that was coming from spinal cord compression in my neck. I am 10 years post op now and doing well. No other issues, and I have had PT to maintain strength. I also own a horse and riding helps me with core strength that supports my spine.

Thanks Jennifer! Appreciate quick response and happy about your continued progression. I just bit the bullet, I've had a pinched nerve at C5/6 which caused atrophy on left arm and back. (August last year) Tried physical therapy and got back some strength not so much size. Lost over an inch and half off L arm. I was living with it, then had an acute event which started to affect other side and starting to get weakness recently. I vouched for a disk replacement today in hope of healing and stop any atrophy before happens on the right side.

Definitely putting core work first in my future workouts as realizing how important it is.

Wish you and myself continued healing 🙂

Good morning, everyone, I just saw this post regarding muscle atrophy from nerve compression, and I have a question about my having the opposite thing happen to my back muscles, as they are larger than they were, and larger than the muscles on the left side of my spine.

Last year I had Nerve Conductivity and EMG testing done, and it was discovered I have Denervation at T12-L1 of my spine. However, what threw every doctor off was the fact my back muscles on the right side have Hypertrophied, not Atrophied. The muscles are obviously larger on the right, as you can see them protruding with your naked eye. One doctor was giving me Trigger Point Injections in the muscles she could see, as they are constantly locked on the right side, causing pain from when I get up until I go to bed. The only relief I get is laying on my back, and after 15 or 20 minutes, everything seems to relax.

I have tried Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Trigger Point Injections, Cupping, Physical Therapy, and several types of massage. Nothing has had any effect on my back muscles. They are constantly locked no matter what. Does anyone have any idea about the locking and/or Hypertrophy of these muscles?

Thank you for reading!