Connect
← Return to Cervical stenosis: Wait or treat?
Discussion
Cervical stenosis: Wait or treat?
Spine Health | Last Active: Sep 24, 2021 | Replies (22)Comment receiving replies
Hello, all! I'm already feeling like an old-timer around here. I've one question this afternoon, and I'll try to be brief: I'm 76. I've been diagnosed with cervical myelopathy, and have been offered (although I've yet to say yay or nay) outpatient C5-7 ACDF surgery. My only complaint is my unsteady gait; although I've not fallen, I believe it's only a matter of time. Otherwise, I've no complaints (and no pain). My question (a three-parter) is this: Have any of you had a similar problem with your walking (balance)? Did you undergo outpatient ACDF surgery? and (finally!) what was the outcome? (Did your walking improve and to what degree?) Thanks! ––Ray
Replies to "Hello, all! I'm already feeling like an old-timer around here. I've one question this afternoon, and..."
Connect
@ray666 Hi Ray, Jennifer here with an answer to all 3 of your questions... YES... YES... and YES.
I had an unsteady gait and walked with a limp during the times when I had more pressure on my already compressed spinal cord when the vertebrae were shifted by a muscle spasm. It was an intermittent problem and when my therapist realigned my vertebrae toward a normal curvature and straightened out the twisted vertebrae, I walked normally again.... until the next spasm threw it off again.
Yes ACDF C5/C6 with only a cadaver bone spacer and no hardware.
The outcome is I walk normally now and you have heard all my stories about how I regained my functioning of my arms. I have not had any unsteady gait at all since my surgery, other than rehab after a broken ankle last year. I also used to get vertigo from my spine issues and that stopped and muscle spasms were much better after surgery. I may have something happening now and I have an MRI scheduled to find out. It has been 5 years since the original surgery.