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Cervical disks and heaviness and numbness in legs

Posted by rico2 @rico2, Jul 11, 2024

I have posted before about ACDF 4/5 but now I have new symptoms and neurosurgeon says it’s back related - which I do have a very bad back from military. About one week after starting PT on neck for numbness and tingling in right arm I developed heaviness in legs and feet feel like there are 10 pound weights on them. It’s hard to walk as I don’t know when one or both legs will give out. I actually fell because my right leg stopped responding for a few minutes.

According to research I have done on Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and others it seems it can be caused by cervical problems. Anyone else see this happen?

Should add I have 3/4 cervical disk is herniated and stenosis all along cervical with spondylosis

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walterjulius | @walterjulius | 6 days ago
In reply to @dlydailyhope "I had c5c6 ACDF surgery due to cervical spondylitic myelopathy which is spinal cord compression/injury (also..." + (show)
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I had c5c6 ACDF surgery due to cervical spondylitic myelopathy which is spinal cord compression/injury (also have DDD/spinal stenosis). You should see your orthopedic spine specialist asap and get an updated MRI to see if something has changed and is now compressing your spinal cord again (especially after fall and after PT). Myelopathy can cause permanent injury. The heaviness in your legs sounds like cervical spinal cord (can also cause weakness in arms/hands where you drop things or have difficulty writing). I also have lumbar spinal stenosis/DDD/sciatica and have pain, numbness, weakness in hips, buttocks, legs and feet plus balance issues. My stenosis is congenital since birth and desk job 30+ years hasn’t helped. I am considering lumbar surgery since I am having difficulty walking, using stairs, standing, sitting, etc.

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@dlydailyhope how successful was your surgery for c5c6, and what are you planning to do about your lumbar, as I have the same condition? Any help greatly appreciated, thank you and good luck and best to you and your recovery and moving forward, literally!

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dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | 6 days ago
In reply to @walterjulius "@dlydailyhope how successful was your surgery for c5c6, and what are you planning to do about..." + (show)
Profile picture for walterjulius @walterjulius

@dlydailyhope how successful was your surgery for c5c6, and what are you planning to do about your lumbar, as I have the same condition? Any help greatly appreciated, thank you and good luck and best to you and your recovery and moving forward, literally!

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@walterjulius

I had c5-c6 done in 2022 and it helped relieve/improve my daily headaches, neck/shoulder pain, arm/hand weakness, bladder control and walking. I have some residual arm/hand weakness due to delayed diagnosis and treatment (spinal cord compression injury).

I had lumbar surgery L3-L5 in 2024 and it helped relieve pain/weakness and numbness from low back/hips/buttocks down to feet. I still have some residual pain/weakness in my hips/hip flexors but again it is due to longterm compression of spinal cord/nerve roots. I wish I would have had this surgery sooner.

I had c6-c7 ACDF surgery in 2025 and it helped with some of the arm/hand numbness, balance, and bladder control improved.

I have no regrets having the surgeries. Make sure to get a good surgeon that is highly rated and treats you with respect and a good communicator.

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