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Unexplained worsening numbness after surgery

Posted by mllyster @mllyster, Nov 6, 2023

In May of this year an MRI discovered that I had an epidural abscess in the upper thoracic region of C6-T5. An emergency laminectomy and evacuation of the abscess was preformed. There were no complications during surgery. I presented the MSSA bacterium and was put on intravenous Cloxacillin every 4 hours for 8 weeks. After surgery I had numbness in my left leg and foot. This has steadily gotten worse and now includes my right foot and the gluteal and inguinal regions. Basically it feels like I am sitting on a couple of hard balls even when standing or laying down. I have had EMG testing, 2 more MRIs, a Nuclear bone scan, and a Gallium bone scan since my operation. Multiple CRP blood tests to see if the infection has reoccurred. Everything seems to be normal. Trying to figure out where I can turn to next to get rid of this burning pain (literally in the butt)

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annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Nov 7, 2023

Hi Mllyster,

Sorry to hear about your problems- yikes!
I am not a doctor...
Have you seen a neurologist? Seems like it might be nerve pain. Maybe an orthorpedic doctor? I'm guessing that you have seen one or the other already, but asking just in case.

I have a bone spur at C7, which is just above the spot you mention (c6 T5). It causes tingling -- not quite pain-- in my left arm, hand, fingers. Only the left arm.

I did neck physical therapy, and it really helped the tingling in my hand and arm! They taught me stretches, good posture, work station set-up, and other stuff. The tingling comes back when I am not "good", but goes away when I am compliant.

Maybe one of your nerves got aggravated from the infection or surgery? Physical therapy might help.

I have done a lot of PT. I have found that I have to be really "obedient." I have to do everything they say-- or as close as I can get-- but the results have been wonderful. I have had to be patient, too, because the results for some body parts have taken a while, like months for my shoulder.

I hope you get some answers and you feel improvement soon! And my sincere sympathy about your situation.

REPLY
1 reply
mllyster | @mllyster | Nov 7, 2023
In reply to @annewoodmayo "Hi Mllyster, Sorry to hear about your problems- yikes! I am not a doctor... Have you..." + (show)
@annewoodmayo

Hi Mllyster,

Sorry to hear about your problems- yikes!
I am not a doctor...
Have you seen a neurologist? Seems like it might be nerve pain. Maybe an orthorpedic doctor? I'm guessing that you have seen one or the other already, but asking just in case.

I have a bone spur at C7, which is just above the spot you mention (c6 T5). It causes tingling -- not quite pain-- in my left arm, hand, fingers. Only the left arm.

I did neck physical therapy, and it really helped the tingling in my hand and arm! They taught me stretches, good posture, work station set-up, and other stuff. The tingling comes back when I am not "good", but goes away when I am compliant.

Maybe one of your nerves got aggravated from the infection or surgery? Physical therapy might help.

I have done a lot of PT. I have found that I have to be really "obedient." I have to do everything they say-- or as close as I can get-- but the results have been wonderful. I have had to be patient, too, because the results for some body parts have taken a while, like months for my shoulder.

I hope you get some answers and you feel improvement soon! And my sincere sympathy about your situation.

Jump to this post

Hi Anne,
I have tried pretty much everything. Acupuncture, physical therapy, Bowen therapy, reflexology, and today I go for Block therapy and then start on their program from home. Everything that I read say that the nerves that would be affected should be in my upper body and arms. My pain and numbness starts from my butt down 1. Making a bowel movement difficult because I don’t know if I need to 2. Socks are a killer let alone shoes. Not fun with winter coming.
The last EMG testing with the neurologist, his comment at the end of the report was, “I do not have a great explanation for why symptoms have worsened over the last few months”
Thank you for reaching out

REPLY
1 reply
annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Nov 7, 2023
In reply to @mllyster "Hi Anne, I have tried pretty much everything. Acupuncture, physical therapy, Bowen therapy, reflexology, and today..." + (show)
@mllyster

Hi Anne,
I have tried pretty much everything. Acupuncture, physical therapy, Bowen therapy, reflexology, and today I go for Block therapy and then start on their program from home. Everything that I read say that the nerves that would be affected should be in my upper body and arms. My pain and numbness starts from my butt down 1. Making a bowel movement difficult because I don’t know if I need to 2. Socks are a killer let alone shoes. Not fun with winter coming.
The last EMG testing with the neurologist, his comment at the end of the report was, “I do not have a great explanation for why symptoms have worsened over the last few months”
Thank you for reaching out

Jump to this post

I'm so sorry...
I guess that they did check the rest of your spine and sacrum, too?
I'm really reaching here, but maybe an orthopedic doctor might have an idea? A new angle to consider?

Winter- I'm dreading it, too. Maybe the el nino snow will be pretty to see out the window, at least. (Now, that last comment was really stretching the limits of believe-ability. ha!)

It's discouraging when the docs admit they don't know, isn't it? In addition to my arm/hand issue, the left side of my face, tongue and eyelids get numb, and they (neurologist and ear, nose and throat doc) don't know why. ENT guesses that it's from my autoimmune disease. I'm fortunate that it isn't painful yet, just annoying and really strange and unsettling mentally. You truly have my sympathy!
I hope that some of the other folks here have some good ideas for you.
Have you seen "Inspiring Quotes" and "Just for a Laugh" (or similar names) sections here on Mayo? They help me a lot.

REPLY
1 reply
mllyster | @mllyster | Nov 7, 2023
In reply to @annewoodmayo "I'm so sorry... I guess that they did check the rest of your spine and sacrum,..." + (show)
@annewoodmayo

I'm so sorry...
I guess that they did check the rest of your spine and sacrum, too?
I'm really reaching here, but maybe an orthopedic doctor might have an idea? A new angle to consider?

Winter- I'm dreading it, too. Maybe the el nino snow will be pretty to see out the window, at least. (Now, that last comment was really stretching the limits of believe-ability. ha!)

It's discouraging when the docs admit they don't know, isn't it? In addition to my arm/hand issue, the left side of my face, tongue and eyelids get numb, and they (neurologist and ear, nose and throat doc) don't know why. ENT guesses that it's from my autoimmune disease. I'm fortunate that it isn't painful yet, just annoying and really strange and unsettling mentally. You truly have my sympathy!
I hope that some of the other folks here have some good ideas for you.
Have you seen "Inspiring Quotes" and "Just for a Laugh" (or similar names) sections here on Mayo? They help me a lot.

Jump to this post

Orthopaedic doctor is my next step, but I need to have a referral. So more bloodwork today and the 21st, a uroflow test on Thursday, and then another MRI on December 5th. When they phone with results of that, I will be able to talk to the neurologist and my neurosurgeon and see if they can give me more information and a referral.
Chin up, any day above ground is a good day 😊

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