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Why does fixing one problem cause another

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  • Why does fixing one problem cause another

    In June I had my trapped shoulder blade fixed. Removing a part of it got it past the deformed rib. Now I am havng nerve pain down my right arm when I turn my head to the right.it is extreme if I am laying on my stomach. I mean cross your eyes extreme, if I turn my head to the right. I do not usually lay like that but we are trying to recover my shoulder. The shoulder surgeon said it isn't from my shoulder and sent me back to the spine doctor. A medrol pack helped for a week but it all came back.
    So I went to the spine doctor this week and he did some tests and told me I have muscle wasting in my lower arm and hand. His exact words were " I hope this is coming from the cervical and not the shoulder blade resection" My cervical is already fused c4 to c7. . I have an MRI on Thursday to check the next lower level. He called it c8.
    It seems that fixing one thing leads to the next problem.
    T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
    C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
    T2--T10 fusion 2/11
    C 4-5 fusion 11/14
    Right scapulectomy 6/15
    Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
    To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
    Broken neck 9/28/2018
    Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
    Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
    Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
    Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
    Osteotomy

  • #2
    I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear about this horrible pain and numbness in your neck and arms! You have been through so much already with this major scapular surgery. You have my prayers for sure.

    T1
    1st surgery: Fused T1-L3 in 1987 with contoured Harrington Rods. Rods broke at top.
    2nd surgery: Re-done two weeks later; fused C7-L3. Left in chronic pain.
    3rd surgery: Hardware removal 1997, but still pain for 30 years.
    4th Surgery: Fused to the sacrum in 2016. Came out of surgery with left foot paralysis. (Drop Foot) Can't walk on my own.
    I'm blessed to have found my peace and reason to live not from a husband or kids (I have none) but from God and within myself.

    Comment


    • #3
      I had the same exact symptoms a few months after my last surgery. I went through all the tests. They diagnosed tennis elbow. I went to 4 different doctors. They said it was from me moving and using that arm differently. It was first bought to be my neck. It takes 8-12 months to go away. Pains meds don't help. I think you might need muscle relaxers. Medrol pack helped only a little.

      Comment


      • #4
        Did you have pain in the elbow? I don't. Actually the sharp pain travels from the spine to the little finger and the ring finger. It travels like a lightning bolt. If I turn my head back to a neutral position the sharp pain is gone. After the MRI I would guess they would do an EMG. I did have one in March that I believe was alright.
        T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
        C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
        T2--T10 fusion 2/11
        C 4-5 fusion 11/14
        Right scapulectomy 6/15
        Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
        To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
        Broken neck 9/28/2018
        Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
        Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
        Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
        Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
        Osteotomy

        Comment


        • #5
          No I did not have any pain in my elbow. My pain was generated by movement of my arm, shoulders and neck. They even tested my neck. It's 8 months later and I still have pain.

          Comment


          • #6
            It will be interesting to see what the MRI says.I go tomorrow and follow up on December 3. When I last saw the M.D. he knew by the X-rays that it was when I turned to the right. He knew that before talking to me. My guess is something showed on the X-rays. They were of the cervical.I am already fused c4-7 . And putting the shoulder back in place could have changed something
            T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
            C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
            T2--T10 fusion 2/11
            C 4-5 fusion 11/14
            Right scapulectomy 6/15
            Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
            To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
            Broken neck 9/28/2018
            Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
            Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
            Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
            Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
            Osteotomy

            Comment


            • #7
              I do have the results of the latest X-rays and MRI. The x show that c7 has slipped past T1. The MRI says that it is on the nerve bilateral but I feel it more on the right. A surprise on the MRI it says that the c3 level has gotten more compromised then an MRI taken a year ago. Is this just going to continue. I haven't spoken to the doctor yet but I will see him on Thursday. I know he was concerned about the muscle loss. I am almost out of discs . How do you turn your head? What level of the cervical is responsible for movement side to side?
              T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
              C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
              T2--T10 fusion 2/11
              C 4-5 fusion 11/14
              Right scapulectomy 6/15
              Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
              To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
              Broken neck 9/28/2018
              Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
              Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
              Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
              Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
              Osteotomy

              Comment


              • #8
                Jackie, I believe most of our neck movement comes from up high.....
                https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_(anatomy)

                It seems we are like old cars....Back in the day, we would buy one new $20 tire at a time. It was one less problem we had to deal with. Remember those days?

                I passed another kidney stone 2 weeks ago and I think my water pump is going. (kidney stone joke) When I asked why stones formed, the answer I got was “Chemistry”.

                Now, I understand.....(smiley face)

                Be sure to let us know what your doc says after your Thurs visit....

                Hang in there

                Ed
                49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                My x-rays
                http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thanks Ed at least we aren't talking that high. I am happy to find that out. So if c3 needs attention and I know c7 -T1 do , i will only have c1and2 and T2 left. It is troubling. I almost want to ask how long they may last.
                  T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
                  C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
                  T2--T10 fusion 2/11
                  C 4-5 fusion 11/14
                  Right scapulectomy 6/15
                  Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
                  To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
                  Broken neck 9/28/2018
                  Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
                  Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
                  Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
                  Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
                  Osteotomy

                  Comment

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