Not sure what this means

[jackieg412]

The surgeon didn't mention that but he did say it it doesn't get better that a spinal cord stimulator may be able to help.
We will see.

[susancook]

The surgeon didn't mention that but he did say it it doesn't get better that a spinal cord stimulator may be able to help.
We will see.

Jackie: I queried the group about SCS and did not receive positive info. I am looking at having a SCS in the future. The neurosurgeon that I saw said that it would be difficult with all of the scar tissue that I have and that he would not do a trial, but just put it in. There are different kinds of SCS and I don't remember the pluses and minuses of each stimulator.

My concern is that I have had so many bad outcomes with spinal surgery, that I fear that I might have another spinal cord injury having it put in. I am a part of a forum on spinal cord injury and there are a number of folks on that forum who acquired their SCI with surgery for SCS.

My R leg pain is increasing so SCS might be in my future.

My goal is to stay in "the mainstream of life". I am now at the back of the pack with all of my limitations.

Hoping that you find a comfortable place in the mainstream.

Susan

[jackieg412]

Good to hear from you Susan It is always a pleasure.
I did go through a SCS trial last summer. It was a newer type called Burst DR from Abbot. It seemed to work well but the real reason for my thoracic pain was nonunion and all hardware was loose through the cervical.
That is the reason for the October surgery. Now I'm still healing from that.
The C8 hand problem is from the auto accident. It was flared in this last surgery.
Also a change was made from gabapentin to lyrica. It's worth a try.

[jackieg412]

I am 5 months past the last revision surgery. Some days I can walk fairly okay and some days are a struggle. I can't find the reason to this.
Also the ulnar nerve is still an issue. I will repeat the EMG in about a month. So far I haven't felt any improvement. It is quite aggravating.
Just how long does it take to heal this nerve?

[Tina_R]

I am 5 months past the last revision surgery. Some days I can walk fairly okay and some days are a struggle. I can't find the reason to this.
Also the ulnar nerve is still an issue. I will repeat the EMG in about a month. So far I haven't felt any improvement. It is quite aggravating.
Just how long does it take to heal this nerve?

I was told by my hand surgeon that it could take a year for my ulnar nerve to heal and for my hand to feel normal again.

[LindaRacine]

I am 5 months past the last revision surgery. Some days I can walk fairly okay and some days are a struggle. I can't find the reason to this.
Also the ulnar nerve is still an issue.

Can you tell if it's your legs, spine, or something else?

[jackieg412]

Linda as far as the walking, it feels like a struggle to keep my balance. I don't think both of my legs are a problem but it does feel like I want to "throw my right leg rather than just step". It could also be coming from the cervical since after breaking my c7, there is a notation on the emergency room doctor notes that normal movement was not observed. I can imagine that it could be a part of that.
Tina my ulnar nerve is being impacted at the cervical c8 level. A hand surgeon really can't help. So I wonder if it can actually take longer.

[Tina_R]

Tina my ulnar nerve is being impacted at the cervical c8 level. A hand surgeon really can't help. So I wonder if it can actually take longer.

I don't think it matters where it is impacted. My point was, a nerve can take a long time to heal after the compression is removed.

[jackieg412]

Tina, yes it takes a long time to heal a nerve . And I wonder if it is actually longer since a nerve heals a a very small amount over time. Since my traumatic injury was September 2018, and I am still having a problem could it be permanent?
My medication was changed from gabapentin to lyrica about 3 weeks ago. Now I can watch the side of my hand contract on its own. Like paulsing. Very annoying.

[titaniumed]

Nerve healing most likely has a lot to do with how much damage was done....I guess they are trying to find out with the EMG's.

There is a long history of nerve repair surgeries and nerve grafting.... This has been going on for over 100 years, started during WW1 in 1915 due to gunshot wounds during the war. If you read about the history of neurology...in Europe, you will see who and how some of the techniques came about.

I don't know if this has been done for any scoliosis patients...

Ed

[LindaRacine]

Linda as far as the walking, it feels like a struggle to keep my balance. I don't think both of my legs are a problem but it does feel like I want to "throw my right leg rather than just step". It could also be coming from the cervical since after breaking my c7, there is a notation on the emergency room doctor notes that normal movement was not observed. I can imagine that it could be a part of that.
Tina my ulnar nerve is being impacted at the cervical c8 level. A hand surgeon really can't help. So I wonder if it can actually take longer.

If you can find a physical therapist who specializes in gait analysis, they might be able to help.

--Linda

[jackieg412]

I do have an appointment in June for a Dr in movement specialty. I am anxious to see if he can make any suggestions.
I'm not sure where the hand nerve will lead. Watching it move on it's own is very interesting and annoying at the same time.
Yes the second EMG is to check for changes. The neurosurgeon did say that the EMG doesn't always show a problem the first one did show a nerve impact of the ulnar nerve and isn't the elbow entrapment. So I was told it was from the c7-8 injury..