Suggest Treatment For Cervical Stenosis With Myelopathy
Question: I was diagnosed with Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy in 2015. I had surgery at the c5/C6 and a screw placed there. There were issues with c7/c8 but my Nuerologist wanted to wait to treat that. After my surgery, I contracted a Staph Infection at my surgical site and it entered my spine causing severe and almost deadly consequences. I spent 2 months in hospital and in Rehab due to paralyses and numbness on my left side, as well as marked and continued weakness. I fall often due to balance issues and issues with dragging my left leg. Recently(like today) I noticed that my left arm hurts to the forearm, my left hand is almost completely numb, my left foot is dragging more than usual and my balance is off more than the norm. On top of that, my neck is rather stiff, but what really concerns me is an odd grinding/crackling noise I hear/feel when I turn my head to the left and right. Not one crack and its gone. Every time I turn my head I feel/hear this. I guess I'm just a bit concerned that because of the infection last year, the screw failed or something more has happened... should I be concerned or wait the weekend out to seek medical care? I tend to worry more because before, when I had the Staph infection, I because paralyzed within hours and only survived because my friends became concerned when I didn't answer the phone and sent the Sherriffs department to check on me! I couldn't call out but thankfully the door was unlocked and they found me! Please advise. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Check up with your Neurosurgeon soon.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Kimtaylor,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist, here to answer your query.
I have gone through your clinical details as mentioned. Since numbness in left upper limb and dragging left foot are some warning signs,along with neck stiffness,I suggest that a neurological consultation should be taken as soon as possible.Further, this crackling sound as well, mandates an immediate review with your Neurosurgeon to check the appropriate positioning of prosthesis.
Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Check up with your Neurosurgeon soon.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Kimtaylor,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist, here to answer your query.
I have gone through your clinical details as mentioned. Since numbness in left upper limb and dragging left foot are some warning signs,along with neck stiffness,I suggest that a neurological consultation should be taken as soon as possible.Further, this crackling sound as well, mandates an immediate review with your Neurosurgeon to check the appropriate positioning of prosthesis.
Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar