What Causes Stiffness At Back Of Neck After A Lower Lumbar Fusion?

Posted on Fri, 31 Oct 2014

Question: In 2005 I had a lower lumbar fusion.
September I had a fall while on duty as a police officer landing on my back.
I ended up at a workers comp Dr I told him
I'm experiencing stiffness and pain in the back of my neck it's hard to turn my head. Pain in my lower back and hips. And my right leg swells and is numb at times and times its burns and hurts. Both of my hands swell and tingle.
He did a mri on my back and told me I would just need some physical therapy and told me my legs etc has nothing to do with my back and to see another doctor. I asked for a copy of my mri he told me I had arthritis

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
MRI cervical spine is recommended

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your MRI report and suffering carefully. To help you better I would like to know-
1.Are you able to walk on your heel and toes?
2.How is your grip strength in hands?
Meanwhile you may have rest,hot water fomentation for lower back and neck region along with muscle relaxant drug (thiocolchicoside),ibuprofen and drug pregablin for radiating pain in arm and legs.Hopefully you will be better in a few days time.

MRI of cervical spine is recommended if you do not get relief by above medicines
Hope this answers your query.I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (5 minutes later)

This has been going on for several weeks. I can walk on my heal it's hard to point my toes downward. I was told by the lady that did my mri that because I had a previous surgery I needed a mri with contrast and the doctor didn't put it on there for me to have it.

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
MRI with contrast would have been better

Detailed Answer:
Hello
It's good to see you.
I have gone through your reply and would recommend continuing with the medicine as discussed earlier. As you are not able to walk on your toes? it is suggestive of pinched nerve at operated site and needs physical examination to confirm it. Do you have bladder/bowel control? I mean is there bed wetting?
I would recommend visiting a neurologist/neurosurgeon/orthopaedic surgeon for further help
Yes, it would have been better to get MRI with contrast in operated case.
Hope this answers your query.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (8 hours later)

If I try to stand on my tip toes I have to hold on to something it hurts in my right leg I can keep my balance. No bed wetting

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Drug pregablin will help

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your reply and they are suggestive of pinched nerve.Drug pregablin along with muscle relaxant will help.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar