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Question: Dear Dr.
I would like to consult for my uncle who is 67 years old. His main problem is unable to lift both Hands even halfway to the shoulder level. After consulting the neurosurgeon specialist, they have suggested for a surgery around the neck region. Please find attached reports/clinical finding reports for your perusal.
We do want to know
1) is surgery must
2) If so how it will be done ( Procedure )
3)whether cutting will be below neck
4) any bone removal & fixing of plate
5) if so whether neck movement will be restricted
6) recovery period
given the age into consideration, what will be the pros and cons of the surgery if performed and how much success rate can be expected.
I would like to consult for my uncle who is 67 years old. His main problem is unable to lift both Hands even halfway to the shoulder level. After consulting the neurosurgeon specialist, they have suggested for a surgery around the neck region. Please find attached reports/clinical finding reports for your perusal.
We do want to know
1) is surgery must
2) If so how it will be done ( Procedure )
3)whether cutting will be below neck
4) any bone removal & fixing of plate
5) if so whether neck movement will be restricted
6) recovery period
given the age into consideration, what will be the pros and cons of the surgery if performed and how much success rate can be expected.
Brief Answer:
Operation will be posterior neck approach
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I have gone through your question and reports and understand your concerns.
Your uncle is suffering from cervical myelopathy with syringomyelia.
1) is surgery must
Ans: Non surgical measures are unlikely to give benefit. Neck collar and physiotherapy may decrease the progression but not sufficient to stop or revert the changes.
2) If so how it will be done ( Procedure )
Ans: The operation will be from posterior aspect of neck.
3)whether cutting will be below neck
Ans: The opening will be posterior neck region
4) any bone removal & fixing of plate
Ans: Yes there may be cutting of some portion of spine and fixation may be required depending upon the number of vertebral segments operated and bony alignment of spine.
5) if so whether neck movement will be restricted
Ans: There may be some restriction of movement but most of the functions will remain same.
6) recovery period
Ans: The prognosis is not very good. Only cervical myelopathy has better prognosis after surgery but presence of syrinx leads to death of anterior horn cells and weakness may improve only to some extent.
You need to consult a neurologist or take a second opinion from a neurosurgeon.
Get all your queries discussed with the operating surgeon prior to surgery.
Prefer the advice from a government institute or medical college or a good corporate hospital .
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Operation will be posterior neck approach
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I have gone through your question and reports and understand your concerns.
Your uncle is suffering from cervical myelopathy with syringomyelia.
1) is surgery must
Ans: Non surgical measures are unlikely to give benefit. Neck collar and physiotherapy may decrease the progression but not sufficient to stop or revert the changes.
2) If so how it will be done ( Procedure )
Ans: The operation will be from posterior aspect of neck.
3)whether cutting will be below neck
Ans: The opening will be posterior neck region
4) any bone removal & fixing of plate
Ans: Yes there may be cutting of some portion of spine and fixation may be required depending upon the number of vertebral segments operated and bony alignment of spine.
5) if so whether neck movement will be restricted
Ans: There may be some restriction of movement but most of the functions will remain same.
6) recovery period
Ans: The prognosis is not very good. Only cervical myelopathy has better prognosis after surgery but presence of syrinx leads to death of anterior horn cells and weakness may improve only to some extent.
You need to consult a neurologist or take a second opinion from a neurosurgeon.
Get all your queries discussed with the operating surgeon prior to surgery.
Prefer the advice from a government institute or medical college or a good corporate hospital .
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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