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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Broken Neck, Narrowing Of Spinal Cord, Paralysis Of Limbs. Done MRI. Why Is This Happening?

I'm a 46 year old woman. I've had major surgery for a broken neck twice, once by an orthopedic surgeon Level C6 & C7 (fusion & cervical plate) ten years ago (old repetitive injuries through violence as a child)& secondly by a neurological surgeon (narrowing of the spinal cord) C5 & C4 show some drastic changes six years ago. My most recent MRI two years ago showed that the thesac was indented & the spinal cord itself is slightly deformed. I have paralysis in my left upper limbs & right lower limbs. Recently in the last three months I've been passing out only for a few seconds when realising I'm on the ground... Is this normal for my condition? When passing out I've discovered I think it's when I have a temperature change & this is a new symptom re-occurring in the last three months (5 times in total so far) I can relate to my normal unsteadiness, pain & paralysis in body giving way but the new (passing out stage) I'm not sure why... do you have any idea why this is happening? & what's the cause?
Mon, 10 Jun 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
I went through your problems. The recent symptom of passing out which occurred 5 times during a period of 3 months may be due to vertebral basilar insufficiency (VBI). This is due to the reduced blood supply to the posterior aspect of the brain.
The cerebellum, Pons and mid brain are the main sections in the posterior aspect of the brain supplied by the cervical vertebral artery. The cause of reduced blood supply may be the complications of your previous injuries or surgery. You may get vertigo on turning your head on one side.
Cerebellum takes care of the stability and position. When its blood supply is reduced you get a feeling of passing out.
As this new symptom developed within the last 3 month period, better to consult a Neuro Surgeon who may examine you, investigate and if necessary may find a solution to keep your head straight looking forward (preventing the occlusion of the artery) by cervical collar etc., or find some other cause and treat it.
Best wishes for you
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Have Broken Neck, Narrowing Of Spinal Cord, Paralysis Of Limbs. Done MRI. Why Is This Happening?

Hello, I went through your problems. The recent symptom of passing out which occurred 5 times during a period of 3 months may be due to vertebral basilar insufficiency (VBI). This is due to the reduced blood supply to the posterior aspect of the brain. The cerebellum, Pons and mid brain are the main sections in the posterior aspect of the brain supplied by the cervical vertebral artery. The cause of reduced blood supply may be the complications of your previous injuries or surgery. You may get vertigo on turning your head on one side. Cerebellum takes care of the stability and position. When its blood supply is reduced you get a feeling of passing out. As this new symptom developed within the last 3 month period, better to consult a Neuro Surgeon who may examine you, investigate and if necessary may find a solution to keep your head straight looking forward (preventing the occlusion of the artery) by cervical collar etc., or find some other cause and treat it. Best wishes for you