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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Surgery For Spinal Stenosis And A Fusion With Rods And Screws, Type 1 Diabetes. Have Leg Spasms. Why?

I had surgery for spinal stenosis & a fusion at L4-L5 with rods & screws on November 15. I am 61 yr old female with type 1 diabetes . I spent 6 days in the hospital& 3 weeks at a rehab hospital with 3 hours of pt & ot per day. Since I ve been home my surgeon doesn t want me to do pt. the problems I ve had are severe leg spasms z& stiff (locked ) legs, I am taking robaxin & gabapentin for these. My surgeon is AWOL & I m waiting to see another spinal specialist in the same practice. I don t think I am progressing as I should... Some days I can walk fine around the house with a cane. However some days my legs are stiff, I have to use a walker, & I can t walk with a normal gait. I try to walk every 30 minute,s. is this normal? And for how long? Thank you, bh
Thu, 24 Jan 2013
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hi. YOUR STIFFNESS OF LIMBS AND GAIT PROBLEM SEEMS RELATED TO YOUR SPINE ILLNESS. YOU NEED TO CONSULT A SPINE SURGEON FOR THAT. DIABETIC NEUROPATHY USUALLY DOES NOT CAUSE LEG SPASM OR STIFF GAIT. HOWEVER TO RULE OUT DIABETIC NEUROPATHY, NERVE CONDUCTION STUDIES WIL BE REQUIRED. YOU CAN CONTINUE WITH YOUR PRESENT MEDICATION AND CONSULT A DIABETOLOGIST IN THE MEANTIME.
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Surgery For Spinal Stenosis And A Fusion With Rods And Screws, Type 1 Diabetes. Have Leg Spasms. Why?

Hi. YOUR STIFFNESS OF LIMBS AND GAIT PROBLEM SEEMS RELATED TO YOUR SPINE ILLNESS. YOU NEED TO CONSULT A SPINE SURGEON FOR THAT. DIABETIC NEUROPATHY USUALLY DOES NOT CAUSE LEG SPASM OR STIFF GAIT. HOWEVER TO RULE OUT DIABETIC NEUROPATHY, NERVE CONDUCTION STUDIES WIL BE REQUIRED. YOU CAN CONTINUE WITH YOUR PRESENT MEDICATION AND CONSULT A DIABETOLOGIST IN THE MEANTIME.