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Woke up a month ago with a stiff neck, later that day my left arm felt like it was on fire, next morning I made it to the emergency room unable to put my arm down below my head. They gave me some vicodin and sent me home.
Next day I'd lost all feeling in my left hand from the wrist down. (I'm left handed). Couldn't move my pinky or ring finger at all and lost about 80% of strength in the rest of my hand and arm.
Went and got some x-rays, MRI etc., They told me my c-5 was pretty much gone, 6 was bad and 7 had bone spurs. Said I needed surgery. Went to a chiro, He said he couldn't do much for me.
So...They went thru the front of my neck to get to my c-5 c-6 & c-7 vertebrae. Had the 5 and 6 replaced with donor bone from a bone bank, which I didn't even know excisted.
A metal plate gots 'em fused together. Surgery was on tues., it was a one night stay in the hospital, home the next day. Most miserable wed. and thurs...Friday sucked, today I can sit up and eat, use the computer for more than 10 minutes at a time.
Pain in my arm is gone, strength hasn't come back yet. Numbness is still in pinky and ring finger. Not being able to use your dominate hand is a trip.
Wow, big change in your life in a month. I have spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease so back surgery is definitely not a new topic for me. Never had it, however, and I'm hoping through diet and exercise I can help maintain the pain. When you're ready for it - and I'm sure your doctor will have to give you the green light - physical therapy is extremely important for your recuperation. I highly recommend you stick to it and start a good exercise routine afterwards. Best to you.
Have you ever considered Reclast? I have rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, which has settled in my spine, mainly the lower spine. I've have two surgeries on the lumbar and sacral region.
They put me on Reclast, which is a once-a-year IV, which helps strengthen bones, especially in the spinal region. Look into it, it might help with further deteroiation.
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