Possible Cervical Myelopathy
7 months ago I suffered an acute injury causing a herniation at L5-S1 giving me S1 Nerve compression. The neurologists and orthopedics were puzzled because for the first few weeks I couldn’t move my legs at all, and for the following 7 months, I have been unable to walk, as my legs are so weak, and now I’m starting to have hand issues as well. I have MRIs done of my entire spine and brain and was wondering if anyone could correlate my symptoms with what I’m feeling? I’m willing to share more symptoms as anyone responds who’s been through this. I’ve been told I have FND but all signs point to cord compression in my cervical, including positive hoffmans, spascicity in my legs and tremors when extending my knees, but no tremors when I’m completely still and fine or when moving side to side with my thighs.
Hi,
!
First off, I am so sorry you experienced an injury and the ensuing issues that followed that injury. My husband fell and experienced a bulging disc that compressed his spine and he had to relearn to walk. This injury occured 16 years ago and he has fully recovered, though he experiences some foot numbness and bladder urgency since the incident. I know that's not quite the same as what you are dealing with, but I know that some back injuries can cause some really wonky lingering issues. Surgery fixed the cause of my husband's problem and time and physical therapy helped his continued recovery.
I cannot provide medical advice or speculation, for your safety, though, it does sound like something is still compressing nerves or that your initial nerve damage is still healing. I wouldn't be too concerned except for the fact that your hands are now impacted.
Are you getting physical therapy? That was really what helped my husband following the surgery. If you are, indeed, dealing with FND, physical therapy may help. It looks like treatment options specifically for the nerve issues are limited, though Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) is a possible treatment. My husband did receive some nerve stimulation at his PT appointments. And, with cervical myelopathy, your spine/nerves may still be recovering from the initial injury (or, yes, there could still be nerve compression occuring).
I know I sound like I am really harping on PT, but I know when doctors and surgeons are kind of throwing up their hands and shrugging their shoulders, patients often have to turn what they can reasonably do to improve their situations.
In the scheme of spinal healing, I would say that you are doing okay for seven months in. My biggest concern is, again, that new hand issue popping up.
You have the right to seek second (or third!) opinions as well.
Best, Erin, Team Member.
