Inspired Spinal Cord Injury Support Forum

compiler
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Injury: Central Cord Syndrome
Date Injured: 3/6/17

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Saw neurosurgeon--need cervical laminectomy--no rush-advice? May 27, 2017 4:41:16 GMT -8

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Post by compiler on May 27, 2017 4:41:16 GMT -8

The title says it all. I had a fall that resulted in central cord syndrome with very limited use of my hands and legs and lots of spasticity.
Turns out I had/have severe spinal stenosis. Fall happened March 6 this year.

Was in rehab for a long time. Saw neurosurgeon who looked at MRI done last week.
He says the conditions that caused the problem remain and given that I am now a
high fall-risk, he wants to do a laminectomy (cervical)-probably without needing fusion.

Can someone enlighten me on what to expect after surgery? Recovery time? Pain?
RELIEF OF SYMPTOMS. (see ffirst sentence above).

I can read about it, but I'd like to hear from those who went thru it

Mel

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tetra
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Saw neurosurgeon--need cervical laminectomy--no rush-advice? May 27, 2017 5:18:26 GMT -8

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Post by tetra on May 27, 2017 5:18:26 GMT -8

Did you ask the surgeon these questions? Write him a note and ask!

He sounds concerned about the stenosis, probably correctly. This means he is concerned about pressure on the cord in addition to your cord injury. He wants to avoid further problems. As he stated, his concern is future falls. That said, if you are using a chair most of the time there is no harm at all in delaying this option. Surgeons operate, so if they see any reason to do so, this is their advice. If you can, consult a neurologist, or even a second surgeon, with your scans.

You will not get relief of your current symptoms from this and if he was honest and professional he warned you there is risk in any operation. I cannot tell you the number of people who have explained on forums that they walked into the hospital for a fusion or laminectomy then never walked again. Of course, a lot more people have been helped by their operations. I'm just saying there is risk, though given your current limitations you may not think it is great. Remember in your calculations that it is less than 3 months since your injury and you might still see significant improvement.

I totally commiserate with you about the loss of hand function. this is extremely limiting yet an op is unlikely to change it.

This young man, Doug, has made lots of videos about how he copes completely independently without hand function. He is a complete c-5 quad, meaning he has NO hand function though he does have wrist function. His videos will show you many ways and tools that let you take care of yourself, including cooking. This is not to say such a life is fast or easy, but it is POSSIBLE. Keep us posted. It really does get better:

www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTaTaJYu7Uss1tkbNNiRMA

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I step in the water, but the water has moved on...

kilg0retr0ut
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Saw neurosurgeon--need cervical laminectomy--no rush-advice? May 27, 2017 5:25:08 GMT -8

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Post by kilg0retr0ut on May 27, 2017 5:25:08 GMT -8

I've had one, if I couldn't use my hands I'd have another. Didn't find the one done in my neck half as bad as the one in my back. I walked out the following day (wearing AFO's).
I had a couple of pretty uncomfortable days, a month in a collar, and wasn't allowed to drive. People are going to tell you everyone and situation is different. Too many things to factor in to really have good answer.
You could have it done and it could really help, but nobody will give you any guarantee that it won't have complications. Thats why it's all your call.

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compiler New Member Posts: 13 Post Likes Received: 7 Date Joined: May 2017 Injury: Central Cord Syndrome Date Injured: 3/6/17 Member is: Offline Send PM	Saw neurosurgeon--need cervical laminectomy--no rush-advice? May 27, 2017 5:40:55 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by compiler on May 27, 2017 5:40:55 GMT -8 The surgeon said there is no rush and he does not know if the surgery will help my current symptoms. Mel
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compiler New Member Posts: 13 Post Likes Received: 7 Date Joined: May 2017 Injury: Central Cord Syndrome Date Injured: 3/6/17 Member is: Offline Send PM	Saw neurosurgeon--need cervical laminectomy--no rush-advice? May 27, 2017 5:41:53 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by compiler on May 27, 2017 5:41:53 GMT -8 Kilgore: I sent you a PM Mel
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airohs Member Posts: 152 Post Likes Received: 136 Date Joined: August 2013 Injury: C4 / 5 Incomplete Tetraplegic Date Injured: May 23 1999 Member is: Offline Send PM	Saw neurosurgeon--need cervical laminectomy--no rush-advice? May 29, 2017 15:34:56 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by airohs on May 29, 2017 15:34:56 GMT -8 i had same sypmtoms as you it took them 4 yrs to do the decompression laminectomy and i had big gains after ..they should have done it right away instead of the wait and see
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compiler New Member Posts: 13 Post Likes Received: 7 Date Joined: May 2017 Injury: Central Cord Syndrome Date Injured: 3/6/17 Member is: Offline Send PM	Saw neurosurgeon--need cervical laminectomy--no rush-advice? May 31, 2017 14:55:42 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by compiler on May 31, 2017 14:55:42 GMT -8 Airhos: I sent you a PM. Hope for further details Mel
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Saw neurosurgeon--need cervical laminectomy--no rush-advice?

Post by compiler on May 27, 2017 4:41:16 GMT -8

Post by tetra on May 27, 2017 5:18:26 GMT -8

Post by kilg0retr0ut on May 27, 2017 5:25:08 GMT -8

Post by compiler on May 27, 2017 5:40:55 GMT -8

Post by compiler on May 27, 2017 5:41:53 GMT -8

Post by airohs on May 29, 2017 15:34:56 GMT -8

Post by compiler on May 31, 2017 14:55:42 GMT -8

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