Note Cervical Spondylosis, Not Stenosis

[johnsoncarter]

Guys, please note that I specifically noted certain spinal conditions such as cervical spondylosis, not stenosis, which is a degenerative disc disease that can cause fasciculations.

 

[qb2y]

Carl, very interesting. I have not seen this in my patient population but it's good to learn....I will say though that in general when patient have cervical or any spinal spondylosis there is typically stenosis or narrowing that accompanies it. By nature spondylosis which you know in general means degeneration causes to a certain degree stenosis, it just has to.

Good post......

Tx

 

[qb2y]

Garth, Im with the neurosurgeon here. Many patient have spondylosis usually of the lumbar spine. These type of patiens typically present with primarily low back pain that increases with extention type activities. They usually have a bit of narrowing or stenosis associated with this as well and with this stenosis usually comes some problems with the legs, i.e. pain, numbnes, tingling,etc. As i posted earlier I have never come across any patients with true fasiculations who have had spondylosis, or stenosis. I'm not saying it isn't possible but my experience has not shown this. I should also add that spondylosis and certainly stenosis of the cervical spine can give a wide variety of whole body problems...I've dealth with this personally for a couple of years with the whole herniated disc thing which makes my fasics not seem even harder to explain......

Patrick...

 

[qb2y]

I need to make a correction, I have never had a patient with fasiculations pre-op and then after decompressing or fusing them had fasiculation diminish.

Patrick...

 

[johnsoncarter]

As a person with cervical and lumbar stenosis who does not pretend to have any final answers regarding this issue, I have had a successful course of physical therapy and therapeutic exercise combined with highly skilled osteopathic spinal manipulation of the cervical and lumbar spine that appears to have significantly decreased the frequency and intensity of my fasciculations. In addition the numbness and paraesthesia in my right leg has disappeared as did a significant amount of weakness which was driving me up a wall (I was unable to cross the street without feeling as if my leg would collapse). Although my positive experience is anecdotal, I would not be surprised if SOME individuals with BFS and cervical and lumbar stenosis who receive appropriate PT as noted above (I obtained this intervention at a major medical center) may find a similar positive outcome. Obviously every poster should consult with their physician prior to doing so.

It is also significant to note that there is some preliminary data demonstrating a relationship between spinal stenosis and disorders such as Fibromyalgia. Although not an established fact, many of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia appear to be similar to those with stenosis. Some individuals who have had spinal surgery to correct cervical stenosis have found relief from their supposed Fibromyalgic symptoms.

 

[qb2y]

Hey Jenn, there is a saying in the ortho spine/ neurosurgery community that all you need it 100 patients to keep you practice going. I have found this to be true for several reason one being that most patients wont exercise, keep thin, eat healthy, and use appropriate biomechanics during the day, but the biggest reason is probably that with all the advances medicine has made we still cant slow down or stop the aging process. When you decompress, fuse, remove or whatever, to the spine you have to move the pressure that once was exerted there to another place, i.e disc. This then causes early degeneration and on and on and on. I'm sorry to hear your back has given you so much trouble. 16 years is a long time ago and it may be worth it to atleast look at some of the newer surgical systems present today. Just a thought.......

 

[eyennyGlimmer]

Hi guys, thanks for the info. My surgery was a failed back surgery the Dr told me and they said they could go in and scrape tissue out and they can fuse me, I never was fused when they took the discs out. I do have to say this last week it getting much better. I am walking 2-3 miles a day and it is actually helping. The spasms and imflammation is pretty much gone but now I feel the pinch on right butt cheek and it travels down my right leg. So I am thinking I have a herinated disc, I do not know.. I am trying to get my abs, legs and hips in shape, slowly of course because I feel this will help me. I have been worse since I stopped working out. I have always had imflammation there but not like this so I am going to continue working out. Thanks guys..Jenn