Cervical Disc Herniation And Muscle Atrophy Posted: 09-12-05 08:46am
My pain has subsided, but my right arm and
hand are still often sore. A pt told me
there was some muscle atrophy in my right
arm. My right arm is noticeably weaker.
Waxing a car would be next to impossible
right now.
I really notice the weakness when
swimming. Not good, since I enjoy
competing in triathlons and open water
swims. I can swim, but I can't sprint.
In the water, i'm no michael phelps, but I
do consider myself a very strong
swimmer.
My question is this. How long after a
disc herniation is corrected does it take
for the muscle atrophy to reverse
itself?
Will my right arm ever be the same?
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IMShirl
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Mar 2005 Posts: 204 Location: Wisconsin, USA
Thanks: 1
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Posted: 09-12-05 17:28pm
I have a question for you..... What do
you mean by this...Disc herniation is
corrected? Did you have disc surgery?
Shirl
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MrCjolsen
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Davis, CA
Posted: 09-12-05 21:48pm
I've not had surgery. But let's assume
that the pressure on the nerve is
completely relieved through pt, traction,
exercise, etc. I don't really want
surgery.
My symptoms (pain, weakness, and numbness)
are not severe right now. They were two
weeks ago.
How long until the strength in my right
arm is regained? Specifically my tricep
(very important muscle for swimming).
I want to feel normal again.
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IMShirl
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Mar 2005 Posts: 204 Location: Wisconsin, USA
Thanks: 1
Thanked:0
Posted: 09-13-05 07:09am
Ok, if that was the case and the nerve is
completely relieved now it would depend on
how long the nerve was compressed for
starters and if the nerve was not damaged
while it was compressed. If it wasn't
long damaged and wasn't compressed long as
with surgery the nerve heals about an inch
a month. That is the best case scenario.
Having muscle weakness could mean the
nerve was pinched a long time or there may
be damage so it may be hard to say how
much you will get back. Sorry this may
not have been any help for you. :(
I have some areas from my lumbar
problems (pinched nerves) where I have
numb areas to motor nerve and more
numbness to sensory nerves. I gained a
lot back but now it has slowed down some.
I also have had cervical surgery and the
only part still numb is the tip of my
middle finger on my right hand. The other
numb areas have come back which included
shoulders, neck, arms, hands, and fingers.
My 2 major lumbar surgeries were 3 years
ago for the anterior with bak cages and
may of this year for the posterior lumbar
with rods and screws. The 2 surgeries
before these were micro-d's. I also had 2
anterior cervical fusion's and 1 posterior
cervical fusion with plates, rods, and
screws all in the last 2 years.
I am happy to hear you have been able to
feel better with the less invasive
treatments. I pray you continue to get
better. :)
shirl
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Jennb
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 66 Location: Massachusetts
Posted: 09-13-05 07:46am
I had a anterior cervical discectomy with
fusion a few years ago. My surgery was
scheduled quickly when they discovered
what was wrong because the disc was
putting a dangerous amount of pressure on
my spinal cord. The pain and numbness
started about 10 weeks before surgery. I
had very little use of my right hand. The
pain was completely alleviated after the
surgery, ecxept of course the pain
recovering from the surgery. The feeling
and mobility of my hand was regained
within a few weeks. Like the last poster
said, it will really depend on how much
damage was done. Good luck. I believe
that you will get back most, if not all
feeling.
