Cervical - Foramen Narrowing

[Kiya]

Hi folks, it’s been ages since I posted on here. In 2001, after knee arthroscopy, I was dx’ed with RSD but that seems to have calmed down or gone into remission. Earlier this year it was discovered I had AVN (dead bone) in my hip. I had hip surgery (core decompression & bone graft) to correct that problem. Those are fixed for now, so attention has returned to my longstanding cervical & lumbar spine issues.

For several years I have had what I call zinger-like sensations from my neck into my head. It’s kind of like a reverberation effect… not quite a vibration. They don’t hurt but are really annoying because it is almost constant at this point. For some reason, Paxil helps quiet them down.

I told my Ortho doc about the zingers and that sometimes my left-side little finger goes numb and I typically feel like my head is too heavy for my neck. He had me get new cervical MRIs. He was surprised at the results.

The MRIs showed moderate to severe foramen narrowing on pretty much all the cervical levels. I have no lorodis (curve in neck) and have lots & lots of bone spurs. There are also some herniated discs but he is most concerned about the foramen narrowing. He has referred me to a Neurosurgeon - who I will see in late Jan. He suspects I will be advised to have cervical surgery.

I am wondering if anyone else has had the zinger sensations. I am assuming it has to do with the foramen narrowing— maybe nerves rubbing on bone?

My appt is so far away… I hate the wait for the new doc to review my situation. If anyone else has had similar cervical symptoms, please share your experience with me, including any surgical procedures you may have had to correct the situation.

Thx,
Kiya

[Kathi49]

Kiya,

Everyone here pretty much knows my story so I will try to keep this short.

Yes, I have had the zaps and zingers. The only difference is those "zingers" hurt pretty d*** bad! Plus horrible headaches. Anyway, the culprit for me was the C3/C4 which I had fused in '04. I also had the C5/C6 fused September of this year. I had terrible osteoarthritis at the C3/C4; the nerve roots could not be seen at all; just crushed with osteo. So, I had the fusion and the zaps and zingers and headaches went away.

The C5/C6 only caused pain in my shoulders, forearm and thumb, index and middle fingers. It was encroaching on my spinal cord. Since I have had that level fused, that pain is gone as well.

It is too bad you have to wait awhile before you can get some answers. I wish you well with your appointment. If you want, PM me and I can go into more detail.

[ejbpesca]

My foraminal narrowing, bone spurs, and stenosis gave me all sorts of crazy electrical sensations and yes it did seems as though nerve would rake over bone at times causing weird feelings in my neck. The craziest was how it would make me jerk. Gone now after ACDF, I had daily episodes of being still say sitting then all the sudden jerking from toe to head or just a leg, or an arm. Sometimes just a finger would take off in an oscilating motion so freaky I would show it to someone...nobody could move their finger that fast back and forth.

I would get shocks all the time that shot up my spine to my head. Most are gone now.

Funny you mention hip. I have had a bad hip since I was a teenager in a car wreck. It hurts everyday..deep burning ache. I am afraid to have my ortho look at it due to what he may want to do about it. I used to have to pop the joint back into place by pulling my knee to my chest or walk with a totally stiff leg. Haven't had to do that in years but now it just hurts. Maybe it is just arthritis set up in the joint.
jb

[nopain]

Take a few minutes to look at the anatomy of the spine... here is a good example

http://www.fm.usp.br/fofito/fisio/pe...a/foramen.jpeg

You'll see these are the passage ways for the exiting nerves from the spine. As the bone grows (Oestophytes/bone spurs) closing off these pathways it doesn't leave enough room for the nerves. The nerves become pinched and you get pain or the electrical symptoms. As you move the nerves move and there isn't the normal space there should be.

The loss of lordosis (curve of your neck) can be helped with Physical Therapy in some cases. And of course you must correct postural problems.

This is work... but its what you can do for yourself.

[Kiya]

Thank you so much for the replies & information. I have been worried that because I have the wierd zingers, but no pain with them, that something is very very wrong-- like the nerves are already so injured that they are numb.