11 replies to this topic

[LifeChanging]

Hello all, I am very confused and don't know what to do, so I had a MRI today and the results come back that my spine is in tact, and is not severed at all. So the Dr. don't know what happened to cause my paralysis, so how do I get answers about what's going on? I went into surgery to remove a decompressed disc and woke up paralyzed, so if my spine is not severed then what could have caused my paralysis? I thought a person became paralyzed when the spine is severed to some degree. I have some sensation and very little movement, so who should I see to get some answers about what's going on with my spine? All suggestions will be greately appreciated, I hope I explained myself good.

[Stand]

Paralysis has nothing to do with if you're spinal cord is severed, a complete injury, or not severed, an incomplete injury. If I were you, I would locate the closest facility that handles spinal cord injuries and be seen by a specialist. A regular doctor is not going to be able to give you answers regarding something so in-depth like an SCI situation. Best of luck to.

[Simba]

Hi Lifechanging & welcome to the forum

I agree with stand117711 you should be in contact with a specialist in regard to these questions. An MRI can also be perfectly normal shortly after an injury and doesn't necessarily exclude neurological(nerve) damage as a result of the injury. Swelling can take up to two years to go down after spinal surgery and this could be the reason for the paralysis. But you need to talk to a rehabilitative specialist and/or neurologist, be assessed for current level of sensation/function, check for causes of the impairment and to recommend an exercise programme for your rehabilitation.

Wish you well with your recovery & keep us updated on the progress

[JimG]

LifeChanging, on 28 March 2011 - 11:04 PM, said:

Hello all, I am very confused and don't know what to do, so I had a MRI today and the results come back that my spine is in tact, and is not severed at all. So the Dr. don't know what happened to cause my paralysis, so how do I get answers about what's going on? I went into surgery to remove a decompressed disc and woke up paralyzed, so if my spine is not severed then what could have caused my paralysis? I thought a person became paralyzed when the spine is severed to some degree. I have some sensation and very little movement, so who should I see to get some answers about what's going on with my spine? All suggestions will be greately appreciated, I hope I explained myself good.

I'm sorry.


So many doctors have no clue about thoracic herniations.

Did your surgeon warn you about the risks of surgery in your location?

Mine made it VERY clear how risky surgery in that area was.

[LifeChanging]

Simba, on 29 March 2011 - 02:36 AM, said:

Hi Lifechanging & welcome to the forum

I agree with stand117711 you should be in contact with a specialist in regard to these questions. An MRI can also be perfectly normal shortly after an injury and doesn't necessarily exclude neurological(nerve) damage as a result of the injury. Swelling can take up to two years to go down after spinal surgery and this could be the reason for the paralysis. But you need to talk to a rehabilitative specialist and/or neurologist, be assessed for current level of sensation/function, check for causes of the impairment and to recommend an exercise programme for your rehabilitation.

Wish you well with your recovery & keep us updated on the progress

Thanks alot for the info. I will definately let u all know the update, can swelling of the spine be seen in an MRI?

[LifeChanging]

JimG, on 29 March 2011 - 02:50 AM, said:

LifeChanging, on 28 March 2011 - 11:04 PM, said:

Hello all, I am very confused and don't know what to do, so I had a MRI today and the results come back that my spine is in tact, and is not severed at all. So the Dr. don't know what happened to cause my paralysis, so how do I get answers about what's going on? I went into surgery to remove a decompressed disc and woke up paralyzed, so if my spine is not severed then what could have caused my paralysis? I thought a person became paralyzed when the spine is severed to some degree. I have some sensation and very little movement, so who should I see to get some answers about what's going on with my spine? All suggestions will be greately appreciated, I hope I explained myself good.

I'm sorry.


So many doctors have no clue about thoracic herniations.

Did your surgeon warn you about the risks of surgery in your location?

Mine made it VERY clear how risky surgery in that area was.

No he didn't cause actually he read the MRI report wrong.

[Simba]

Muscular swelling around the spine can be identified by MRI's (they are usually quite good at showing muscular tissue). Not all nerve damage shows up in MRI's which is why I stated to see a neurologist who specialises in this. If a herniation did occur this could also have incurred some damages to nerves or blood vessels. Talk to the specialists to get more information about what is going on.

I am surprised also that no-one informed you about the risks and dangers with any spinal surgery. Just be on their case to get some of those answers you need. The fact that you have some sensation and movement btw is a good sign and there is a possibility you may regain more function as time goes on so stay positive and open up those communication channels with the appropriate medical specialists.

[LifeChanging]

Simba, on 29 March 2011 - 03:34 AM, said:

Muscular swelling around the spine can be identified by MRI's (they are usually quite good at showing muscular tissue). Not all nerve damage shows up in MRI's which is why I stated to see a neurologist who specialises in this. If a herniation did occur this could also have incurred some damages to nerves or blood vessels. Talk to the specialists to get more information about what is going on.

I am surprised also that no-one informed you about the risks and dangers with any spinal surgery. Just be on their case to get some of those answers you need. The fact that you have some sensation and movement btw is a good sign and there is a possibility you may regain more function as time goes on so stay positive and open up those communication channels with the appropriate medical specialists.

Thanks alot for the info. and actually the dr. is a specialist who did my surgery, he keep telling me he don't know what happened, and he has no answers for me so I guess I will stop seeing him cause he's no help at all. I will be seeing a neurosurgeon soon and maybe he will give me some answers as to what happened, and he didn't quite read the MRIright to begin with, and told me of no risk with the surgery/

[qbounce]

Get a second opinion. I've been through teems of doctors who couldn't help me before locating the right doctor. The spinal cord is such a tricky thing, and most neurosurgeons only specialize in a very particular area. So, it could take quite some time to find any answers at all.

[LaurenP]

Listen to what 'q' said, second, third, etc. opinions until you get a handle on what happened or better yet why it happened to you. Keep plugging the one thing you don't want to do is sit and wait, time is of the essence...good luck..

[McTavish]

Hi Life Changing, I am in a similar position myself, my cord is not severed but became a paraplegic after spinal operation and surgeon never gave me a straight answer as to what is causing my paralysis, may be this may be that was all I got and he washed his hands off me when I went to Rehab. I hope you are able to find out more than I did, good luck and keep us posted.

[LifeChanging]

McTavish, on 30 March 2011 - 01:46 PM, said:

Hi Life Changing, I am in a similar position myself, my cord is not severed but became a paraplegic after spinal operation and surgeon never gave me a straight answer as to what is causing my paralysis, may be this may be that was all I got and he washed his hands off me when I went to Rehab. I hope you are able to find out more than I did, good luck and keep us posted.

That's exactly what he did to was wash his hands of me, and I was like how dare you because he is the one that made the mistake not me, he lead me wrong to begin with, he read my MRI wrong before I went into surgery, and that's the only reason why I had the surgery to begin with, but I go see a Neurosurgeon Tuesday and I will let u know what he says, and thanks for the info, and I hope u get some more answers as well.