3 replies to this topic

[HisGirl]

I accidentally put this in the general section at first but here's the problem:

Hi, I'm the girlfriend of a C5-6 quadriplegic. He's been a quad for over 20years. Recently he was diagnosed with spinal cord compression (stenosis) at the C-3-4 level. The doctor recommends a laminectomy (bone removal) to ease the compression on the spinal cord at that level. Has anyone had any experience with this? is the bone going to regrow and he'll have to go through this all over again?
On the flip side, if he doesn't have the surgery, he'll eventually most likely be a C4 level possibly a C3 level quad. I know it's not an exact science but would like to know what further complications any of you that are either of these levels have. Breathing? Arm use? Shoulder use? Upper trunk control? Any other problems....

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Avocado Baby]

Hi there,

I'm not a quad so I'm not sure I can help on the breathing etc front but I'll do my best to help.

I had a laminectomy on T10 for stenosis in June of this year. It was a pretty small operation and only took me about a week to recover from (after my muscles had got back to full strength) The pain afterwards was also ok. Nowhere near as bad as stenosis pain, which really is awful!

I hope someone else can help answer your other questions.

Good luck to you and your girlfriend!

[Deej]

 HisGirl, on Dec 6 2006, 04:46 PM, said:

I accidentally put this in the general section at first but here's the problem:

Hi, I'm the girlfriend of a C5-6 quadriplegic. He's been a quad for over 20years. Recently he was diagnosed with spinal cord compression (stenosis) at the C-3-4 level. The doctor recommends a laminectomy (bone removal) to ease the compression on the spinal cord at that level. Has anyone had any experience with this? is the bone going to regrow and he'll have to go through this all over again?
On the flip side, if he doesn't have the surgery, he'll eventually most likely be a C4 level possibly a C3 level quad. I know it's not an exact science but would like to know what further complications any of you that are either of these levels have. Breathing? Arm use? Shoulder use? Upper trunk control? Any other problems....

Thank you in advance for your help!

Hi

Having the laminectomy is not gonna make his current situation any worse - only better because the spinal cord will have more room around it (ofcourse there are always the usual risks with any surgery though). The bone can not 'grow back', so No he won't have to have it done again - not at that level anyway, there is no saying that he won't develop a stenosis at a different level in the future though.
I am not a quad but I am almost certain that even the difference of one vertebral level higher in the cervical spine would entail some loss of function+/- sensation compared to what he currently has. Based on Pinkali's experience I would say he should go for it.

Good luck in making a decision and all the best to your boyfriend.

[Sheridan]

My mom aged 70 underwent "laminectomy" for her problem of spinal lumbar stenosis on 27 Aug. 2007. After the operation, she lost control of her bladder and to a lesser extent, her bowel. She feels to urge to urinate but just cannot void by herself. Her urines flows out as soon as she stands up from sitting on the toilet seat. She can defecate by herself but some hard and dry stool is often left on her diaper.

The orthopedist who operated on her said that this incontinence was extremely uncommon and has put my mom on "Neurontin 300mg" - two capsules to be taken 2 times a day, for two weeks.

I would like to know if my mom's incontinence was caused by something went wrong during the operation. Can that be a damage to a spinal nerve, or a blockage of some sort? Is this incontinence temporary or permanent? Is "Neurontin" the right treatment for her?