4 replies to this topic

[jmaxton]

Hi everyone. I am interested if anyone has any useful websites about spinal injuries. My husband had an accident about 8 years ago (jumped into the water off a rope swing). He was only 14 at the time. He injured C4-6. (He had a C5 burst fracture with incomplete spinal cord injuires.) He had a plate put in his neck as well. He was parallyzed for a few months but then began to regain movement, dispite what the doctors told him he would do. Now he can walk and everything. He does have some problems with balance, and he has hyper-reflexia at the knees and ankles, and has some weakness with gripping and wrist extension. In other words he's incrediably lucky! I was just looking for some information. Right now his grip and weakness seems to be getting worse, very quickly. And his muscles all over his body seem to be going downhill. I would just like to know if anyone had any useful sites that might help me out in these areas.

Thank you,
Jennifer

[Apparelyzed]

Hi Jennifer,

Welcome to the board, we hope you find it useful and find what you are looking for.

First off, has your husband been to see a specialist in spinal cord injuries yet regarding the deterioration of his strength?

There could be many reasons as to why there has been a change in your husbands neurology, and the following is just my point of view of a possible cause.

The first thing which springs to mind to me, when presented with a person who has had a relatively stable post injury life following a spinal cord injury, and then experiences a sudden muscle weakness or change in their neurology, is a Syringomyelia. A Syringomyelia can be caused by a spinal cord trauma such as a car accident or serious fall, and may manifest itself years later as Syringomyelia.

A Syringomyelia is a condition in which a cyst forms within the spinal cord. This cyst or Syrinx, expands over time, compressing the spinal cord causing damage and a change in neurology resulting in pain, weakness, and stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms or legs. Other symptoms may include headaches and loss of the ability to feel extremes of hot or cold, especially in the hands and disruption in body temperature. Syringomyelia may also adversely affect sweating, sexual function and bladder and bowel control.

The Syrinx can be diagnosed by having an MRI scan, and will show on the pictures as a hollow in the spinal cord. There are several treatments for reducing/draining a Syrinx, but these depend on what type and where the Syrinx is.

Even if your husband doesn't have a Syrinx, he should seek a medical examination as soon as possible, as any rapid neurological deterioration needs assessing and treatment as soon as possible to prevent any long term damage.

I hope this helps, and I have included a link to an excellent discussion board run by a well respected neurologist, Dr Wise Young, which can answer more competently any medical questions you may have.

http://carecure.atin...21&f=1854088921

Please keep in touch and let us know any outcomes of your husbands condition.

Best regards

Simon

[jmaxton]

Thanks for the info and the website! I'm trying to talk my husband into getting ahold of his neurologist. I'll let you know how it goes!

Thanks again!!!
Jennifer

[Apparelyzed]

Hi Jennifer,

That's great news.

There is a possibility that if your husband has a general weakness, lethargy and looks pale, that he could be anaemic, meaning he has a shortage of red blood cells.

But I would still see his neuro if I was him, as his neuro will be able to diagnose both conditions, where as a doctor may overlook the Cyst.

A Cyst can also lead to an increase in spasticity over time.

Regards

Simon.

[Joed]

Hi Jennifer....

Scar tissue that has formed around the site of injury can also restrict the cord and cause the same symptoms as Simon has mentioned with a cyst. The body attempts to isolate and immobilize the injury site by producing invasive scar masses. The 'Catch-22' is that if the scarring is surgically removed, the surgery itself will undoubtedly generate more scar tissue down the road...usually in a 15-20 year cycle.

I agree that any new neuro symptoms shouldn't be ignored. I hope you'll be able to convince him to keep regular appts. with a good neurosurgeon. I'm kinda stubborn that way myself...but I've finally realized the importance of consistent monitoring and assessments.

Please keep us informed about his progress.