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chrisbehappy
07-01-2002, 09:27 PM
I took out my sons medical reports and started reading because lucas's face went numb again.
It has happened many times in the past weeks.
Here is what the medical records say, lucas is C5/6 incomplete with numbness in face.
Here are the findings from Herman Hospital:
Edema and wedge deformity are seen in the C5 and C6 vertebral bodies consistent with wedge compression fracture. There appears to be mild retropulsion of fracture fragments posteriorly in the C5 vertebral body. There is probably a small subligamentous hematoma extending superiorly from C5 anteriorly. The posterior longitudinal ligament appears to be grossly continuous, but there is likely some level of ligamentous disruption indicate gross disruption of the posterior interspinous ligaments. There is grossly abnormal signal within the cervical spinal cord between the levels of C2 and C6 consistent with nonhemorrhagic contusion.

The doctors told us he crushed C5 and there was bone replacement on C5. C6 was fractured and C4-7 was fused. And he is incomplete. Both femurs were broke completely through and both femurs now have rods from the hips to the knees. He also had a slight fracture to the right hip. Lucas landed head first or almost head first, it was not determined for sure.

Now does any of this stuff make sense. Why is lucas's whole head going numb, even his lips. He can feel his head , its just numb! Lucas has had tests done over and over again. Bone scan, MRI of the neck, xrays, blood tests. Nothing has been found. We have called the doctor and constantly get that she isn't in, I say page her its an emergency, they say she can't be paged. I am so tired of lucas not getting answers. Are they trying to hide the fact that this is how its going to be, but they can't tell us? Lucas goes back to her on Wednesday, what questions do I ask? We get to see his neurosurgeon at 9:45 and the neurologist at 12:45. We are searching for a solution. Is there one? If the doctor says this pain will probably be for life, what questions or medicines should I ask for.
christine

Christopher Paddon
07-01-2002, 09:44 PM
some of these posts make me so sad - there's more disparity amongst SCI than even the able bodied population - I mean some people say get on with it and don't complain but circumstances, injury and personalities vary so widely

krajaxa
07-02-2002, 07:47 PM
Sorry to hear about your son, Christine.
Just my thought: Ask around, find a doctor that's willing to talk and get second opinion on what might be going on with him. It has worked for us. Every time we talked to one of the doctors, more information we got. This message board is great to search for some answers. Try to type in numbness in SEARCH here or even try www.newmobility.com (http://www.newmobility.com).
Good luck!

rtr
07-02-2002, 08:30 PM
This document, written by Dr. Young, documents spinal cord injury levels and classification. Look through some of the other documents as well. Knowledge is critical in this situation.

injury location mapped to motion and sensory levels (http://carecure.rutgers.edu/spinewire/Articles/SpinalLevels.html)

David Berg
07-02-2002, 09:05 PM
Christine,

I'm sorry to hear about your son's problems. He's blessed to have your love and support, not to mention your advocacy.

Is the sensation he's feeling in his head a normal touch sensation or is it just pain? Whatever the case, be specific with the doctors about the nature of what he feels.

One of the first things I'd ask is if they are experienced in treating neuropathic pain due to injury of the central nervous system (central pain). If they aren't, could they recommend someone. You also might ask for a referral for a second opinion from someone within a reasonable distance. If you're willing to travel you might even consider someone within several hours or whatever distance you and your son comfortable with.

As I'm sure you already understand, this is a *very* challenging type of pain to treat. Most people can find at least some degree of relief, but there is no one answer and most people don't find 100% relief. That's why I'm such a big advocate of further research and legal treatment with whatever drugs are effective. Find a doctor you're happy with and keep digging for answers.

I wish you the best of luck.

David Berg