weak arm

alan · 06-26-2005, 05:47 PM

I don't know what's going on with my right arm, but it's feeling weaker and more numb than ever before, which makes using it even more difficult. I don't what's causing it, but it's been getting worse over the years, yet I keep being told that my MRI isn't changing from year to year, and the hole in my cord hasn't gotten bigger. However, the change in my right arm sensation is coming from somewhere, either the spinal cord or nerve compression from the disks in my neck, I would guess. That's my dominant arm, though the left arm has always had a little more movement. There's no change in my left arm sensation, and it doesn't feel weak. What's up, and how can it be fixed? All the neurosurgeon and orthopedist told me is how healthy I am, and how I have a lot of scar tissue in my neck.

I don't know if further increased pain in my back and abdomen is related or not. The increased abdominal pain makes breathing more difficult.

Alan

There's a fungus among us, and I'm not lichen it!

Nerve Center Telnet BBS - tncbbs.no-ip.com

SCI-Nurse · 06-27-2005, 08:34 PM

Hi Alan,

This is an interesting question because there are so many causes of arm weakness and numbness
in a SCI person. The most common involve an abnormality in the nevous system, radiculopathy [pinched nerve) or stenosis (narrowing). These should be apparent through changes in the MRI. Other considerations could be nerve injury from pressure, stretching or repetitive motion.
Even osteoporosis can cause these symptoms.

Consulting both a neurosurgeon and orthopedist is the usual route to go. When they said you were healthy, what explanations did they give?
Did they suggest any type of physical therapy?
Other modalities? Any prosthetic appliances?

Another option would be to get a second opinion
from a large SCI Center.

AAD

AO · 06-28-2005, 08:05 AM

Have they ruled out syringomyelia from the MRI scans you had? I think a syrinx is pretty easy to spot but those symptoms fit the bill?

--
Lack of money is the root of all evil.

alan · 06-29-2005, 05:32 PM

They both said that my MRI was unchanged over the last three years (I took along the last three MRIs.) They, like every doctor who's looked at an MRI of mine, said there's no syrinx, just the area where the damaged cord deteriorated (myelomalacia, I think they called it.) Neither one said anything about the disk degeneration possibly causing any problems with my arm.

They didn't have any suggestions re the arm, or re the pain problem in the upper back (or anywhere else.)

Alan

There's a fungus among us, and I'm not lichen it!

Nerve Center Telnet BBS - tncbbs.no-ip.com

SCI-Nurse · 06-29-2005, 07:43 PM

If you feel comfortable with these doctors and don't feel you would like another opinion, I would ask for a referral to a good SCI physical therapist to see whether you have any options to help with the weakness and numbness.

AAD

06-26-2005, 05:47 PM	#1
alan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 6,169	weak arm I don't know what's going on with my right arm, but it's feeling weaker and more numb than ever before, which makes using it even more difficult. I don't what's causing it, but it's been getting worse over the years, yet I keep being told that my MRI isn't changing from year to year, and the hole in my cord hasn't gotten bigger. However, the change in my right arm sensation is coming from somewhere, either the spinal cord or nerve compression from the disks in my neck, I would guess. That's my dominant arm, though the left arm has always had a little more movement. There's no change in my left arm sensation, and it doesn't feel weak. What's up, and how can it be fixed? All the neurosurgeon and orthopedist told me is how healthy I am, and how I have a lot of scar tissue in my neck. I don't know if further increased pain in my back and abdomen is related or not. The increased abdominal pain makes breathing more difficult. Alan There's a fungus among us, and I'm not lichen it! Nerve Center Telnet BBS - tncbbs.no-ip.com

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06-27-2005, 08:34 PM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,320	Hi Alan, This is an interesting question because there are so many causes of arm weakness and numbness in a SCI person. The most common involve an abnormality in the nevous system, radiculopathy [pinched nerve) or stenosis (narrowing). These should be apparent through changes in the MRI. Other considerations could be nerve injury from pressure, stretching or repetitive motion. Even osteoporosis can cause these symptoms. Consulting both a neurosurgeon and orthopedist is the usual route to go. When they said you were healthy, what explanations did they give? Did they suggest any type of physical therapy? Other modalities? Any prosthetic appliances? Another option would be to get a second opinion from a large SCI Center. AAD

06-28-2005, 08:05 AM	#3
AO Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: SA Posts: 863	Have they ruled out syringomyelia from the MRI scans you had? I think a syrinx is pretty easy to spot but those symptoms fit the bill? -- Lack of money is the root of all evil.

06-29-2005, 05:32 PM	#4
alan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 6,169	They both said that my MRI was unchanged over the last three years (I took along the last three MRIs.) They, like every doctor who's looked at an MRI of mine, said there's no syrinx, just the area where the damaged cord deteriorated (myelomalacia, I think they called it.) Neither one said anything about the disk degeneration possibly causing any problems with my arm. They didn't have any suggestions re the arm, or re the pain problem in the upper back (or anywhere else.) Alan There's a fungus among us, and I'm not lichen it! Nerve Center Telnet BBS - tncbbs.no-ip.com

06-29-2005, 07:43 PM	#5
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,320	If you feel comfortable with these doctors and don't feel you would like another opinion, I would ask for a referral to a good SCI physical therapist to see whether you have any options to help with the weakness and numbness. AAD