Question
I was involved in a car accident back in Sept 08.  The other person ran a red light and hit me on the front passenger side of my car at about 50 miles an hour.  I have been out of work since.  I have been asking my orthopedic and neurologist to send me for an MRI of my left ankle/foot as my foot is numb on the ball of the foot and the third and forth toes do no move, and they have not moved since the accident.  The ortho said no, stating the problem with my ankle is a very bad sprain and the pain is from the problems with the back.  The toes also look bruised (blueish/purple) and this might seem strange but something the foot looks reddish, almost like it is being strangled.  And in the same foot, I have pain that runs down the outside of the ankle bone, then across the top of the foot.  The pain and throbbing is much worth at night.  I cannot put any blankets or pressure of any kind on the foot and my shoes do not fit.  Well 4 months into this whole process of anti inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and muscle relaxers, my orthopedic suggests I see a neurologist and the neurologist sent me for a MRI of my neck and back and also a EMG study as I have 0 reflexes in my left ankle.  I asked the neurologist to send me for the MRI of my ankle/foot, but he also said no, stating the ortho should send me for it.  The MRI impressions show the following:  of the Lumbar Spine -at L3-L4 there is a shallow central subligamentous disc herniation protruding 2 to 3 mm just touching the thecal sac without extension into the lateral recesses or neural foramina.  Central disc herniation L3-L4.
For the Cervical Spine the impressions are the C5-C6 level there is a minimal 2 to 3 mm shallow central disc bulge without focal herniation, neural element impingement or lateralization. And at C6-C7 there is an asymmetrical disc herniation to left.  It measure approx 11 mm across its base protruding approx 3 mm just touching the anterior left margin of the cervical cord and slightly narrowing the left lateral recess.  Minimal central disc bulge c5-c6.  Asymmetrical disc herniation c6-c7 to the left.  The EMG reports impression reads prolonged left posterior tibial F wave latency along with complex repetitive discharges to the left medical gastrocnemious muscle are supportive of left s1 radiculopathy.  Upper extremity findings are not indicative of radiculopathy.  The neurologist has now put my on Prednisone 20mg (pills) 3x a day for 6 days.  I have 1 day left, the tightness in the middle of my back and gotten better, but not gone.  My neck and back are still sore, some days better than others, but still there.  I am in pain all the time.  The problem with the foot/ankle has not gotten any better at all.  I guess the questions that I have are, how bad are the injuries to my back and what might be the long term effects of all of this?  Also am I expecting miracles from the Prednisone, and what happens next if it does not work and my foot is still numb?  This is a long time now, and for the foot to be numb and so painful after all this time, there just seems to be something else wrong.  Also if you need this info, I am a 43 yr old female.

Answer
Loren,

Can you send me the pics from the Cervical Spine MRI?  If I can get a good look at those, then I will be in a much better position to offer you my expert opinion with potential help for you.  You can send the MRI pictures to my email at:  [email protected]

Yours in Best Health,
Dr Robert Arnone
Upper Cervical Specific Doctor
"Brainstem Specialist"
The Arnone Clinic
711 Old Ballas Road Suite 104
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
314 995 5719
[email protected]
www.AchieveSuperHealth.com