Question
In early June of 2008 I had cervical discectmies at C5/6, and 6/7 with fusion.  One week later i was back in the O.R. to stop some bleeding in my neck at which time they put a drain in for 3 days.  I was placed in the ICU for 3 days.  After the second surgery I noticed severe weakness in right arm when attempting to lift it above shoulder height or reach across body.  The doctor and Physical therapists were baffled at first but came up with long thoracic nerve problem due to the winging of my right scapula.  I have been in PT now for 7 weeks with absolutely no progress.  And, yes, i perform the exercises diligently at home.  I have an EMG scheduled this week and was wondering...shouldn't I be seeing SOME results from PT by now?  It's been 4 months almost since my surgery and i cant even throw a ball to my son.  My arm just seems dead. And how could this possibly have happened during surgery?

Answer
long thoracic nerve damage, 'baffled' MD and PT, arm seems dead, cervical discectomies at C5/6, and 6/7 with fusion, second surgery,

Hello Robert,

Sorry to hear of your invasive surgeries, pain, 'dead arm', long thoracic nerve damage.

First and foremost, just as you have asked questions here, do not hesitate to ask your SURGEON, neuro, or PT these and other questions. Your surgeon was in there and permanently changed your structure.  Surgery is always a big deal and always requires rehabilitation and prolonged recovery.  You have had SPINAL surgery.  You will probably not return to your former job or your former activity level.  You may need a year to fully recuperate.  Be patient.  Follow the surgeon's, MD's, and PT's instructions to the letter.

I am sorry to hear that conservative noninvasive treatment failed you. Usually, before surgery, even MD's recommend a period of conservative pharmaceuticals and/ or physical therapy.  Of course, I would have recommended a trial of Chiropractic.  I am sorry that conservative chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, physical therapy, all failed to bring good results.

Surgery- takes a long time to recover from.  Ask your surgeon, MD, PT these questions.  Surgery makes permanent changes; perhaps your 'dead arm' wil come back with patience and treatment, perhaps not--- you have to ask the people who changed your structure.

Certainly anti-inflammatory nutrients and nervous system and joint support nutrition would be helpful; ask your surgeon and PT what they recommend.

Yes, do the EMG/ncv for information.  Perhaps a new MRI.  But most of all- be patient- you have had surgery--- it takes time to heal.

Some information I hand out in my office:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Disk   Herniation

Herniated  disk  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   However,  the course of the condition is highly variable.   Some patients with a herniated disk literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.   Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow:  Ice the area when painful-  10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off;  avoid certain postures and movements;  bend the knees when coughing or sneezing;  bend the knees when lifting anything;  do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving.   Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition.   Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful.
Disk  Herniation  is often caused by, or often  concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

         Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

Subluxation  is  a  serious  condition  identified  by  its  five  parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

    Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.   
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.     Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-   mechanical-   problem  requires  a   mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PAIN     Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?  Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.  That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car- -- do you ignore it until the car breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  Pain, pain in your body- -- do you ignore it until your body breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   Pain,  do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?  

NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:  Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;   

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.
Vertebral  Subluxation           (  慥SC?,    憇ubluxation?  )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).   

Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC.   

The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Robert, I hope the above helps you.  ASK the surgeon, neuro, and PT involved in your care these same questions, be patient, follow instructions.  You have placed yourself in their hands, have confidence, do as instructed, it takes time.

If further needed, please do not hesitate to re-contact me here at allexperts.com.  Good luck and I wish you good health naturally.

Your staten island chiropractor signing off,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com      (email newsletter)