Question
My father fell from a ladder 2m from the ground 10 weeks ago and was hospitalised for over a month after that (2 weeks in ICU). He suffered a head injury, six broken ribs and lung problems but is a fighter and after 6 weeks was home on his feet breathing by himself. A week ago he started feeling numbness in his left hand and fingers along with back and neck pain. The doctor asked for an MRI of the Cervical Spine and these were the findings described in the report:
"Images through the disc spaces show a left paracentral disc herniation at C2/3. C3/4 shows a small broad-based disc herniation with no significant mass effect. The C4/5 level is unremarkable. C5/6 shows a large broad-based disc herniation eccentric to left with extension into, an resultant narrowing of, the left neural foramina. The C6/7 level has a broad-based disc herniation as well. Minimal mass effect.
The doctor has advised my father to be seen by a neurologist and scared us all by saying he may possibly become paralysed. We are now looking into this but may well take a few weeks as my father is not in his home country at the moment and will have to travel over 12h by plane to get here. Is there any information you can help me with? Is it really this serious? Will it be that harmful to be seen in a weeks time rather than stay where he is (a country with no neurologist). Thanks for any help


Answer
Hi Mon,
Because I'm not a doctor I'll leave all of the technical stuff to them. But yes it could be that serious. He does need to see a neurologist asap. Whether a few weeks matters or not, only a qualified neurologist could answer that. I know a doctor in Wisconsin who may be able to give you an answer to your questions.
His name is Dr. Cully White
at 2901 W KK River Pkwy # 201  
Milwaukee, WI 53215-3660
(414) 649-3924

I will keep good thoughts for you and your father.
And I hope this helps, sincerely, Ken