Question
I am a 31 year old female and was in a car accident 6 weeks ago, and was
told that doctors fused c-4 and c-5 together and c-6 and c-7 together.  I
have not asked enough questions, which is evident as I read through these q
and a's,, but apparently I am suffering from some sort of SCI.  I went to the a
different doctor to remove stitches from the second of my surgeries and he is
the one who referred me to physical therapy for SCI.  I am up and walking,
and have most of the use of my hands.  Obviously, my strength is completely
wiped out.  When I take a shower, I can see the water hit the lower half of me,
so I know it is, but I can't truly say I  feel it.  As for my hands, there is
extreme numbness in the pinkies and ring fingers of each hand.  The
muscles in my arms jump sporadically, almost painfully, and they itch, kind
of inside my arm.  Does that make sense?  I cannot tell when my feet are hot
or cold, as it seems as though they, too, get numb.  What kind of information
can you give me as far as when all this will stop, if ever, and what kind of
exercises I should be doing?
Thank you for your time, I appreciate any information you can give me.
Cat

Answer
hi cat

yes, the numbness is entirely like an SCI- obviously "incomplete" since you can walk. this is when the injury does not screw up all the nerves that travel up and down your spinal cord (you have sensation ones and movement ones- you seem to have gotten just the sensation ones injured)

feeling things sort of below the skin is familiar to me, although it's hard to describe, huh? i have a place in my shoulder that still itches but i can't sratch it as it's below the skin..

the phys therapy will help get your strength back- it can be a slow venture but it will come. sometimes the swelling around the cord takes as long as a year to go down, so you may have some relief- gradually. in all honesty though it may remain the same. it's impossible to tell.

best advice is to try to focus on small goals rather than returning to 'normal' right away. it's a drag, i know, but you've got your work cut out for you with therapy and such

good luck- i'll be out here if you have more questions
leslie