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While your hand symptoms may be contributed to by carpal tunnel, your other symptoms would suggest a myelopathy (or spinal cord lesion), of which one of the most common cause is cervical spondylosis (usually from wear and tear of the cervical vertebrae and discs)
The EMG and NCS will not show a myelopathy other than reduced activation of motor muscle fibers and carpal tunnel is a common incidental but inconnected finding.
Its not clear to me if the spondylosis was diagnosed by MRI, I presume it was. I cannot comment on the severity of the spondylosis and as to how much the spinal cord is pinched without seeing your MRI, so my advice as far as reccomendations for surgery is limited. Wearing a soft neck collar at night or at other times if it benefits your symptoms can help prevent worsening and be more comfortable for you. There are no specific reccomendation other than avoiding excessive physical activity and neck stretching such as roller coaster rides or painting the ceiling. Physical therapy can be beneficial - it is important to keep conditioned and flexible as possible in your limbs until a surgical procedure can be done. Surgery will prevent the problems getting worse, but it may not reverse what is already there - that is up to the body to heal itself over time
If no abnormal signal within the spinal cord was present, that is a good sign that nerve damage has not occurred too severely.
GOod luck
The EMG and NCS will not show a myelopathy other than reduced activation of motor muscle fibers and carpal tunnel is a common incidental but inconnected finding.
Its not clear to me if the spondylosis was diagnosed by MRI, I presume it was. I cannot comment on the severity of the spondylosis and as to how much the spinal cord is pinched without seeing your MRI, so my advice as far as reccomendations for surgery is limited. Wearing a soft neck collar at night or at other times if it benefits your symptoms can help prevent worsening and be more comfortable for you. There are no specific reccomendation other than avoiding excessive physical activity and neck stretching such as roller coaster rides or painting the ceiling. Physical therapy can be beneficial - it is important to keep conditioned and flexible as possible in your limbs until a surgical procedure can be done. Surgery will prevent the problems getting worse, but it may not reverse what is already there - that is up to the body to heal itself over time
If no abnormal signal within the spinal cord was present, that is a good sign that nerve damage has not occurred too severely.
GOod luck
Sure sorry to hear about the insurance situation at Gainesville, frustration comes to mind. One would think if Jax accepted A, B and C insurance, so would Gainesville. I went to Gainesville during the years of 1992 through 1996 and the biggest complaint by most - the system was bogged down because they would accept everyone, including the uninsured, but you still could get to see a doctor within a reasonable amount of time. So now, you have insurance they don't accept, yet they will accept certain insurance and all of the uninsured, Hmmmmmm. I guess it is just a sign of the times, but to me it is hard to really understand that those with no insurance get treatment and those with certain insurance don
Thank you for your comment and suggestions. I have submitted all of my info for a consultation at Shands Gainesville. Hopefully they will accept me as a patient and can help me soon. I have received 3 different opinions, all of them suggest surgery. The problem I am facing is the lack of surgeon's who accept my insurance. Shands, here in Jax, has given me an appt. in late July and I fear that the longer I wait the chance of permanent damage will be greater. I purchased a collar this morning and plan on wearing it as needed as you suggested. I agree with you about being in control of my health decisions. I wish you the best of luck and pray that your pain goes away.
If you are worried about the delay in time Mayo clinics have a walk in policy. You can call and see what the average wait time is at the present time. The first day they triage you and get your details and then you show up everyday until they call your name. Usually any where between 3 to 10 days depending on the current number showing up. Call ahead and see what the average wait time is.
Hey, I just posted a question right after you on this forum and I to live in Jax. I am not a doctor, but I
Hi, I to have been having problems again with my neck. I now live in Jacksonville, Fl. My first neuro doctor in Spring Hill Fl. told me to go to Shands in Gainesville. He said that they would take my insurance and they were the best(Dr. Jacob) is one of the best for the neck? Maybe your local Dr. can fax all the info. to Shands and get you in faster? back in 1998 I had surgery on c6&7(herniation)all was well only alittle tingling down my right arm from time to time no real pain, until about 1 month ago. this time the pain is all on my left shoulder,arm & my 2nd two fingers are numb on my left hand,I had an MRI no dye done very quick this time, report states broad based centeral herniation at 6-7 again with impinging spinal cord.? I have my 1st appt. with Shands G-Ville on June 10... I'm very fearful this second time around, the 1st surgery was done in the back and healed very fast. I am told that if done again it might have to be done through the front and alot different type of surgery.. I am only 39 yrs. old ...I sure hope that it is just scar tissue in the same area.? Thanks for letting me vent any info. would be great... Good Luck to all of you, Please keep trying to get into Shands or Mayo? My Dr. said that Mayo was good but alot of young Dr.'s bye for now...
I found out today that Shands Gainesville will not accept me as a patient because they do not accept my insurance. I have called all of my doctors and my insurance company and everyone has told me the same thing...I have to wait until Shands here in Jax can perform the surgery. I cannot understand why my need for care is being treated as a well care check-up. I'm not excited about a 6 hour surgery nor the risks involved. What happened to helping people? As far as Mayo, I'll give them a call but I feel more confident in Shands. Maybe it's the gator in me...LOL
I do plan on seeing if there is any legal recourse and determined to make some noise and to be heard. Good luck to all of you.
I do plan on seeing if there is any legal recourse and determined to make some noise and to be heard. Good luck to all of you.
Shands Hospital Gainesville is a teaching hospital and is tax supported. I believe they will see anyone wanting to come there, it is a very busy place. Since they are a teaching hospital, they tend to be up to date on the latest medical technologies. Before you go there, gather up all your medical records pertaining to this incident, including the films and results of all your tests. Their radiology dept will review your films and give their opinion of them on the first visit. I also believe if Shands Jax is accepting your insurance, Shands Gainesville will also as they are the same ownership. It is sad as patients we must continually have to deal with these insurance issues.... You don
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