Re: RLS/Cord Compression

[Guest guest]

Jeff

The finding of evidence of spinal cord compression, with or without RLS,

is not to be taken lightly. Besides causing acute symptoms in some

people, there is always the danger that long-standing pressure can cause

atrophic and degenerative changes in the spinal cord. The current

understanding is that these changes are irreversible. Relief of the

pressure can stop further damage, but what has already occurred does not

return to normal. The apparatus you describe is for traction of the

spine which sometimes allows the disc to return to its normal position

or relieves pressure on the nerve roots in the area of herniation. In my

case, it aggravated the symptoms of pain from the disc. The amount of

tension used for traction is a critical factor and the results vary from

patient to patient. Results with chiropractic therapy have not been

impressive. Do not perform activities where your arms are extended above

your head for any length of time. Get a ladder and climb to the point

where the work is level with your shoulders. A trial of an NSAID, even

ibuprfoen OTC, might give surprising results. If there is no evidence of

disc herniation at C5 or C7, surgery may eventually be needed. In some

neurosurgeon's opinions, surgery is not good for adjacent disc disease

because of the likelihood of recurrence above or below the surgical

site. Orthopedic surgeons, as a rule, do not subscribe to this belief

and will do a laminectomy and fusion of adjacent discs.

Dr. Levin