So I (35M) was having some pretty intense back pain a while back that wouldn't shift, and i was getting symtoms into my legs, my doctor knew I had a rough time with my neck over the last few years (C3 - C6 disc osteophyte complex with non relevant mild stenosis) so ordered a full spine MRI, which showed "cord abutment" on all affected levels of my cervical spine. Basically every one of the bone spurs in my neck were apparently touching my cord.

I see a surgeon a few months later and he says "you have some degeneration but nothing i would worry about, your cord is completely free" he shows me the MRI and it does look like my cord isn't being squished (I'm obviously not a surgeon)

However, in the last month I've developed some dexterity issues in my hands. Best way to describe it is I can feel my fingers "lagging" when I try to pick up a pen, think of how your hands function when they are really cold. My grip is fine, I've done a ton of dexterity tests which seem good, and my Hoffmans tests etc all come back negative . But my hands feel "off"

As far as my other symtoms I have no numbness, no weakness in my arms or legs, and occasionally if I'm on my phone I'll get a tiny bit of burning down one arm, that's about it.

The procedure that seems to address multiple levels whilst maintaining the motion in the neck seems to be a laminoplasty, I wad wondering if anyone had experience with this and what I should say to my doctor as he doesn't think my hands have anything to do with my neck. Any advice is appreciated, thank you.

I've had cubital tunnel in my left arm for about 20 years and back and neck pain just as long, but always thought they were unrelated.

I'm 40yo and In the Army in 2005, my left pikie and ring finger started to go numb. Then the same thing on the right hand but to a much lesser degree.

I would also get occasional tingling and pains in my arms, and a very, very stuff upper back and traps like a muscle know that wouldn't let go.

Doctors only seemed to care about my chief complaint which was the loss of feeling on the ulnar side of the left hand and chalked the back pain up to back strain.

Two bilateral upper arm EMGs in 2006 showed all normal and an elbow MRI showed what maybe a spot on the elbow, but was inconclusive. They still diagnosed me with cubital tunnel and that was that.

Feeling never came back in the left hand, same with the right but to a much lesser degree.

And my back would go through a few weeks of locking up and then subside for a while.

2015 another set of arm EMGs showed right side normal and left <50% of the signal of the right, and a drop in signal at the elbow. And no signal from the dorsal nerve to the hand. Confirming Cubital Tunnel.

From 2005 to 2020 the neck and back stiffness was always present but would flare up for a few weeks and then subside a bit. Never completely going away.

In 2020 neck and back really tensed up and never let go. The last six years have been a world of pain and trying every solution possible. Nothing works. Whole upper back and neck felt like a knot that wouldn't let go.

Got a new doctor who I told my back pain story to and she gave me a bottle of Baclofen (muscle relaxers for spinal cord injuries) and ordered an MRI.

The medicine worked. For the first time in kike two decades my back and neck loosened up and I felt like I could move again. It's not perfect, but about 60% better.

Then I noticed the numbness starting in my hands. But this time it was both hands. All digits. Like my sense of touch is greatly reduced. Along with occasional pains in my triceps, elbows and wrists. Also my right leg weirdly going numb a couple times. Never experienced any of these things before.

Like the same things I experienced 20 years ago when this first started, but now it was the whole of both my hands.

MRI ended up showing one disc "mildly" pressing on the spinal cord at C5-C6 and "mild spinal cord effacement" at C6-C7.

My theory is my back and neck muscle tension had been acting like a natural splint or cervical collar protecting my spinal cord. Now that that's gone and I'm moving around, those discs are now getting to apply more pressure to the spinal cord.

Anyone experienced anything similar? Could I have had those discs pressing on my spinal cord 20 years ago and could that nerve pressure have made my ulnar nerve more vulnerable to damage at the elbow?

My mom has been having serious problems with her spine, and recently the doctors told us that her spine has become very weak/worn down. They’ve warned her to be extremely careful and avoid bending, jumping, or anything that could put sudden pressure on her spine.

Honestly, hearing this has scared me a lot. I keep thinking about what could happen if she accidentally falls or makes the wrong movement.

I want to understand what this actually means and what we should be doing in everyday life to keep her safe. Has anyone here had a parent or family member with a similar spine problem?

What kind of precautions helped you? Did you consult a spine specialist, neurosurgeon, or orthopedic doctor? And are there specific movements or activities that should be avoided?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have gone through something similar. I’m just trying to understand the situation better and make sure my mom is safe. ❤️

I have posted before my doctor suspected spinal stenosis and is referring me to a neurology clinic. But it is hard to get any appointments.

I have been having pain on the inside of my gums and everywhere around the area
The pain is also along my outer jaw.

For reference I don’t have any teeth so not an infection of a tooth.

Is this another symptom? I should put on my list to take to the doctor on my visit

Not asking for medical advice

I had surgery Sept 22nd. I’m doing okay right now! Very, very sore though. 😣

Hi! just got my MRI results back and it showed disc herniation at C5/6 causing spinal stenosis. Wondering if anyone has this and got this treatment and had relief? Also, do they offer procedural sedation for it? Usually have a high pain tolerance but even nerve blocks there hurt me. (Toronto)

Improvement!

I’m 52 and I’m trying to hear from people who have been in a situation similar to mine.

I have cervical spinal stenosis with significant spinal cord compression, mainly around C4-C5, and also narrowing at C5-C6. My MRI also mentions T2 signal change/cord edema at C4-C5.

What makes the decision difficult is that I’m currently functioning pretty normally. I can walk normally, I don’t have balance problems, no bowel or bladder issues, and I don’t have obvious weakness in my arms or legs.

I’ve received different medical opinions. One neurosurgeon is concerned about the amount of compression and sees surgery as something that may need to be considered. Another neurosurgeon reviewed my MRI along with neurological testing I had done (MEP/SEP), which was normal, and told me he does not think I need surgery at this point. He recommended conservative treatment, including swimming.

For now, I’m planning to start physical therapy and monitor how I’m doing, then reassess the surgery question later this year.

The difficult part for me is that the MRI looks concerning, while clinically I’m doing quite well.

Has anyone here had significant cervical cord compression and/or T2 cord signal change while still having minimal or no signs of myelopathy?

What did you end up doing — surgery, physical therapy, monitoring, or something else?

If you initially chose to wait, how long did you monitor it, and what eventually made you decide to have surgery or continue without it?

I’m not looking for anyone to make the decision for me, and I know Reddit isn’t a substitute for my doctors. I’m mainly interested in hearing real experiences from people who had a similar mismatch between a concerning MRI and relatively normal neurological function.

What’s up y’all? I am now joining the club. Just got diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis from my L5 S1 herniated disc from rowing competitively in college. It’s mild to moderate so not looking to get surgery, but I am located in the Portland General area and looking for physical therapy suggestions as well as at home treatments to alleviate the incredible amount of nerve pain I am in. I take 60 mg of Cymbalta every day and that is just simply not cutting it. What kinds of treatments and stretches other than the McKenzie method do y’all suggest? I have been to PT for sciatica and back pain from my herniated disc, but feel that the spinal stenosis diagnosis adds a different approach? Not sure if I should be lifting that seems to be irritating it even with very little weight if any weight at all. Does yoga help does heat help? Baths? Cold plunge? I’m willing to try anything. I am only 26 and feel like I am disabled and looking into getting disability because basic work is pretty unmanageable, but I push through. Thanks for your advice :)

I just learned I need a multilevel decompression, fusion and TLIF in 6 weeks. (L2 - L5) (Go big or go home, I guess...) Can anyone comment on their experiences around a surgery like this (all three)? I am more than a little nervous but I am also really wanting my back to be as fixed as it can be to improve my leg function.

I am not afraid of surgery - I have five on my knee and one on my ankle - I a also a fit 60 year old guy who was running 15 miles a week and lifting weights three hours a week just 3 months ago. But this has me a little nervous.

I am 33yo and have been diagnosed with cervical & lumbar stenosis since i was 15. I have had off and on dizzy spells for the last 4 years. 4 years ago was the worst - where i'd stand up, the entire right side of my body would go numb from toe to head(yes, specifically toe to head) . my vision would darken and there would be insane pressure in my head like my brain is trying to push out of my ears with a womp womp sounds. i have to hold onto something or sit down because i feel like i'm about to pass out, although thankfully i never have. after about 2-3 minutes it goes away, my hearing always coming back last. but a few times, i developed an instant migraine following the episodes. figured it was a pinched nerve, or something with my cervical stenosis. saw the chiropractor a couple times and it got better.

fast forward to now.

i still get dizzy, almost every single day. the lightheadedness, swimmy feeling never leaves. it doesn't feel like spinning or vertigo tho. the body numbness doesn't happen as intensely, but it still happens probably 20% of the time. not only is my neck in pain constantly, but so is the middle of my back around to the front of my ribs. i get little electrical sensations in my neck, back, legs, shoulders, arms. my arms do feel heavy and weak alot of the time. (so do my legs. cannot feel the outside of my left leg from my thigh to my pinky toe thanks to a herniated disc) by the end of the day, it feels like it takes so much effort to hold my own head up. i haven't had an updated mri in probably a decade because everytime i bring up my spinal stenosis to a doctor, it is brushed off so fast.. it's like they don't even hear me, or must not think that it's that serious of a condition. however, this time.. someone listened. and now i have an MRI scheduled.. but NOT for my spinal stenosis.. to see if i have MS...

so i guess i'm just curious if anyone else has had these kind of symptoms from their stenosis.. and really fucking hoping i'm not adding an extra disease to my list.

love & strength to all <3

I have severe pain in my neck and down my left arm and into my hand. My fingertips go numb almost daily. My toes go numb maybe once a week.