I've just undergone emergency surgery for this. None of these tests were positive in my case. My symptoms were that I couldn't walk properly, unsteady on my feet. Then I had severe hyoer reflexia and sustained clonus on my feet. I had patches of altered sensation not just on my arms and legs but on the trunk of my body. This led to Dr's not thinking that it was spinal related as it was atypical. Within a 6 week period, I went from tripping over my feet to numbness and tingling over different areas of my body. In the last 3 days prior to surgery, the numb feeling had spread up the top and side of one leg and into my outer arm and fingers. Spinal MRI showed 9mm signal cord change where a herniated disc (between T1-C7) had started to dig into my spinal cord. I'm day 3 post surgery, and symptoms have improved in 1 leg, but patches of altered sensation across my body as well as tingling and numbness in 1 lower leg. I never lost overall strength in my limbs, which also threw Dr's. Very grateful a neurologist orde4d rhe urgent spinal MRI. I'd had a normal BRAIN MRI when I couldn't walk properly; so Dr's were reassured by that. It's a tricky disease to diagnose as it presents very differently in each person. I was 'lucky' in that mine was rapidly progressing; had the changes occurred over months or years (as is the usual case) it would probably have been missed. Having said that, had it been possible to detect earlier, I'd probably not have the residual loss of function I have now that may very well be permanent. But of course, not having any of the symptoms in this video and a normal MRI made diagnosis difficult.
Thank you for sharing this with us. If I may ask, how has your condition progressed now that more than a year has passed since you posted this comment?
Got to really appreciate the patient in this for volunteering to help educate others. (Says a lot about the PT too, that he earns such trust and cooperation.) Probably doesn't hurt that the outcome is likely to be pretty good for the patient.
I tested positive for all this my doctor said I wasn't that bad. Go get an injection and come back in 3 months. I will not get the injection. He said if that didn't work we will do surgery on 3 discs. Needless to say I am going for a second opinion.
Surgery will improve your quality of life as well as preventing permanent damage to your cervical, thoracic and/or lumbar. I had a MRI which showed severe spinal stenosis. My MS Neurologist never told me. I got the report from the hospital. I no longer trust doctors anymore because they are too busy to care for their patients. They never listened to you about your symptoms. They are threatened if you research and discover a rare medical issue which they have no knowledge of. I have saved the life of my mother, friends and myself by doing medical research. I told my Neurologist I thought my symptoms of spine instability and foot drop was not MS. The gait is not a MS gait. I have been referred to a neurosurgeon and will get surgery to correct an eccentric disc bulge lumbar spine and as well decompression surgery for severe cervical spinal stenosis and disc degeneration. There is always a risk but have to take the risk to avoid a wheelchair.
Dr Paul....why do people fall incase of stenosis or myelopathy. Is it because of an improper gait - my mother was unable to walk down the stairs even with assistance but is fine walking around the house. Could you please advise. Many thanks, savita
Hello doctor. I dint know if you will read this.. I've been in hospital for 2 months now. Had a bike accident and developed mylopathy. I cannot raise my arms and have tingling in my hands. It has improved a little. Will this be permanent or will it get better with physio therapy. The surgeon said it was not bad enough for surgery. Thank you
Yes my name is Charles n I have had MRI done from my kneck down to my rectum. And I have dagenative disk dases and bulging disk and sistic on left and Bad on the right side. I have Bone growd over in my kneck and parts of my spine. You can't see the white line in a large part of my back. I have had steroid inj.but didn't work n I can't hardly feel from my waste down to my toes. I lose feeling jn my hands and fingers. I have seen a sergoin but I have so much wrong with my spine he didn't want to help me..I'm in pain 24hours a day specially here lately been hurting in my kneck real bad and have had a headache for 2weeks n have sharp pain shoot into the right side of my head. I have Trimbls I can't shave my self n I drop things a lot. I only have medicaid at the time n I can't find help?????
Can you please advise me I’m 39 and my mri scan has showed multilevel degeneration with a discogenic bar at c6/7 leading to severe right side and less pronounced left side foraminal stenosis. Nerve test was normal Hoffmans was positive what’s my best option? as I have had to stop working due to the pain I get. Will I have stenosis forever
I suffer shame issues. I was diagnosed with cervical stenosis 3 years ago. I’m only 41yrs old and my symptoms are worsening. Loose my balance, my right leg gets super numb. I drag it as I walk. Difficult to go up or down stairs. I’ve fallen many times. My quality of life has drastically changed. I can’t do the things I loved to do like dancing. Now I wish I could at least walk with out falling.😢
Got a positive hoffman and hyperflexia, I am only 23 years old female with no history or recent injuries. I just got my cervical spine MRI done today. I have a bad feeling that it might be multiple sclerosis. What other possible conditions can cause positive hoffman for someone my age?
ALS, central cord stenosis which I see a lot of. Don't speculate. Many people are naturally hyper reflexive and have a Hoffman's sign which can be insignificant. Hyperthyroidism can also cause this. Best of luck to you!
Great video. UMN signs in both upper and lower extremities lines up with the cervical stenosis seen here. Thanks this helps studying a lot
Glad you like to info Robert! More to come.
Excellent information spoken very clearly. Thank you very much!
I've just undergone emergency surgery for this. None of these tests were positive in my case. My symptoms were that I couldn't walk properly, unsteady on my feet. Then I had severe hyoer reflexia and sustained clonus on my feet. I had patches of altered sensation not just on my arms and legs but on the trunk of my body. This led to Dr's not thinking that it was spinal related as it was atypical. Within a 6 week period, I went from tripping over my feet to numbness and tingling over different areas of my body. In the last 3 days prior to surgery, the numb feeling had spread up the top and side of one leg and into my outer arm and fingers. Spinal MRI showed 9mm signal cord change where a herniated disc (between T1-C7) had started to dig into my spinal cord. I'm day 3 post surgery, and symptoms have improved in 1 leg, but patches of altered sensation across my body as well as tingling and numbness in 1 lower leg. I never lost overall strength in my limbs, which also threw Dr's. Very grateful a neurologist orde4d rhe urgent spinal MRI. I'd had a normal BRAIN MRI when I couldn't walk properly; so Dr's were reassured by that. It's a tricky disease to diagnose as it presents very differently in each person. I was 'lucky' in that mine was rapidly progressing; had the changes occurred over months or years (as is the usual case) it would probably have been missed. Having said that, had it been possible to detect earlier, I'd probably not have the residual loss of function I have now that may very well be permanent. But of course, not having any of the symptoms in this video and a normal MRI made diagnosis difficult.
Thank you for sharing this with us. If I may ask, how has your condition progressed now that more than a year has passed since you posted this comment?
Very useful video in my review of evaluation and treatment of neck pain in adults.
Thank you Scott!
Got to really appreciate the patient in this for volunteering to help educate others. (Says a lot about the PT too, that he earns such trust and cooperation.) Probably doesn't hurt that the outcome is likely to be pretty good for the patient.
Thank you Paulie! These patients are amazing. They always say "anything to help others learn"
I tested positive for all this my doctor said I wasn't that bad. Go get an injection and come back in 3 months. I will not get the injection. He said if that didn't work we will do surgery on 3 discs. Needless to say I am going for a second opinion.
Good idea. Surgery is a huge and life changing step
Smart those injections are snake oil and are harmful at every level.
Surgery will improve your quality of life as well as preventing permanent damage to your cervical, thoracic and/or lumbar. I had a MRI which showed severe spinal stenosis. My MS Neurologist never told me. I got the report from the hospital. I no longer trust doctors anymore because they are too busy to care for their patients. They never listened to you about your symptoms. They are threatened if you research and discover a rare medical issue which they have no knowledge of. I have saved the life of my mother, friends and myself by doing medical research. I told my Neurologist I thought my symptoms of spine instability and foot drop was not MS. The gait is not a MS gait. I have been referred to a neurosurgeon and will get surgery to correct an eccentric disc bulge lumbar spine and as well decompression surgery for severe cervical spinal stenosis and disc degeneration. There is always a risk but have to take the risk to avoid a wheelchair.
Dr Paul....why do people fall incase of stenosis or myelopathy. Is it because of an improper gait - my mother was unable to walk down the stairs even with assistance but is fine walking around the house. Could you please advise. Many thanks, savita
can I speak with you privately please Paul.
Hello doctor. I dint know if you will read this.. I've been in hospital for 2 months now. Had a bike accident and developed mylopathy. I cannot raise my arms and have tingling in my hands. It has improved a little. Will this be permanent or will it get better with physio therapy. The surgeon said it was not bad enough for surgery. Thank you
Yes my name is Charles n I have had MRI done from my kneck down to my rectum. And I have dagenative disk dases and bulging disk and sistic on left and Bad on the right side. I have Bone growd over in my kneck and parts of my spine. You can't see the white line in a large part of my back. I have had steroid inj.but didn't work n I can't hardly feel from my waste down to my toes. I lose feeling jn my hands and fingers. I have seen a sergoin but I have so much wrong with my spine he didn't want to help me..I'm in pain 24hours a day specially here lately been hurting in my kneck real bad and have had a headache for 2weeks n have sharp pain shoot into the right side of my head. I have Trimbls I can't shave my self n I drop things a lot. I only have medicaid at the time n I can't find help?????
Can you please advise me I’m 39 and my mri scan has showed multilevel degeneration with a discogenic bar at c6/7 leading to severe right side and less pronounced left side foraminal stenosis. Nerve test was normal Hoffmans was positive what’s my best option? as I have had to stop working due to the pain I get. Will I have stenosis forever
Thank you
I suffer shame issues. I was diagnosed with cervical stenosis 3 years ago. I’m only 41yrs old and my symptoms are worsening. Loose my balance, my right leg gets super numb. I drag it as I walk. Difficult to go up or down stairs. I’ve fallen many times. My quality of life has drastically changed. I can’t do the things I loved to do like dancing. Now I wish I could at least walk with out falling.😢
Have you met with a neurologist or physiatrist?
Got a positive hoffman and hyperflexia, I am only 23 years old female with no history or recent injuries. I just got my cervical spine MRI done today. I have a bad feeling that it might be multiple sclerosis. What other possible conditions can cause positive hoffman for someone my age?
ALS, central cord stenosis which I see a lot of. Don't speculate. Many people are naturally hyper reflexive and have a Hoffman's sign which can be insignificant. Hyperthyroidism can also cause this. Best of luck to you!
How is it going now?