Can Surgery For Cervical Spinal Stenosis Cause Spasms In Right Hand And Forearm With History Of Arthritis ?

Posted on Mon, 13 Jun 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I just had surgery for cervical spinal stenosis. Now, I have uncontrollable spasms in my right hand & forearm. I can't use the mouse on my computer & the thumb is really hurting.
I am 69, 5' 7" 116 lbs. I have arthritis and the surgery happened May 31, 2011.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (1 hour later)

Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

After the surgery for cervical stenosis, sometimes post operatively there is some nerve fibres involvement in the cervical area due to the swelling of the surrounding tissues due to which you are having this problem in your right hand.Normally this is mildest form of nerve injury called as neuropraxia and it usually recovers without any treatment. The exact chances of full recovery can only be assessed after having an MRI scan one month after the surgery. A complete examination will also help in assessing the extent of damage to your nerve.

I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. If there are additional concerns, I am available for your followups.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar