If I Experienced An Acute Injury To My Spine Or

Posted on Thu, 14 Nov 2019

Question: If i experienced an acute injury to my spine or nerves (i dont know what kind of i jury) while exercising. Possibly a disk compression, cord compression, nerve compression. If that injury is causing spasms bilateral lower extremity calves, sometimes shoulders. And also causing interference with small intestine motility although maybe higher but definitely affecting bowel over all. But...no other symptoms. No pain in legs or arms no shooting pain. No bladder issues. No cognitive issues. No difficulty walking standing. Just bowel..and spasms mainly both lower extremities. The only slight pain seems to be thoracic vertebre area on right side, Around t10. Feels like inflammation. Ive had xrays shows kyphosis lordosis. But this all happened as an acute thing while walking and carrying weights. What could this be??

What is the next step.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems like a muscular condition.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.

I have read your query and here is my advice.

Acute spinal cord and/or nerves damage manifests with symptoms such as acute pain, numbness, weakness, etc.

Only muscles spasms don't mean that there is a spinal cord or nerves damage.

Problems with bowel movement may be a separate issue.

So, in conclusion, I think that yours is a muscular problem.

As a necessary step to understand correctly your condition is an evaluation by your primary care Doctor.

Discuss with your Doctor for these issues.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (35 minutes later)

Ok...if bowel is a separate issue...and this is something that occured acutely after exercising. What type of injury could cause constant muscle spasms but especially when laying down. Spasms in calves thighs bottom of feet shoulder. Thumbs once. What kind of acute injury could cause spasms like that, that persist.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
A direct muscle injury may cause spasms.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

An acute injury that may cause muscle spasms may be one that damages directly the muscles such as overstretching, overuse, or direct impaction.

Excessive exercise may result in electrolyte imbalance too.

Supplements of magnesium seem to be appropriate in your case, this for two reasons:

1- magnesium may improve bowel movements

2- magnesium may improve muscle spasms.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 hours later)

Your not understanding....what could cause constant muscle spasms to the whole body legs calves feet hands thumbs for months. Without end.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
A neurological disorder to consider.

Detailed Answer:
Okay, now the problem seems more clear.

An injury is unlikely to cause only muscle spasms without any other neurological deficits.

Neurological degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, etc. may cause such issues for months.

Transverse myelitis symptoms, for example, may start acutely.

Benign fasciculations syndrome also may be a possibility.

Since your problems are going on for a long time, an examination by your Neurologist and MRI of your brain with cervical spinal cord is necessary.

Hope this helps.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng