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Partial Numbing After I Had This Hemi Laminectomy What Could Be The Reason?
Posted on
Tue, 24 Jul 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 24 Jul 2018
Answered on
Thu, 8 Dec 2022
Last reviewed on
Question : Dear Doctor,
I had an injury back in 2011, where i fractured my tibia, fibula and my talus was severely traumatized. I underwent a triple arthrodesis in July 2012, following some healing of the subtalar joint. In 2017, I had L6-L7 hemi laminectomy. My neurosurgeon identified spinal stenosis in the same area, after a lower MRI of that region. In August 2017, I had this hemi laminectomy, and I've had several months of healing. in January 2018, I started having some neuropathy symptoms, even though i am not diabetic. I am not sure why this partial numbing in my feet is going on, but I'm concerned about it and want to pursue the right avenue in seeking treatment. I am approximately 350 lbs, 6'1", morbidly obese, and I'm sure that is not helping the matter. Can you please direct me to seek the proper channels to see if there is hope of finding a treatment for whatever the root cause of this neuropathological manifestation in my feet. MY right side, where the injury and the laminotomy, is the worse side, the left side is not as bad, but still partial numbing.
I had an injury back in 2011, where i fractured my tibia, fibula and my talus was severely traumatized. I underwent a triple arthrodesis in July 2012, following some healing of the subtalar joint. In 2017, I had L6-L7 hemi laminectomy. My neurosurgeon identified spinal stenosis in the same area, after a lower MRI of that region. In August 2017, I had this hemi laminectomy, and I've had several months of healing. in January 2018, I started having some neuropathy symptoms, even though i am not diabetic. I am not sure why this partial numbing in my feet is going on, but I'm concerned about it and want to pursue the right avenue in seeking treatment. I am approximately 350 lbs, 6'1", morbidly obese, and I'm sure that is not helping the matter. Can you please direct me to seek the proper channels to see if there is hope of finding a treatment for whatever the root cause of this neuropathological manifestation in my feet. MY right side, where the injury and the laminotomy, is the worse side, the left side is not as bad, but still partial numbing.
Brief Answer:
Get EMG and nerve conduction study done.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Diabetes is not the only possible cause of the neuropathy, other conditions include trauma of nerves or compression, alcohol use, viral infections, heavy metals or chemicals, etc.
Some numbness may persist for a long time after spinal stenosis.
Since you are obese and you had trauma in the past, compressed nerves may be a possible explanation.
In my opinion, nerve conduction study and EMG may give valuable information about the diagnosis.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Get EMG and nerve conduction study done.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Diabetes is not the only possible cause of the neuropathy, other conditions include trauma of nerves or compression, alcohol use, viral infections, heavy metals or chemicals, etc.
Some numbness may persist for a long time after spinal stenosis.
Since you are obese and you had trauma in the past, compressed nerves may be a possible explanation.
In my opinion, nerve conduction study and EMG may give valuable information about the diagnosis.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
So if the compression is the root cause of the nerve compression, would physical therapy and exercise be the key to treatment of this condition more so than a pharmaceutical route? The various pain and sensations are precluding me from thinking that exercise would be helpful, but for some reason another part of me believes that exercise would be helpful as well as some professional physical therapy. Do you believe that doing these things would help more than hurt?
So if the compression is the root cause of the nerve compression, would physical therapy and exercise be the key to treatment of this condition more so than a pharmaceutical route? The various pain and sensations are precluding me from thinking that exercise would be helpful, but for some reason another part of me believes that exercise would be helpful as well as some professional physical therapy. Do you believe that doing these things would help more than hurt?
Brief Answer:
The cause needs to be found first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
There are various types of treatment for neuropathy symptoms, but always guided by the cause.
You need to undergo at first nerve conduction study and EMG to understand better the condition.
For example, if the nerves are compressed at the distal part of the legs ( tarsal tunnel syndrome for example) surgery (decompression) is the best treatment way.
Tailored exercises and physical therapy help in most of cases in improving symptoms too.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.
The cause needs to be found first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
There are various types of treatment for neuropathy symptoms, but always guided by the cause.
You need to undergo at first nerve conduction study and EMG to understand better the condition.
For example, if the nerves are compressed at the distal part of the legs ( tarsal tunnel syndrome for example) surgery (decompression) is the best treatment way.
Tailored exercises and physical therapy help in most of cases in improving symptoms too.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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