Case Presentation:
Cervical Stenosis - Case 6
History & Physical
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50-year-old right-handed lady who presented with progressive weakness, loss of manual dexterity of both upper extremities, right more than left, which had resulted in difficulty with writing and using utensils and difficulty with grooming and cooking. She developed weakness of the lower extremities with pain of 10/10 in the upper extremities as well.
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Her neurological examination showed clinical manifestation of cervical radiculopathy.
Imaging
MRI scan of the patient's cervical spine (neck) shows severe stenosis (narrowing) at C5-C6, and C6-C7.
Surgical Procedure
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After a comprehensive work-up and eliminating other potential contributing causes of her disease, and an appropriate period of conservative measures, she underwent anterior cervical discectomy and instrumented fusion (ACDF) at C56 and C67.
Post-op Course
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She did well postoperatively with immediate significant improvement of her manual dexterity and pain. She was discharged home in two days.