Question
my mother had spinal cord compression after a fall in September 2006 at the level of C4,C5, C6 C7. this made her muscle power about 0 in lower limbs and 1-2 and both arms. To start with she could not even turn in the bed . Laminnectomy  plasty with anterior decompression and fixation of vertebrae was suggested in September 2006 . we thought of risk involved in surgery and resorted to conservative treatment. Physiotherapy was given every day
Gradually over   six months from 0 muscle power she was able to stand then even walk with help of a walker .(she used combination of walker and wheel chair). She had comparative good health till end of 2007.  End of  2007 she stared to complain of sever  back pain  On investigating again (MRI, X-Ray blood test ) it was found that she had multiple Myloma. This was a big blow to all of us

Multiple Myloma treatment was started in March 2008. It included dexamethasone and latest drug lanomide and given for 4 month. Every month she was also given bioipospate inj.
She started to show improvement and by July she  was using walker again.  In fact she was in remission. Again for three and half months she had comparatively good health. MEANING  NO MUSCLE PAIN -NO BONE PAIN  ABLE TO STAND ABLE TO WALK WITH WALKER

On 29th mid October 2008 morning my mother 74 years of age, was just not able to get up from bed. Again muscle power was 0.  MRI and blood test were done .  MRI showed old cervical cord compression C4 , C5, C6 and C7and  wedging  of thoracic vertebrae at 3 --4 levels. Collapse of thoracic vertebrae with high intensity signals in bodies of thoracic vertebrae no syrinx. Thinking  of spinal cord oedema, methyl prednisolone 14 mg twice a day was given  for 5 days  and then tapered off
Neurological findings consists of; exaggerated reflexes of upper motor neurone type
babbinsky sigh is positive. Weakness rt side planters extensors
jerks are exaggerated-- triceps plus knee plus;
Tingling numbness both hands feet since 2006.
NO SENSORY LOSS

THERE R NO ROOT PAINS NOT IN SHOULDERS OR ARMS

RIGIDITY SPASTICITY HAS APPEARED IN RIGHT THIGH MUSCLES

ADDUCTORS RT OF HIP HAVE INCRSED TONE

SHE IS UNABLE TO SUPPORT HER SELF CAN NOT STAND NOR WALK

HER HAND GRIPS RT SIDE WEAK CAN NOT HOLD SPOON
CLUMSY HANDS
-
HIP RT EXTENSORS R WEAK SHE CAN RAISE HER BOTH LEGS LEFT  MORE THAN RIGHT

SHE CAN RAISE RT LEG BY 30 DEGREES SLR

SHE GETS FATIGUED AFTER 2 -3 LIFTS  
SHE GETS INVOLUNTARY COTRACTIONS OF THE  RT LEG MUSCLES THAT IS JERKS IN THE RT LEG WHICH MOVES HER RT LIMB INVOLUNTARILY REASON GIVEN  SPINAL CORD COMPRESSION


HER MUSCELL MASS HAS REDUCED

SHE HAS CHRONIC OSTEOARTHRITIS OF BOTH KNEES
HER VISCERAL REFLEXES CONSTIPATION

PASSES ONE STOOL PER DAY AFTER WAITING SITTING ON WHEEL CHAIR COMMODE

URINE COMES IN BOUTS

NO ODEMA OVER FEET

APPETITE IS GOOD

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM BLOOD PRESSURE NORMAL
PULSE ARROUND  65   70 75
BP 120/60-===70 WITH TREATMENT( LOSAR 50-VISOPROLOL 2.5 AMLODYPIN 5MG )

SERUM CALCIUM IONIC CALCIUM IS NORMAL URINE NORMAL NO BENCE JONES PROTEINS
NO ALBUMIN

NO BED SORES
WE MOVE HER SIDE WAYS
DIET - PROTEINS MORE WITH MUlTIVITAMIN TABLETS METHYLCOBALAMINE 1500
ALSO PREGABLINE 75 MG ONCE

HER MAIN COMPLAINTS TO DAY  -SHE CAN NOT STAND  UP FROM BED
DIFFICULT TO TURN IN BED
FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS  AND DEPENDENCE

HOW LONG WILL IT BE LIKE THIS
WE CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT HAPPENED AGAIN??
2ND TIME SHE LOST THE MUSCLE POWER AFTER BECOMING ALLRIGHT
SHE DID NOT FALL OR TRIP OVER

Our questions are
.
1. How can chiropractor help and  how do they  treat such patient with spinal cord compression particularly with history like my mother?
2. what option are there ? can DRX 900 technology help in my mothers case ?can  traction be given? we are concerned about giving traction in a case of spinal cord compression as we can not see the exact angle at which the pull is being made
3 during chiropractors visit will there be much movement of cervical spine? What are the risks of complications and of which type?
4. Approximately how long does  the treatment take?
5 any suggestion that might help my mum

I know this is a long email .Thank you for your time given to this email/case.
worried daughter  

Answer
Koshav,
In regards to your mother, a chiropractor can possibly help her with her spinal cord compression if in fact the compression is due to a subluxation.  A subluxation is when a spinal bone is in the wrong position and irritates nerves, the spinal cord itself, or even the brainstem.  This is only something that can be determined by a chiropractor and in this instance I would recommend an Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractor.
To answer question #2:  Decompression can help if it is done very mildly and not too often.  Over use of the decompression table can actually cause instability and vulnerability to future injury.  We do not use any decompression tables in our clinic.
#3Again I recommend the more specific and scientific approach which is what the Upper Cervical Specific Doctor will bring to the table.  There is no violent rotation of the head or neck and it is a more direct vector which is found from measuring the specific x-rays or MRI that would be taken first.
#4 In out clinic most visits can range from 20 minutes to about an hour.  The first 3 visits are longer and whenever there is a specific adjustment with resting afterwards it will take longer.  so most visits are 20 minutes and a few scattered in between would be closer to an hour.
#5  My suggestion would be to send me any pics from the MRI so I could see if I might be able to help her with her situation.  I have been fortunate to be able to help many people in a similar situation but every case is indeed different and the only way to know for sure would be to look at the films and then evaluate her personally.

We can take it one step at a time and if you could email me the pictures of the MRI or mail me the CD that would be terrific.

My email address is [email protected] and my physical address is:
Dr Robert Arnone
Arnone Specific Chiropractic
711 Old Ballas Road Suite 104
St Louis, MO 63141
314.995.5719

Yours in Best Health,
Dr Arnone
Upper Cervical Specific Doctor
"Brainstem Specialist"