- cerebralpalsyposit
Discovery for “high functioning” adults
Updated: Mar 24, 2021
Dr. Joseph Dutkowsky with an adult patient
Some c-spinal stenosis symptoms are pain/weakness in arms, shoulders or legs, muscle mass loss, jaw pain, droopy eyelids and balance issues.
In November of 2016, there was radiating pain down my arm. My primary care physician was not available. Therefore, scheduled the appointment with his physician’s assistant. She examined me, prescribed stretches and instructed that if the pain was not better when I came in for my annual physical, in January, to mention it. At that time, the PCP ordered neck/shoulder x-rays. Upon calling for the results, the staff’s response was “there’s nothing alarming” so the stretches continued along with my regular exercise routine.
About three months later, while gathering information for a consultation with Dr. Joseph Dutkowsky at the Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center, I discovered the written report indicating narrowing of the cervical spine in the patient portal. I know what “narrowing” means in relation to the spine and planned to discuss it during the consultation. Unfortunately, while enroute to see Dr. Joe, I fell for no apparent reason. Broke my hip and landed in the emergency room. Thankfully, only pins were necessary to fix.
During the conversation with Dr. Dutkowsky, he stated that many “high functioning” adults have cervical spinal stenosis. Due to it’s slow progression, diagnosis is usually made once major symptoms occur. At Dr. Dutkowsky’s direction, an MRI was done prior to my release from the hospital revealing stenosis. There was a REASON for the fall after all. This great man is lobbying for a cervical MRI to become routine for this demographic!
Long ago became content with my limitations, but refuse to quietly sit by and loose the abilities that are present!