About Jerry Ryan, Ph.D. Expertise I am a C5-7 quadriplegic resulting from a rollover auto accident in 4/94. Prior to that injury, I had a L4-5 fracture that caused low back and leg pain. Although I have served as a member of trauma/transplant surgical teams from Walter Reed Army Medical Center to Oregon Health Sciences University, I am not a physician and cannot diagnose conditions nor prescribe treatments or medications. However, I can make recommendations and refer you to appropriate information sources for the proper courses of action.
Experience Having served as the President and Hospital Liaison for the Oregon Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, I have extensive knowledge of spinal cord injuries, spinal surgery of various types, complications such as autonomic dysreflexia and pressure sores, mental health issues related to spinal cord injury, and the common medications used by paraplegic and quadriplegic individuals.
In addition, I was a member of surgical trauma/transplant teams in several medical centers across the nation including Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Oregon Health Sciences University. I performed in that capacity for over 20 years.
Publications Paraplegia News - PN magazine
Accord - The Journal of Quadriplegia of Australia
Education/Credentials Baylor University/US Armed Forces Institute of Health Sciences - Surgical Technologist credit hours, 1976
Associate Degree in Applied Science - Computer Assisted Drafting and Design, 1990
Bachelor Degree in Natural Health, 2000
Master Degree in Natural Health, 2001
Doctorate in Natural Health, 2005
Question PLEASE tell me what I should be doing to properly treat the medical problem I have. I have been to acupuncture 5 times in the past 2 weeks. I've been to the chiropractor and my MD now wants me to go see a neurosurgeon. I am only 47 years old, extremely active and WORRIED, not to mention in pain and with tingling nerves in my right arm and a lethargic neck. I've noticed a change in my body this year with a protruding rib, uneven hips and one leg seems to be a bit shorter than the other.
The Radiology report from a recent MRI states:
c3-4 has mild uncovertebral degenerative changes with mild neural foraminal bilaterally without central canal stenosis.
c4-5 has moderate disc bulge with bilateral unconvertebral hypertrophy. There is moderate central canal stenosis and mass effect on the cord. moderate to severe neural foraminal narrowing.
c5-6 - same as c4-5
c6-7 - small disc bulge with mild uncovertebral hypertrophy. no canal stenosis. moderate left neural foraminal narrowing.
Pelvis xray results:
moderate levoscoliosis with multilevel facet arthrosis pronounced at L4-L5 and L5-S1.
Answer I would recommend visiting the neurosurgeon and getting his/her opinion on your neck because the discs and the narrowing are causing the pain and tingling. Because there is no such thing as 'minor surgery', I would suggest a second opinion by an osteopath before considering any surgery on the spine.
I would also recommend continued follow-up by the chiropractor for the rib and hip alignment issues.
Thank you for your question, Diane. I hope that my answer was helpful.
