Re: Syrinx / synovial cyst question

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

What I had was called a synovial cyst. It was at my L4/L5 level and was behind

the facet joints and pressing into my spinal column. It didn't rupture on it's

own, I went to an interventional radiologist who injected it with saline until

it ruptured. When the doctor first found this cyst (they found it through a ct

myelogram) he told me to go to a pain doctor to see if they could drain it. I

did some research and found out that draining it or just injecting steroids

around it was only a temporary fix. The best way to deal with it was to

surgically remove it, but that meant removing part of the facet joint which

might lead to destabilizing my lower spine. So I wasn't keen on that. As I kept

researching on line, I found that Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, not

too far from where I live in the suburbs, were dealing with these cysts by

rupturing them and injecting steroids into the area. It's been about a year and

I don't think the cyst has returned, although it could be too small to notice at

this time.

Synovial cysts are caused by abnormal motion in the facet joints and are usually

accompanied by significant arthritis and degeneration of the spine. Oddly, my

lower lumbar area isn't in too bad of shape. Mild arthritis and mild bulging

discs. The doctors said it was unusual for me to have this cyst.

I don't know what a syrinx is, but I don't think it's the same thing as a

synovial cyst. What have you been told about it? Have you had any luck

researching it?

Jeanne

Hello, I'm New Here

Hi, My name is Lynda.

I am 50 years old and have severe scoliosis (110 degree/85 degree). I was born

with it and it was left untreated with a " wait and see " attitude. I was told at

a scoliosis clinin when I was 20 that I wouldn't curve anymore because I was

finished growing. At the time my curves were " only " 85 degree/63 degree. Imagine

my horror at age 39 when I began to have chronic pain and I found out how much

it had progressed. In 2001 I had surgery. No correction was possible. It was to

keep it from getting any worse. I have 4 rods. Surgery did not relieve my pain.

I've been on SS since 1998.

I have begun to have a painful arm that is numb and tingly at times. It's very

painful. My dr thinks it's a nerve in my neck. Sometimes my other arm hurts too,

but not as bad and no numbness or tingling. I also have begun to have pain in my

legs and they are becoming unreliable at times. I just can't wrap my brain

around it that a nerve in my neck can cause this. This would be just above my

fusion. I believe it would require yet another metal plate.

Has anyone on here had this happen to them? He wants me to see a neurologist/

surgeon. I don't want another surgery. I'm feeling a little nervous wondering

how far this could progress. Should I wait and see about this or is it something

I should take care of right away?

I would really appreciate any feedback I could get here.

~Lynda~