Helpful Pages at CBS4.com
May 23, 2008 9:38 am US/Eastern
Back Pain May Be Precursor Of Something Worse
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
-
-
National Institute of Health/CBS
Four out of five people have had back pain at one point in their lives. But, some back troubles can lead to serious problems like paralysis.
Al Baruch, 80, was an animator with Disney for several decades. A couple of years ago he began to lose feeling in his hands.
"Right now my hands are frozen in this hand. I feel nothing, if you put a fire under my hand, I won't feel it," Baruch told
CBS4 Medical Reporter Dr. Sean Kenniff.
Something was blocking his ability to draw and walk.
After visiting several doctors, Baruch finally learned he had a severe case of cervical spinal stenosis.
"He came, he was malfunctioning, things weren't going right. His hands were starting to have trouble working. He was starting to have trouble at work, he was starting to have trouble walking," said Dr. Jeffrey Cantor with the South Florida Spine Clinic.
Cantor said symptoms include stiffness, pain and numbness in the shoulders, arms, hands and legs.
The problem is caused by a narrowing of the spinal cord in the neck and it can be crippling and sometimes deadly.
Cantor explained, "The space available for the cord is quite sufficient and right there you can see the cord is badly pinched."
Medication can help relieve symptoms, but in severe cases like Baruch's, decompression surgery is necessary.
Just months after his procedure, Baruch is greatful to get back to his life. "It made me more relaxed. It made me get back to my drawing," said Baruch.
"What makes this job fun is to take someone who's in a really compromised situation and get them back into their life and get them enjoying the things they like to do," said Cantor.
If Mr. Baruch had not pursued a diagnosis he might not be with us today because his stenosis was life threatening.
If you're having pain or unexplained symptoms like numbness, see a doctor.
To contact the South Florida Spine Clinic call 954-771-2551 or visit
www.floridaspinesurgery.com
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
CBS 4 Jobs
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
