Dads prognosis

[michelle48]

Hi
I recently joint asking for advice re my dads condition  -  he has now had a discectomy with fusion but has been told that this operation was just to stop the disease from making him totally paralised and that it wouldnt improve his symptoms.  Is this right or can we be hopeful for any recovery.  As I have said previously he cannot move his left arm/hand and lost all motor function in his right hand (cannot grasp, pick things up etc) and lost control of his bowels.  Cant believe that nothing can be done.

Thanks
Michelle

[Andy]

Hi Michelle,

it may be the case that your dad won't improve and get back what was lost due to the spinal cord compromise pre-op. However the spinal cord having now been relieved by the operation may give rise to some motor return and hopefully better bowel control.  Unfortunately its really a case of waiting to see, it always amazes me how the body can find alternative ways of getting messages through damaged nerves, please keep us updated

best wishes to you all

Andy