Tomorrow I will have a consultation with my orthopedic doctor in order to plan a surgery to my cervical spine, presenting like I had been fighting in some war, as described in recent MRI Report:
“Post-Surgical and Degenerative Changes:
Multi-segmental changes, particularly at C3-C4, C4-C5, and C5-C6, with stenosis and a focus of residual post surgical myelomalacia C4-C5 indicating chronic cervical spinal cord stress.
Compression of nerve roots (C4, C5, C6, and C7) contributing to pain (e.g., cervical and upper limb discomfort).”
The surgery will consist of foraminectomy (opening the holes where the radicular nerves pass through to the upper members in order to decompress these nerves).
It’s considered a minor surgery, that in spite of this will be taking some time under ANESTHESIA.
My question is precisely about any possible negative impact of anesthesia on the brain, taking into account that I have PSP. My neurologist doesn’t oppose, but I should like to know your impressions and experiences on this before the conversation tomorrow with my orthopedist.
Thanking you all in advance
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BluesHealer
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Hi, a few years ago my wife had a general anesthetic for the removal of a lump in her breast, followed by radiotherapy (Breast cancer) At this point she did not have a PSP diagnosis, it was still looked on as Parkinson's plus. She had no complications and recovered well. More recently after a fall and broken hip and clavicle she again had general anesthetic and recovered well; her PSP symptoms did increase during this time but mainly due to the stress and shock to her body if the fall, they did return back mostly over time.
Please have a read through some of my other replies for more about PSP and how stress to the body affects it.
My wife, diagnosed with PSP, had a fall and fractured her hip. Surgery with general anaesthesia was essential. The operation and recovery went normally.
At the end of the recovery period we observed a moderate worsening of the general condition. Despite our efforts we were unable to fully recover the situation we had previously. It is as if we had dropped a moderate step in quality of life.
A serious fall with serious consequences (hospitalization, surgical intervention, strong medication, etc.) as well as a serious illness (pneumonia, severe flu, etc.) despite entailing a risk are usually overcome in the vast majority of cases but these situations once overcome are often accompanied by some increase in the PSP symptoms and a moderate decrease in the quality of life.
I am male 82, PSP diag 6/7 yrs ago. and whenever surgery looms the surgeon has backed off and avoided it due to PSP possible complicatioms. Not sure what . Thats for TURP, eyes ops. Best qwishes TimbowPSP
Morning ! Can’t remember where I read it, but it said that each time a PSP patient has an anaesthetic it accelerates the PSP. My husband was officially diagnosed with PSP in August 23 after nearly 2 years of doctor and specialist visits. He had open heart surgery in March 22 and a L shoulder ‘reduction’ when he fell and dislocated it in July 22, both of which necessitated anaesthetic. When I thought it back, after his PSP diagnosis, his symptom post-op came had definitely worsened slightly but noticeably. Of course, if an operation is necessary, as in both your case and my husband’s, then it has to be done. Good luck 😊
HiI had back surgery in March 2023 and I have to say that I had no problems with Anesthesia. The operation was successful but I did spend 10 days in hospital as my surgeon wanted to make sure that I was Mobile before I left hospital. My mobility had decrease whilst waiting for the operation
I suggest you ask your orthopedist if it would be possible to have a nerve block instead of general anaesthetic. You would be awake during your surgery but pain free and it is less likely to worsen your PSP. On the recommendation of my neurologist, I chose a nerve block for my foot surgery and I sailed through with no discernible worsening of my PSP at the time or later.
sorry to be late to the discussion, but when researching about this on behalf of my partner, many years ago now, I learned that at least some degree of risk arises from the cooling of the patient’s body temp during surgery. Some surgeons will consider limiting that part of a procedure for patients at risk of worsened symptoms of dementia or other brain disease. I had a cousin who came out of routine knee surgery with sudden, permanent full-blown loss of cognitive function. I was very careful about that risk for my partner.
My information should be considered with caution: it is from almost 10 years ago now and may not be relevant any more. Just something you might want to look into for yourself.
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