Managing Post-Car Accident Head Pain: Effective Relief Strategies
Post-traumatic sequelae from a car accident? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about an incident on January 16 where I sustained a head injury in a car accident. At the time, I did not feel nauseous, and the emergency department assessed that there was no concussion. However, si...
Dr. Zhang Junwei Reply:
It is recommended to schedule a consultation with a neurosurgeon.[Read More] Managing Post-Car Accident Head Pain: Effective Relief Strategies
Post-Surgery Recovery Insights for Lumbar Disc Herniation Treatment
Postoperative care after disc herniation surgery? 1. Disease Name: Lumbar Disc Herniation at the L4-L5 Level 2. Surgery Name: Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy 3. Reason for Surgery: To relieve nerve compression On December 27, the surgery was performed due to a right low...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: After your surgery, your original symptoms have improved, and the wound has healed, which indicates a good recovery. Please continue to use lumbar support for protection. If you are still concerned, feel free to schedule an earlier follow-up appointment. Best wishes, Dr. C...[Read More] Post-Surgery Recovery Insights for Lumbar Disc Herniation Treatment
Managing Severe Nerve Pain After Complex Pelvic and Foot Injuries
Explosive neuropathic pain? Hello, Doctor. Last August, I had an accidental fall from a height resulting in a complex pelvic fracture and crush fractures in both feet. The sensation in my left foot is abnormal; it feels like there are two wires underneath my shoe, and the nerve p...
Dr. Zhang Junwei Reply:
Due to the lack of detailed medical history and examination records, I am unable to provide an answer. It is recommended to consult a physician in an outpatient setting with the medical records in hand.[Read More] Managing Severe Nerve Pain After Complex Pelvic and Foot Injuries
Post-Surgery Pain Management: Understanding Discomfort After Disc Surgery
Hello Dr. Lai: Issues after intervertebral disc herniation surgery? Dear Director Lai, I apologize for taking up your time with this lengthy message, but I would like to know what the next steps should be. 1. After waking up from surgery, I experienced pain in my left lower bac...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: 1. After lying flat for an extended period, the compressed nerves can become more vulnerable. Under certain conditions, poor blood circulation in the surrounding area may trigger pain and numbness, which is not uncommon. You can apply warmth through heat packs, adjust yo...[Read More] Post-Surgery Pain Management: Understanding Discomfort After Disc Surgery
Understanding Disc Herniation: When to Seek MRI for Back Pain Relief
Herniated disc Hello doctor, I have been experiencing persistent lower back pain, which is so severe that it even hurts to walk. My shoulders and neck are also very tense, and when I feel discomfort in my neck, it can lead to headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Additionally, I have...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: You may have nerve compression in your cervical spine and also have lesions in your lumbar spine. If you have already tried conservative treatment along with injection therapy without improvement, it is recommended to consider scheduling an MRI for further evaluation. Best...[Read More] Understanding Disc Herniation: When to Seek MRI for Back Pain Relief
Post-Surgery Pain After Lumbar Disc Herniation: What to Expect?
Postoperative care for herniated disc surgery? Hello Doctor, I underwent traditional surgery for an L4-L5 herniated disc at the beginning of November, without the use of a spacer. Postoperatively, my calf pain improved, but in early January, I suddenly experienced persistent shoo...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: After your decompression surgery in November, there was improvement, but in January, you experienced a recurrence of symptoms. I would like to speculate that it may be a relapse; of course, adhesions or other reasons are also possible. I recommend that you return for a fol...[Read More] Post-Surgery Pain After Lumbar Disc Herniation: What to Expect?
Understanding Irregularities in the Occipital Region: A Neurosurgical Perspective
Regarding the issue of irregularities in the occipital region? Hello, doctor. About a month ago, I noticed some irregularities in the center of the back of my head (specifically at the intersection of a line extending horizontally from the upper part of my ear and a line extendin...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: 1. As your previous orthopedic doctor mentioned, it should be a normal skull. 2. A CT scan has also been performed, and if the doctor determines it to be normal, you can feel more at ease. 3. If you are still concerned, consider consulting a neurosurgeon for another evalua...[Read More] Understanding Irregularities in the Occipital Region: A Neurosurgical Perspective
Post-Surgery Exercise Guidelines for Cervical Spine Fusion
Postoperative exercises for cervical spine surgery? Hello, doctor. I had a car accident at the beginning of September and underwent a spinal fusion surgery for the displacement of my sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae. I would like to ask how long after the surgery it would be ...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: It has been 3 to 4 months since your surgery in September. Theoretically, fusion should have occurred by now. If you were my patient, I would encourage you to return to normal activities and engage in exercise. However, since you are not my patient, I recommend consulting ...[Read More] Post-Surgery Exercise Guidelines for Cervical Spine Fusion
Post-Spinal Surgery: Addressing Leg Stiffness, Weakness, and Tightness
Post-spinal surgery, experiencing stiffness and weakness in the legs, along with muscle tightness? Hello Dr. Lai! I have rheumatoid arthritis and underwent L4-L5 spinal surgery (with Romeo clamps and health insurance screws) in June 2022 due to pain from slippage. I had another s...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: What you mentioned is all possible, and the treatment options can be considered. However, the key recommendation is to have your doctor arrange for a follow-up MRI for a detailed evaluation, and then plan the subsequent treatment strategy. Best wishes, Dr. Lai Chao-Kang, D...[Read More] Post-Spinal Surgery: Addressing Leg Stiffness, Weakness, and Tightness
Understanding Nerve Compression and Surgery Risks in Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical osteophytes compressing nerve edema? Consulting a physician: My mother is experiencing sharp pain in the right side of her back and stiffness in her neck and shoulders. Aside from these symptoms, there are no other issues. However, to clarify the cause of these problems,...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: You are correct, and the doctor is also correct; this is actually a matter of risk assessment and probability (high probability events vs. low probability events). 1. MRI confirms that the nerve is being compressed, causing your mother's symptoms, which is the reali...[Read More] Understanding Nerve Compression and Surgery Risks in Cervical Spondylosis
Understanding Recovery from Right Brain Hemorrhage: Signs and Treatment Options
Right hemisphere hemorrhage I would like to know about a patient with a brain hemorrhage who was initially unresponsive upon arrival at the intensive care unit. The next day, they showed some movement on the right side and could slightly open their eyes, but their speech was uncl...
Dr. Zhang Junwei Reply:
Unable to provide explanations and predictions based on specific medical conditions.[Read More] Understanding Recovery from Right Brain Hemorrhage: Signs and Treatment Options
Understanding Aneurysm Rupture: Coma, Pain Perception, and Prognosis
Aneurysm rupture, currently in a coma? Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask about a 71-year-old patient who has no poor dietary habits and maintains a normal daily routine, but is small in stature and has a weak immune system. Health checks show no signs of hypertension, diabetes, ...
Dr. Zhang Junwei Reply:
1. Theoretically, a person in a coma does not feel pain. 2. Not necessarily.[Read More] Understanding Aneurysm Rupture: Coma, Pain Perception, and Prognosis
Understanding Post-Surgery Confusion After Brain Hemorrhage Drainage
Altered consciousness after drainage of a cerebral hemorrhage? Hello, doctor! My father was sent to the hospital three weeks after a fall due to headaches. After examination, he was found to have a subdural hematoma. The physician recommended drainage for quicker recovery (and he...
Dr. Zhang Junwei Reply:
Without detailed computed tomography and examinations, it is not possible to provide an interpretation or prognosis based on specific medical conditions.[Read More] Understanding Post-Surgery Confusion After Brain Hemorrhage Drainage
Understanding Post-Concussion Symptoms: Headaches and Focus Issues
Head-related consultation? Hello, doctor. Four years ago (during middle school), I slipped and fell while running in a hurry, hitting the back of my head. Since then, I've experienced some mild migraines and difficulty concentrating. Is this considered a normal aftereffect? ...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: 1. If you started experiencing symptoms such as migraines and difficulty concentrating immediately after the impact, it may be a post-concussion syndrome. However, it is uncommon for these symptoms to persist for more than three months. 2. If you developed the aforemention...[Read More] Understanding Post-Concussion Symptoms: Headaches and Focus Issues
Understanding the Risks and Challenges of Brain Cyst Surgery Near the Brainstem
Surgical issues related to a brain cyst near the brainstem? Hello, doctor. Recently, after undergoing an MRI, I learned that there is a large cyst (fluid-filled sac) in my brain near the brainstem that requires surgical drainage. I would like to know the difficulty level and risk...
Dr. Zhang Junwei Reply:
Without specific imaging studies, medical history, and physical examination, it is not possible to provide an answer.[Read More] Understanding the Risks and Challenges of Brain Cyst Surgery Near the Brainstem
Managing Neck Pain and Chest Discomfort: Insights from Neurosurgery
Chest pain, back issues? Last week, I visited a neurosurgeon and underwent an MRI. The report is as follows: **Summary Imaging Findings** Multiplanar multisequence MRI of the cervical spine without contrast enhancement shows: - **Alignment**: Grade I retrolisthesis at C4-5 ...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: Please describe your symptoms to the rehabilitation physician and provide the aforementioned cervical spine MRI report or images to the doctor. Ask for their opinion and request to arrange a rehabilitation program, which will generally focus on cervical traction. Best wish...[Read More] Managing Neck Pain and Chest Discomfort: Insights from Neurosurgery
Chronic Brain Hemorrhage: Understanding Delayed Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Chronic cerebral hemorrhage with hematoma compressing the brain? Hello Dr. Zhang, my father (born in 1943) had a severe head injury from a fall down the stairs at the end of August, resulting in significant bleeding that required emergency care. A CT scan at that time showed only...
Dr. Zhang Junwei Reply:
Without detailed CT scans and neurological examinations, it is not possible to determine an accurate treatment plan. It is recommended to bring the discharge summary and CT scans to an outpatient appointment for discussion with the physician.[Read More] Chronic Brain Hemorrhage: Understanding Delayed Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Managing Post-Car Accident Symptoms: Effective Treatments for Pain Relief
Post-traumatic sequelae from a car accident? I was involved in a car accident in mid-July last year when I was stopped at a red light and was rear-ended. At that moment, my knees hit the trunk of the car, resulting in a blunt injury to my lower back. The next day, my knees were b...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: 1. Lower back pain and leg numbness are suspected to be related to lumbar spine conditions. 2. There is a herniation at the fifth lumbar intervertebral disc, and water-cooled radiofrequency treatment could be considered. However, it is recommended to seek medical attention...[Read More] Managing Post-Car Accident Symptoms: Effective Treatments for Pain Relief
Understanding Follow-Up Care for a 1mm Intracranial Aneurysm
What is a 1mm intracranial aneurysm? Hello Dr. Zhao, at the beginning of this year, I visited the neurology department at Hospital A due to persistent dizziness and decreased hearing in my left ear. The doctor ordered a non-contrast MRI, which revealed a left-sided vestibular sch...
Dr. Zhao Shaoqing Reply:
Hello: Generally, follow-up can include a neurosurgical evaluation fee. Invasive examinations such as computed tomography angiography (CTA) and MRI may be covered by health insurance if they meet the symptoms and criteria provided by the insurance. An at-pouching lesion typically...[Read More] Understanding Follow-Up Care for a 1mm Intracranial Aneurysm
Understanding Complications of L3 Spinal Surgery: A Patient's Journey
Misplacement of L3 pedicle screw in lumbar spine surgery? Hello, doctor. My father is 72 years old. Preoperative X-rays showed signs of scoliosis and spondylolisthesis, with complaints of inability to walk for long periods due to lower back pain and numbness in his legs when sitt...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello: 1. Postoperative follow-up shows that the original symptoms have not improved and have worsened after surgery. If imaging reveals that a steel screw has penetrated the nerve canal, there are no other options but to adjust and perform another surgery (unless the patient is ...[Read More] Understanding Complications of L3 Spinal Surgery: A Patient's Journey