Understanding Thumb Stiffness and Numbness: Possible Causes and Insights
Occasional numbness and frequent stiffness in the thumb? Hello, Director Zheng: I have a few questions for you. A friend of mine has been experiencing stiffness in the left thumb and occasional numbness for the past three months. What condition could this be? Also, could you plea...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Numbness and stiffness in the fingers may be indicative of peripheral neuropathy or central nervous system disorders. A detailed medical history, symptom assessment, neurological examination, imaging studies, and nerve function tests are necessary to establish a definitive diagno...[Read More] Understanding Thumb Stiffness and Numbness: Possible Causes and Insights
Safe Weight Limits for Women to Prevent Lumbar Disc Herniation
Lifting heavy objects Doctors recommend that women should avoid lifting heavy objects to prevent lumbar disc herniation. The general guideline is to limit lifting to no more than 10 kilograms (approximately 22 pounds). Thank you.
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
It is advisable to lift heavy objects that do not exceed one-fifth of your body weight. Importantly, the method of lifting is crucial; do not bend at the waist when lifting. Keep your back straight.[Read More] Safe Weight Limits for Women to Prevent Lumbar Disc Herniation
Understanding Cervical Disc Herniation: Symptoms Beyond Neck Pain
Cervical vertebrae Is it possible to have a cervical disc herniation without experiencing neck and shoulder pain, but occasionally feeling numbness in the arms and mild pain in the upper back area? Thank you.
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Cervical disc herniation can cause different symptoms depending on the location of nerve compression, but it is often accompanied by discomfort in the shoulders and neck, as well as numbness in the arms or hands. Sometimes, this may be due to peripheral neuropathy rather than cer...[Read More] Understanding Cervical Disc Herniation: Symptoms Beyond Neck Pain
Post-Operative Nerve Symptoms: Is It Normal After Lumbar Surgery?
Postoperative Is it normal to still feel tightness and mild numbness in different areas of my limbs (including hands) one and a half months after undergoing microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation? Thank you.
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Lumbar spine surgery should not be related to hand numbness. There is still a 10% chance of recurrence (reherniation) after lumbar microdiscectomy. It is recommended to return to the outpatient clinic to consult with the surgeon for further evaluation.[Read More] Post-Operative Nerve Symptoms: Is It Normal After Lumbar Surgery?
Post-Concussion Symptoms: Concerns About Loss of Smell
Post-concussion syndrome Hello Doctor: I hit my head at the end of May and experienced a concussion, along with a loss of smell. It has been over two months now, and I still can hardly smell anything. I am very worried that I might not regain my sense of smell. Should I seek medi...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
The first cranial nerve, the olfactory nerve, is located within the cribriform plate. The supporting cells are sustentacular cells, which are sensitive to pressure and traction forces. This nerve is typically the most susceptible to injury in cases of head trauma. Your condition ...[Read More] Post-Concussion Symptoms: Concerns About Loss of Smell
Understanding Discomfort in the Right Leg After Spine Surgery
Discomfort in the right lower limb? Dear Dr. Cheng, I had spinal fusion and stabilization surgery on my fourth and fifth vertebrae one year and three months ago. My recovery has been quite good since the surgery, but over the past four to five months, I have started experiencing...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Please schedule an outpatient appointment for further examination.[Read More] Understanding Discomfort in the Right Leg After Spine Surgery
Understanding Headaches After Meningioma Surgery: Insights and Solutions
Headache Hello, Director: I underwent surgery two years ago for multiple meningiomas. Due to the size and depth of the sellar meningioma, it was removed in two stages: first, the majority was excised, and then I underwent stereotactic radiosurgery. In April, an MRI showed a reduc...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Common types of headaches include tension-type headaches and migraines. You have multiple meningiomas, but they are all small, which should not cause headaches due to increased intracranial pressure. However, tumors in the sella turcica (which should be referred to as the sphenoi...[Read More] Understanding Headaches After Meningioma Surgery: Insights and Solutions
Managing Sweaty Palms: Surgical Options and Considerations
Palmar hyperhidrosis? I always have sweaty and clammy palms, which makes situations where I need to shake hands very awkward for me. I'm considering surgery for a permanent solution, but I'm worried about compensatory sweating or the possibility of recurrence. Is it pos...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
It is possible to perform the procedure only on the right side, but it cannot be done solely on the palm. Compensatory sweating occurs in about 50% of cases, typically manifesting as sweating from the anterior chest, back, and thighs.[Read More] Managing Sweaty Palms: Surgical Options and Considerations
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: Treatment and Daily Care Tips
Ankylosing spondylitis Hello Director Zheng: I would like to ask what ankylosing spondylitis is and how it can be treated. Can surgical intervention cure this condition? Are there any precautions that patients should take in their daily lives to avoid further damage to the spine?...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
This is not my area of expertise; please consult a rheumatologist.[Read More] Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: Treatment and Daily Care Tips
Severe Brainstem Injury from Car Accident: Risks and Recovery Options
Severe brainstem injury caused by a car accident? Question 1: What are the potential sequelae of brainstem injury? Question 2: What current treatments are available to promote recovery of the brainstem? Question 3: If she regains consciousness, what potential sequelae might s...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
The brainstem is the center of life; if the brainstem is damaged and the coma scale is only 3 points, it indicates that the patient is close to brain death (brainstem failure), and the patient will ultimately die. The determination of brain death follows a rigorous protocol and m...[Read More] Severe Brainstem Injury from Car Accident: Risks and Recovery Options
Understanding Cervical Bone Spurs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Care
Cervical osteophytes (bone spurs in the cervical spine) Hello, Dr. Cheng. Last year, I experienced neck stiffness for two consecutive months. After September, I noticed that I couldn't freely turn my head to either side. I thought it was okay and didn't pay much attenti...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Bone spurs do not necessarily require surgery. Surgery may be needed if the bone spurs compress nerves or the spinal cord. To confirm the diagnosis, further imaging studies such as CT or MRI are necessary. My clinic hours are Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings, Dr. Cheng.[Read More] Understanding Cervical Bone Spurs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Care
Understanding Severe Hand Sweating: Surgical Options and Risks
Severe palmar hyperhidrosis? Hello, I would like to ask about my hands and feet sweating excessively every day. It seems quite severe, and I'm considering surgery. I've heard that there could be side effects. Could you please give me some advice? I’ve looked online, and...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Currently, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is performed for hyperhidrosis with good results; however, about half of the patients may experience compensatory hyperhidrosis, where sweating occurs in the back, thighs, and torso. Some individuals also report that their hands become...[Read More] Understanding Severe Hand Sweating: Surgical Options and Risks
Understanding Left-Sided Pain: When to See a Neurosurgeon
Left-sided pain issues? Hello Dr. Cheng, I would like to consult you regarding the issue of "left-sided pain." My mother is 56 years old and has been experiencing body pain for the past year. The areas where she feels pain include her neck, back, lower back, calves, an...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Your mother is experiencing pain that ranges from her neck and back down to her lower limbs, and it is localized to the left side of her body. If the pain is caused by neuropathy, the issue may be in the brain or neck; however, brain lesions are often accompanied by headaches, di...[Read More] Understanding Left-Sided Pain: When to See a Neurosurgeon
Can Surgery Help Alleviate Pain from Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Hello Doctor: My father has developed peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes. After a visit to the neurology department at Veterans General Hospital in June last year, he was diagnosed with moderate to severe neuropathy. The doctor prescribed gabapen...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy cannot be improved through surgical intervention.[Read More] Can Surgery Help Alleviate Pain from Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Understanding Pain in the Thigh: Is It Really Sciatica?
Similar to sciatica but seems to be something else? Deep aching pain in the back of the thigh (up to the back of the knee, not reaching the calf), with a specific point near the lumbar spine that causes leg pain when pressed (the lower back does not hurt normally, only when press...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
The pain you described is indicative of sciatica; however, the underlying causes of sciatica could be related to the lumbar nerve roots, the pelvic plexus, or issues with the peripheral nerves of the lower extremities. It is advisable for you to consult a neurosurgeon for further...[Read More] Understanding Pain in the Thigh: Is It Really Sciatica?
Differences Between Dynamic and Stabilization Techniques in Spine Surgery
The difference between dynamic and stabilization refers to two distinct concepts in various fields, including medicine and physical therapy. Dynamic typically refers to processes or movements that are characterized by change, activity, or progress. In a Hello Director Zheng: I ...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Dynamic Stabilization is a type of dynamic stabilization system that can maintain spinal mobility while supporting the height of the intervertebral discs, thereby reducing the recurrence rate of disc herniation and the degeneration of adjacent joints. Currently, two methods appro...[Read More] Differences Between Dynamic and Stabilization Techniques in Spine Surgery
Do You Need Fixation After Microscopic Surgery for Lumbar Disc Herniation?
excuse me? Is fixation necessary after removing some of the spinous process in microsurgery? The herniated material at L4, L5, and S1 needs to be cleared.
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Microsurgery theoretically does not compromise the stability of the spine, and fixation surgery should not be necessary. However, it is currently believed that to prevent recurrent herniation after microsurgery, combining it with a "dynamic stabilization system" such as...[Read More] Do You Need Fixation After Microscopic Surgery for Lumbar Disc Herniation?
Understanding Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Guide to Symptoms and Specialist Referrals
Neck and shoulder pain? Hello Doctor: Recently, I have been experiencing many symptoms and have consulted various doctors in different hospitals without finding a diagnosis. Could you please help explain the following symptoms? 1. I have sharp pain in the left rear part of my h...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
It is recommended to first consult a neurosurgeon to rule out any brain or cervical spine lesions. My clinic hours are: Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings. Best wishes, Dr. Zheng.[Read More] Understanding Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Guide to Symptoms and Specialist Referrals
Understanding Minor Brain Bleeds: When to Seek Further Medical Help
Can a small amount of cerebral hemorrhage cause this? My father fell off his motorcycle on the morning of the 15th. He felt dizzy and couldn't get up, but he had no external injuries. He managed to ride home afterward. That same day, he started to speak unclearly, had diffic...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Hello: Please bring a copy of your father's brain CT scan to the outpatient clinic for a detailed examination. Outpatient hours: Monday afternoon, Wednesday morning. Best regards, Dr. Zheng.[Read More] Understanding Minor Brain Bleeds: When to Seek Further Medical Help
Can Stretching and Yoga Help Relieve Sciatica Pain?
Sciatic nerve Is it advisable to perform stretching or yoga exercises to strengthen the abdominal and back muscles during sciatica? If it causes pain while doing these exercises, should one continue? Are these exercises for treatment or prevention? Additionally, can the nerve its...
Dr. Zheng Zhong reply Neurosurgery
Hello: During sciatica, it is possible to perform stretching or yoga exercises to strengthen the abdominal and back muscles. If it hurts while doing them, you should stop. Are these exercises for strengthening the abdominal and back muscles aimed at treatment or prevention? The n...[Read More] Can Stretching and Yoga Help Relieve Sciatica Pain?