Um...I have a neck fracture....maybe....

[snapdragen]

erk, scary stuff

I don't know anything about fractures, but I once did jury duty on a case where a woman turned out to have a fracture in a vertebra that was in part due to a birth "defect". Could this be something you were partially born with?

Take care!

That's possible, since the first doctor said it looked like something that had been there for awhile.

I'm hoping it's something very simple, easily fixed, and will end this constant tingling and semi numbness I have in my arms.

[Triskeliongirl]

FYI if they can't give you a digital copy, you have a legal right to a film. I usually request the films (even if only to borrow) and then scan them into my computer myself, so you could also ask them about that if its easier. Scary stuff, but the good news is that they found it before something really bad happened, and you are getting it dealt with. Good luck and keep us updated!

[snapdragen]

Tri - do you use a regular scanner? I can see me walking into Kinko's and asking them to scan them.

[Triskeliongirl]

Yeh, I use a normal scanner, just set it for high resolution and be sure to shut the lid.

[luv'nAustin]

Hey snap,

Sorry to hear that you have the fracture, but certainly glad that they finally found it for you.

I also wanted to add that I'm very impressed with your computer skills! I can't even figure out how to add a picture to my posts and not only do you add your x-ray, but you draw diagrams! Way cool!

[snapdragen]

My brothers always treated me like the princess I am

Any damage done was self inflicted, going headfirst over the back of a rocking chair, flying down the basement stairs in my baby walker...you get the idea.

[Duck on Wheels]

Ouch, Snap! And double-ouch if this means they've taken you off worker's comp. But hey, if this is something you've had since infancy, then how can they be so sure it wasn't work that made it start giving you symptoms? Or maybe the symptoms aren't from the old fracture at all? I mean ... work is supposed to be safe for everybody, because there's barely anybody who hasn't suffered a whack here or a crack there as a kid. So if you have to be superhealthy at the outset to get workers' comp, then what good is it to most of us ordinary folks? Anyway, whatever they find, I've got some fingers crossed that they also have a cure for it and that your insurance has you covered.

[snapdragen]

Doc's office called, the radiologist says there is definately something there, but it's possible it is congenital. They want me to go in for a CT scan instead of the MRI. I know nothing of either, so it's still a big adventure for me!

In the meantime, I'm having great fun explaining all this to people at work. "Be nice to me, my neck is broken you know....."

[silver]

I *think* that the CT scan is more dimensional than the MRI. Will give them more ability to look all around it. But I'm sure the experts will weigh in.

*worried* ....I dropped SilverDaughter on her head when she was a baby....

But she's had a CT scan of the head so surely if there was a problem they would have noticed it.

[Bad JuJu]

In the meantime, I'm having great fun explaining all this to people at work. "Be nice to me, my neck is broken you know....."

I'm just picking up on this thread--ouch, poor you! (If I were a real southerner, I'd say "Well, bless your heart!" )

You've got the right idea at work though--milk that fracture for all it's worth!

[IFjane]

Oh Snap! I just saw this thread, too. Keep us posted on the CT scan (can you show us pictures of that, too?? )

[maillotpois]

Oooh! Have fun in the CT scan machine!! I think it is probably faster and certainly less claustrophobic than MRI. I've never had MRI, though.

Seriously, keep us informed.

Do they really think any of this has anything to do with your wrists/hands??

[Wahine]

Snap - they changed their minds about the MRI because a CT scan images bone and neural tissue better than an MRI. MRI is better for diagnosing soft tissue lesions including disc and cartilage problems. My guess, and please keep in mind that it is a guess, is that they are looking for a Type 1 Chiari malformation or something similar. These are congenital and are not usually found until later on in life when people are undergoing treatment for something else. If that's what it is it could definitely have a lot to do with the arm problems.

[snapdragen]

Everyone has said it is possible that what ever is going on with my neck could be affecting my wrists/arms.

I think the tingling/numbness down both arms is definitely related. I hope everything else is too, so it can get taken care of without me returning to the tenth level of hell known as workers comp.