Removal of a Calcified Cervical Disc and Full Recovery from Quadriplegia

This 60-year-old woman had suffered from neck pain for a long time. She hadn't bothered herself with the pain but relied on painkillers to get through her daily activities. Over time, she began to feel neck stiffness alongside the pain. She tried resting and using cold and hot compresses, but to no avail. The pain worsened, as she felt sharp pain radiating to her shoulders and arms, with tingling and numbness. She was also unable to move her neck or tilt her head. In addition, the patient had recently experienced difficulty using her hands and arms for fine motor skills and a loss of balance. Eventually, the patient developed quadriplegia, the inability to control or move muscles intentionally, affecting the body from the neck down. This woman suffered greatly from quadriplegia, losing her mobility and feeling like a burden to her family.

The family was deeply distressed and consulted several doctors, but there was no improvement. After extensive research, a family friend recommended Dr. Zeiad Yossry, a professor of neurosurgery, as he shared a success story of a friend who had undergone spinal surgery with him and had achieved amazing results. The woman decided to book a consultation with him after feeling almost hopeless.

Dr. Zeiad Yossry performed a physical examination of the patient, which included assessing the range of motion in the neck, checking for swelling, and identifying pain points. He also checked for signs of neurological deficits in the arms, such as reflex problems or muscle weakness. Following the physical and neurological examination, Dr. Zeiad Yossry ordered several tests and imaging scans. Finally, he informed her that she was suffering from multiple cervical disc herniations and calcifications.

He explained that the vertebrae that make up the spine are cushioned by discs that absorb shock and maintain the spine's flexibility. With age, the discs can lose their flexibility, and the ligaments around them may become fragile. When damaged, the discs can bulge and shift out of place, putting pressure on the spinal cord, which happened in this case, leading to quadriplegia. Additionally, the patient was suffering from a calcified cervical disc herniation, the deposition of calcium crystals resulting from age-related degenerative changes in the discs. Calcification causes severe symptoms, such as pain, stiffness, and muscle spasm adjacent to the vertebrae, as well as restricted movement of the affected spine part. Dr. Zeiad Yossry recommended urgent surgery to prevent permanent spinal cord damage.

Dr. Zeiad Yossry performed a herniated disc surgery to relieve pressure on the cervical nerves, caused by calcification and multiple herniated discs. After curing the herniated discs and removing the calcium deposits, Dr. Zeiad Yossry fused the affected vertebrae with a metal plate and screws to ensure complete healing.

The recovery period went smoothly under Dr.Zeiad Yossry’s guidance. The patient was cured of her quadriplegia and resumed her normal life. Thanks to Dr. Zeiad Yossry's skill and precision, the patient presented for her regular follow-up six years later, feeling fine and without any complications or pain.