Spinal AVM

Hello Everyone,

I am 47 yrs old and did my Embolization of spinal AVM on 04th May’21 and did a rehab of 2 months for my legs which were almost gone. Though, I took decision of embolization with a span of 1 month after encountering symptoms of no strength in legs, but still I haven’t achieved my legs back completely.

From mid of Oct’21 I started facing issues of spasticity in my knees. I just want suggestions from any of the member who has gone through my stage. The weakness in my legs and spasticity has made me totally a negative person who has lost of hopes of living life.

Pls suggest friends whatever you can.

Rgds

Rahul

Hello Rahul,
I was diagnosed with DAVF at T10 in September 2015 and they tried to perform an embolization in Oct 2015, but they can’t reach the location. 4 days later I had a laminectomy to fix the mall functioning artery. Previously I can’t feel both of my legs and had bladder and bowel issues. Is a very slow rehab progress with help from OT and Physio. My legs nerves slowly improves and now I have full feeling of my legs and no longer have blader and bowel issues. Just from the knee down I have strong spasm on both legs. In February 2020 I had an ITB pump implant to control my spasticity.

I improves my walking a lot, but I still have balancing issues. I can walk in the house without walking stick, but outside I use a walking stick or walker to avoid falls.
I am 68 and retired.
Kind regards, Franz

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Hi Rahul,

I had a brain surgery (craniotomy and endovascular procedure, after failed embolization) for an aggressive intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (Cognard type V, Borden type III) on my spinal cord, from the cervicomedullary junction to C7. It was an emergency procedure, therefore everything went fast and I didn’t have much time or choice.

Because of Covid19 and/or red tape issues between provinces (I live in Quebec, Canada, but had surgery in Ontario), I ended up with no rehabilitation services after leaving the hospital. Even though I applied to a provincial rehabilitation program and was accepted, I was on a waiting list, which means that I didn’t receive any help until my Life insurance provider accepted to help me. My first official rehab plan started 8 months after my surgery, in late August 2021!!! And no neuro specialist was in charge of my case until May 2021.

Like you, I have leg weakness. I don’t know if I have spasticity, but I do have strong spasms in the morning or during the day if I’m tired or do too much. I also had to learn how to walk again, but on my own. So I turned to Youtube and watched videos of rehabilitation centers, yoga and Pilates exercises to help with flexibility and mobility, because I knew that it was critical for me to move if I wanted to facilitate the creation of new nerve pathways, since my spinal cord had been injured. It is said that the first 6 months are very critical in the recovery phase, and most improvements are made during the 2 years post surgery, even if improvements can still happen afterwards.

When I got home after the hospital, I used a walker at home for 2 weeks, then a cane. After a month, I could walk inside the house without anything. However, walking outside is different and always required walking sticks (for long walks in nature) or a cane in public places. Now, I can sometimes walk without my cane in public places when I don’t have to walk or stand for a long time. My progress was plateauing in May and I had started to become discouraged…Therefore, I researched new ways to help me, and I did this:

  • I bought a whole body vibration plateforme (I did a lot of research and I made sure to use it at the lowest intensity and for just a few minutes until my body got stronger)
  • I started to go to my local swimming pool in July to help with muscle strength in my legs: I have to use fins and a board, otherwise I can’t move much in the water. It was difficult the first 2 weeks, then it became easier. I don’t feel pain when I swim, unless I’m already tired. The absence of gravity helps a lot.
  • I started to see an acupuncturist for my bowel and bladder issues.

And in late August, my Life insurance provider gave me access to a kinesiologist, a rehabilitation physiotherapist and an occupational therapist who have been helping me a lot.

It is very important to stay positive despite the pain and the difficulty due to our condition, because our mental state, as much as our physical state, impacts our progress. So, don’t be discouraged, keep going. You will get there at YOUR own pace.

Karine

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Dear Karine,

Thank you v.much for the support.
It is indeed needed.

Warm Regards

Rahul

Thank you Franz for the reply.

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Hi Rahul

Like you, I had a nasty one. Could not be embolized. Surgeon went in for advanced spinal surgery with IONM and obliterated the spinal dural AVM (thoracic)

Don’t loose heart. I was struggling to regain balance and walk. Work on your rehab uncompromisingly. I sort of regained my balance after five years — still have great trouble walking up and down stairs, cannot jump or run, lots of spasticity issues, nerve pain etc.

But I keep at it…

Wish you Complete healing and Good Luck.

Best

Karthik

Hi, I had my embolization of my DAVF in S2-S3 area in March 2017. You have to keep up with PT or some kind of strengthening exercise. I also do Pilates & that really helps my spasticity. I still have some balance issues. Keep trying & it will get some better. Try to stay positive! Good luck!

Thanks brother…for the reply…

Hi Rahul, I had embolisation in March 6,2017 for my spinal DAVF. I also had to do PT, it helped with my balance & the strength in my legs. I have spasticity in one of my legs & I go to Pilates 2x a week & it has helped me a lot. Sharyn

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Has the spacity on your leg stopped?

No, I still have it in my one leg.

No

Neurophysician prescribed backlofen and valium …kinda helped.

Covid made it worse.

Now neuro has asked me to get back on rehab…

Will update

Take Care

Karthik