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What Causes Heaviness In Arms And Legs When Diagnosed With Anterior Cervical Discectomy?

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Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2015
Question: Hello, little history I have had an anterior cervical discectomy(2) with fusion(4,5,6). in 2010.. I have been having issue lately while I run they are arms and legs feel "heavy" and finger tips turn blue. When I stop the fingers and hands swell turn white and itchy tingly then after a bit red and itchy before going back to normal??
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Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Possible Raynaud phenomenon

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

That description of color changes of the fingers from blue to white to red corresponds to a phenomenon called Raynaud's phenomenon. Is is caused because of lack of blood supply to those areas usually due to blood vessels spasm. Often it is triggered by exposure to cold or stress. Usually the color change sequence is white-blue-red but it can vary as in your case.
It can be a primary phenomenon, meaning without a known cause, but often it is secondary, related with another issue which is more probable in your case as primary forms manifest earlier in life.
Causes of secondary forms can be many, the list is really long, most common are autoimmune disease (scleroderma, lupus, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis etc etc), infections like hepatitis, some blood tumors, exposure to toxic substances (vinyl chloride. lead, arsenic etc), metabolic conditions (diabetes, myxedema), some medical drugs.

Regarding other possible causes, peripheral artery disease can cause such symptoms but I would say it is unlikely at your age, can be easily checked through your pulses by your physician. Cervical issues you've had might've been the cause if it was only about the weakness, but they are not related to circulation changes like you describe.

So because the list is long, a physical exam by your physician for possible signs you might have missed which might direct towards one or the other condition is necessary. Also some blood tests are necessary as well like complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests, blood glucose, thyroid function, creatine kinase, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor. More tests may be needed according to physical findings suggesting a specific cause.

I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Causes Heaviness In Arms And Legs When Diagnosed With Anterior Cervical Discectomy?

Brief Answer: Possible Raynaud phenomenon Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. That description of color changes of the fingers from blue to white to red corresponds to a phenomenon called Raynaud's phenomenon. Is is caused because of lack of blood supply to those areas usually due to blood vessels spasm. Often it is triggered by exposure to cold or stress. Usually the color change sequence is white-blue-red but it can vary as in your case. It can be a primary phenomenon, meaning without a known cause, but often it is secondary, related with another issue which is more probable in your case as primary forms manifest earlier in life. Causes of secondary forms can be many, the list is really long, most common are autoimmune disease (scleroderma, lupus, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis etc etc), infections like hepatitis, some blood tumors, exposure to toxic substances (vinyl chloride. lead, arsenic etc), metabolic conditions (diabetes, myxedema), some medical drugs. Regarding other possible causes, peripheral artery disease can cause such symptoms but I would say it is unlikely at your age, can be easily checked through your pulses by your physician. Cervical issues you've had might've been the cause if it was only about the weakness, but they are not related to circulation changes like you describe. So because the list is long, a physical exam by your physician for possible signs you might have missed which might direct towards one or the other condition is necessary. Also some blood tests are necessary as well like complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests, blood glucose, thyroid function, creatine kinase, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor. More tests may be needed according to physical findings suggesting a specific cause. I remain at your disposal for further questions.