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Coaxing the last bit of muscle back from the living dead
A young male (well...my age of 46) body model and actor came to me for electrodiagnostic testing that revealed a fairly textbook left sided C8 radiculopathy. Imaging revealed single level severe neuroforaminal combined spondylotic and discogenic stenosis. cervical injection improved pain but he was not recovering sufficiently and opted to single level neuroforamenotomy.
All of his symptoms resolved and his strength has improved to a self-reported 80%.He is still fasciculating in those C8 muscle groups.
Prior history of healed triceps rupture but with residual loss of muscle bulk many years ago. This has compromised his ability to sculpt his left pectoral muscles to the same degree as the right.
He is looking to get as close to 100%. I already explained to him that collateral sprouting has a timeline and that he should keep working out (without overdoing it) to optimize recovery.
Is there anything else you would recommend? I was considering functional neuromuscular electrical stimulation but i'm not optimistic that it will help.
-gautam
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