Neck Pain: Cervical
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Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:30
Needs Advice for C4-C6
Hello I'm new to this site and I am seeking advice from anyone who is/has been in my shoes. It's been a long rough 13 months and I am unsure of what to do. My story is...I was in a head on car accident 13 months ago. No pain at first but the next day I could feel it in my neck and shoulder area. I went to a local doctor and was told neck strain. He gave me medication and ordered Physical Therapy but did not take me off work (I am a merchandiser that does some light lifting). After 8 weeks of message, heat, ice, exercises, ultra sound, and electric stimulator, I was a little better having more like average pain daily but still major pain when P.T. had me lift weights. I use to run, play tennis, bowl and lift weights prior to this and unable to do that now without major pain. Both doctor and P.T. said it should take 6 months to get back to normal. I went back several time to the doctor over the 13 months telling him about my pain. I was having electrical shocks down my neck, back, shoulders and legs, tingling in hands/fingers, balance problems and muscle weakness in shoulders/arms, which is not present all the time but mainly after lifting something. I asked for a referral, since I knew something was wrong. My new doctor knew what the problem was and order a x-rays/mri. I had herniated my 4-6 cervical discs. They are now cutting off some of my spinal fluid. He recommended surgery or pain med's for life! I have good days and bad days. I find normal everyday life, like yard work, can be challenging...I don't know what to do, live with the pain and not being able to lift anything over a few pound or surgery? It's been 13 months...could anything else work this late?? Please any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Damn...I know how you feel, search the site and research ACDF vs ADR and figure out what is best for you...
C2-3: Mild right facet joint degenerative changes and right neuroforaminal stenosis.
C3-4: Minimal diffuse discosteophyte bulge and mild central cananl stenosis.
C4-5: Mild disc height loss with central annular fissure. Small broad-based left paracentral disc protrusion. Moderate central canal stenosis-the disc protrusion abuts and mildly flattens the left ventral surface of the spinal canal.
C5-6: Disc desiccation with mild height loss.
Diffuse discosteophyte bulge and uncovertebral joint hypertrophy, moderate central canal stenosis-the discosteophyte bulge mildly flattens the ventral surface of the spinal cord. Severe neuroforaminal stenosis bilaterally, right greater than left.
Welcome to Spine-Health. There's a lot of info on this site and the members of the forum are friendly, knowledgeable and supportive.
What kind of doctor recommended surgery or pain meds for life? If I were in your shoes, I'd take my x-rays and MRI to a fellowship-trained spine surgeon, someone who only works on spines, and get their opinion. You might end up getting even more opinions, but I think most everyone here would tell you that a spine specialist is the best one to see concerning your spine.
Take care and keep us posted.
Cath
October 21, 2008 - ACDF, 3-level (C4/5, 5/6 6/7), with hardware and eight screws. C4/5 and 5/6 fused, still movement at C6/7.
February 2009 - Lower back pain and sciatic pain.
January 6, 2010 - Scheduled for TLIF at L4/5.
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Each forward step we take we leave some phantom of ourselves behind. ~John Lancaster Spalding
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I am in no way affiliated with the medical profession. Any recommendations I make are based on my personal experiences only, so do not take my comments as medical rules.
Thanks so much for your advice. Here is some more info for you. I am a healthy 39 year old who was very active prior to this injury. My current doctor is an orthopedic surgeon, he specializes in spinal fusions. There is so much information up here it's really hard to figure out what is best. Will I get worse with age? Will I make it worse by continuing to "push through the pain"? What will my future be like whether I choose surgery or not? I really feel for anyone who has gone or is going through this! Best Wishes to everyone-my heart goes out to you!
Traci,
Surgery is definetly a personal and difficult decision that only you can make for yourself. I completely understand what you are going through. I had C4-C6 fused Aril 2, 2008. I had all of the same symptoms you discribed above and my quality of life was horrible. For me personally, I didn't think twice about the surgery, I couldn't go on the way I was. I was doing really really well for the first year or so after the surgery and now am having issues again. Spinal surgery is not gauranteed. I have heard of people who completely heal from it and others that don't. Do your research and educate yourself before making a final decision. If you have any questions you want to ask of me since I had the same exact surgery as you are facing, I would be happy to answer them for you. Good luck.
Julie
Degenerative Disc Disease. C4-C6 Fusion with instrumentation (cage, plates & 8 screws) April 2, 2008.
Traci,
Surgery is definetly a personal and difficult decision that only you can make for yourself. I completely understand what you are going through. I had C4-C6 fused Aril 2, 2008. I had all of the same symptoms you discribed above and my quality of life was horrible. For me personally, I didn't think twice about the surgery, I couldn't go on the way I was. I was doing really really well for the first year or so after the surgery and now am having issues again. Spinal surgery is not gauranteed. I have heard of people who completely heal from it and others that don't. Do your research and educate yourself before making a final decision. If you have any questions you want to ask of me since I had the same exact surgery as you are facing, I would be happy to answer them for you. Good luck.
Julie
Degenerative Disc Disease. C4-C6 Fusion with instrumentation (cage, plates & 8 screws) April 2, 2008.