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c5/6 herniared discs
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MedHelp Member's Question

c5/6 herniared discs

by Robin, Feb 06, 2000 12:00AM
I have been teated for this for 6 months by therapy and to series of cortisone injections. they now want me to have epidural and say if it dont work they will consider removing the disc.i have pain in right shoulder runs down to my hand some numbness. this injury is about 3 years old and till this year i dealt with it but now it is getting in the way I cant lift over 20 lbs and have to be very carefull. My husband and I dont know what way to go since nothing has woeked this far. I am on inflamatory and have been for about 6 months. Could you please give me pros and cons or help so we could make a decision
Doctor's Answer

by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Feb 06, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Robin:



It is difficult for me to tell you anything as I have not seen the MRI, done a physical exam, etc.  What does your neurologist say?  Surgery is usually the last option, and reserved for severe herniation with cord compression, facet obliteration, etc.  The outcome is dependent on the extent of the lesion, surgeon, type of procedure, and rehab.  I would seek a second opinion from someone who can see the films, do the exam, and then give you more of a concrete answer concerning possible outcomes. Then talk to your rehab specialist and see what he/she recommends as they see you alot and know your lesion. Most find that unless the lesion is causing mechanical induction of pain, the surgery is a **** shoot as far as completely resolving the pain.  I would imagine that if there was muscle atrophy, loss of nerve function (by EMG) the surgery would have already been recommended.  



Sincerely,



CCF Neuro MD
Member Comments (23)

by Leah Neal, Feb 06, 2000 12:00AM
Hi,

I have the same problem, namely herniation at C 5-6.  



I also am preparing for two other surgeries which are NOT related, so I won't go into

them here.



The pain is in my shoulder/neck and sounds like same spot as yours.  But the

Pain Management doctor [who I thought was going to give me some Trigger Point

Injections] said they were 'out' since I am allergic to cortizones and also

can't tolerate steroids of any kind.



I have been incapacitated for over 6 months with the pain in my back/shoulder. My

MRI clearly shows the herniations in both C 5-6 and also C-4-5.  But three

Neurosurgeons said my pain coming more from the C 5-6 specifically.  I was

so happy when I was referred to a Pain Management team.  Now I feel so let down.

I had to give up my private practice (I am a clinician also) and won't have my life

back until I can get this muscles taken care of.



Anyone know of something other than cortizones and/or steroids that the Pain Management

peopole can use with the Trigger Point Injections?



Or CCF Doctor, know of any other alternatives which would be better than very temporary?

How does one get medical help done, when one can't take cortizone nor steroids?

Thanks so much,

Leah Neal |

***@****

by Leah, Feb 07, 2000 12:00AM
I, too, have a severe herniation in C5-6. The neurosurgeon (top in the region) told me that all that could be done is surgery. After a bout with horrible pain, arm/hand weakness, extreme-at-times leg weakness, and tingling down my right arm, I suddenly felt much better - until now as I'm experiencing some pain once again, although not as bad as one year ago. I just wonder, since you've been "incapacitated" and have numbness, why have they not indicated surgery for you? From what I understand numbness is serious and can indicate nerve damage. Are you avoiding surgery (as I am?) Just wondering.



Regards, Dawn

by Barbara Klinger, Feb 08, 2000 12:00AM
I had the same problem about 6 years ago.  I went for McKenzie therapy and it took all the pain away.  Now, 3 1/2years ago I was in a car accident and suffer from severe whiplash.  I had an anterior cervical discectomy in Nov of 97 for herniated disc at C6-C7.  It did not help at all.  I had an epidural which set me back to square one.  i've had 100's of trigger point injections, which helped for a couple of weeks.  I have facet nerve blocks, which lasted for about 1 month.  They then did and RFL, which is when they corterize your facet nerves.  That numbed my back on the side they did for 6 months.  I also have a problem with my muscles not releasing.  They are always in knots and I'm in pain all the time.  I am so tired of doctors.  I wish they weren't so worried about being suied and would just give you an honest opinion.  If anyone out there has any advice, please let me know.

I think the most important thing to remember, is that you have to trust your doctor and do what you think is best for you.  Get a couple of opinions just to make sure.  I had three opinions before my diskectomy and they all said I needed the surgery.

I hope you all find some relief soon.  I know how you feel.

Take care.

Barb

by Carolyn, Feb 08, 2000 12:00AM
I'm sorry to here about your suffering. I too have the same problems, especially similiar to the woman above. 2+ years in, and I just had my third MRI last week. Re-herniated what was left of my C6-C7 disk after a right hemilamonectomy 6 months ago. Diffuse osteophytic ridging causing diffuse central canal narrowing. More focal left paracentral broad disc protrusion appears to be calcified and causes, in addition to diffuse cord flattening, more focal impingement of the left anterior aspect of the cervical cord. What does this mean for all of us? It means we live in fear of our pain. It means we are in constant, chronic pain. Pain that can eat us up. Pain that is destroying the quality of our lives. Sometimes life just sucks. I am 34 years old. I have 3 young boys. I don't know what I'm going to do. I am in constant discomfort. I still have pain and weakness from my last ruptured disc and surgery. Get a second and even a third opinion. If surgery is indicated, then do it. I too, have tried everything. It's about getting rid of the pain. Let your lawyer deal with the insurance companies and all that junk. In this state of pain, it is easy for any of us to become depressed. Take care of yourself, do the excersises and stretches. Take your medications and have the proper treatments and procedures preformed. But, do not be intimidated, feel silly, or worry about insulting your doctor, by asking questions. It's all about you, and only you, when you go in there. I hope you find relief. I hope we all find relief. CYA

by Carolyn again, Feb 08, 2000 12:00AM
One of my doctors has mentioned Prolo Therapy. Some sort of sugar water injections and supposedly it allows your muscles to re-heal properly. I'm not so sure it's for me, but maybe it is something you could look into. Good luck!

by Deborah Brown, Feb 09, 2000 12:00AM
Just wanted to let you know you are not alone.  I went thru the same difficult decesion of whether to have surgery or not.  I ruptured c 6-7 with severe spinal cord compression.  I dealt with the pain for 6 month's, did the injections, therapy, massage etc nothing completely releived the pain.  I went to several nuerosurgeons and found one I finally trusted and had an anterior cervial fusion.  The results were good NOT great.  I still have pain in my hand and lots of numbness, but it is much more manageable than it was prior to surgery.  My hand is still numb probably due to nerve damage.  I would recommend the surgery only as a last resort.  I still have difficulty sleeping comfortably and muscle spasms