I'm a 42 year-old active and otherwise healthy male.
I recieved whiplash 10 years ago in a rearend car accident. Besides excruciating pain in my neck at the time of the crash, I suffered only a strange, but permanent, sensitivity to the skin on the back of my skull and neck - resulting in a sunburn-like sensation when touched. I also had moderate numbness in my upper back just below my neck.
5 years later, I suffered a strange injury that resulted in severe right shoulder pain, then atrophy & weakness in my right pectoral, triceps, forearm and latissimis. At the time, nerve conductivity tests noted considerable nerve injury. I was given anti-inflamatories and told to give it time to heal. The Neurologist said I'd probably just stretched the nerves.
I let it go for 5 years with no improvement - the atrophy and weakness are still present. I've managed to still be very active although my dominant right side is very weak with pronounced mucle wasting. I've learned to compensate by using other muscles, I suppose.
A couple times a month, I experience headaches in conjunction with pain in my right/rear neck muscles. I also experience a sensation much like "Restless Leg Syndrome" in which my legs get really antsy while laying down, just before I fall asleep.
A few months ago, I started experiencing inexplicable severe pain in my right shoulder / shoulder blade area.
I went to a Chiropractor. X-rays indicated two seperate disk compressions (C5 & C6). Started traction therapy which resulted in severe pain, pins-and-needles and numbness in my right shoulder, scapula, arm, hand and fingers during the actual traction. These symptoms would stop shortly after each treatment ended. This was the type of traction that was supposed to re=establish the curve in my neck.
I stopped traction after 2 or 3 treatments, but the numbness and pins-and-needles are now constant with spikes in severity several times an hour. My right thumb, index and middle fingers and the top of my hand are continiously numb.
Had an MRI two weeks ago indicating a bulging disk (C6/C7) with "moderate to severe Stenosis". Waiting for my doctor to give me a referral to a Neurosurgeon. I'm dealing with an HMO and everything seems to be moving very slowly. My doctor had a sense of urgency (over the phone) once he finally got back to me with the results. After I see the referral Neurosurgeon, I plan on getting a second opinion from a Neurosurgeon of my choosing.
Is surgery in my immediate future? If so, am I a candidate for Endoscopic surgery? What about my prognosis - is the 5-year old muscle atrophy and weakness permanent?
After treatment, will my neck be forever more susceptable or prone to injury due to my active lifestyle? (I race motorcycles).
Thanks.