Is surgery an option for a C6-C7 protrusion?

[Health4good]

I have protrusions in my C5-C7, Reduculopathy of the C6-C7 per 3 EMGS, severe neck arm, arm , arm pit and forearm pain with numbness in the fingers as well as a neurogenic bladder.  This has gone on for 1.5 years. I have had 1 year of PT, pain meds, and going for a Epidural of the C6-C7 tomorrow. If that doesn't work, is surgery an option for protrusions or only herniations? I'm at a loss with the impact this has had on my life.

[Health4good]

Thank you Kalvin! I really appreciate it. I promise will exhaust all option before I do any surgery, especially after hearing so many bad stories. I'm just at a loss because it just keeps getting worse and it's been 3 weeks.
It's a strange feeling to no longer move my arm. It won't budge and the pain is debilitating. Missing out on so many things with my family. Very frustrating to not be able to move at all right now.
Thanks for your caring ways and concern. I do not want surgery, just praying the shots help and it's normal with this for your to lose arm movement.

[Health4good]

Once again, thank you dearly!! I have not heard of that neck exercise so I will  try it. The steroid shot has been delayed until next week

[philnoir]

Yes, thank you Kalvin.

I usually write this and thought that I did -- surgery should always be the treatment choice of last resort. And then you need a second or third opinion.

Sometimes surgery is a no-brainer. If that disc is pressing against the nerve root causing severe radiculopathy, you may get immediate relief. Also, if stenosis is threatening the cord, surgery may be the right choice.

Find surgeons who are not so eager to cut, but want to do whatever is right for you. Our top doc here in my state operates on less than 10% of his consults. Then there are those who operate every chance they get. Which one would you chose?

Best wishes.

[Kalvin]

Just to reiterate what philnoir wrote, please exhaust all conservative measures 1st. I've had neck surgery, twice and I can assure you that it is by no means a silver bullet and should only be used as a last resort.

Hope u feel Better :-)

[philnoir]

Me too, but sorry to say -- the odds are against it. However, it's good to try, and yes, they might offer a second or even third ESI, but no more. W/O seeing your films it is difficult to tell if you'll be able to avoid surgery or not.

Your docs know more about your case than I do and they sound like they're going slow and smart, and continuing to treat your pain, so stay with them. That's what I'd do.

Some PTs are better than other PTs. One PT long ago helped with cervical foraminal stenosis so much so that it was has longer a problem. Of course, I still have a lot of arthritis!

He did it by holding my head against his chest as I turned into the pain. He held hard and it hurt, but after a few months, it opened up my range of motion and I was better.

I did not have a herniation or protrusion. (Do you know the difference? Look it up!) But I did have DDD (still do).  Consider a different PT who is good with necks.

Usual neck advice -- sleep with good head and neck support, like a rolled up towel or pillow in the neck space. Do you know the MacKenzie exercises? You tuck your chin and turn, left, right, up, down all trying to increase range of motion. There's a book -- Fix Your Own Neck by Robin MacKenzie. It doesn't work for everyone, but give it a try. Ice always works well for me. Alternating ice with heat can kill pain too. NSAIDs, if you can take them, can be helpful. Protect your stomach with food first.

Good luck today. (You've probably already had it). Give it a few days to reduce the inflammation. Ice it.

Best wishes.

[Health4good]

Was hoping it would be you that answered! :)  I'm really am hoping the shot works, and will absolutely give it a chance. Would they do more shots? What other kind of things can they do besides PT, shots, ice?
Crazy how it's now my cervical now.The thoracic is a bit better.

[philnoir]

Yes, surgery is an option, but not always a wise choice, so it is a good idea to try more conservative measures first.

Ask your doctor about the next step in your treatment plan.