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is it time for more aggressive treatment/surgery?

Neck pain for a few years. Presently on muscle relaxants, narcotic pain killer, anti-inflammatory. I have had chiro tx, PT, cervical epidural, trigger point injections. This has all helped to increase the range of motion which was severely limited for awhile. I get severe, long lasting headaches that radiate usually to my right eye--they are very similar to migraines. The radiofrequency was helpful for a little while for the headaches, but now they are back and quickly getting worse. Another MRI was just done (the previous one was about 3 years ago). I am wondering if maybe it is time to see another doctor and maybe explore surgery as an option. My present pain management doctor wants to do the radiofrequency again. Even though it may be helpful again for a little while for the headaches, it really didnt do much for th neck and shoulder pain. I have had severe left arm and shoulder pain in the past. Lately, I have occassional sharp throbbing pain left shoulder. Now I sometimes have sharp throbbing pain right forearm and sometimes pain right hand. These are only the significant findings on the MRI just done last week. Any input or opinions would be appreciated.......#1--Mild straightening of the normal cervical lordosis.....#2--At C2-3 mild disc desiccation is identified . A mild broad based disc osteophyte complex INDENTS the ventral thecal sac without effacement of the cord or neural foraminal narrowing. There is mild interval increased magnitude of the disc osteophyte complex since the previous study (1997). ......#3--At C3-4 a broad based disc osteophyte complex with associated tiny central posterior disc osteophyte herniation is recognized. There is mild prominence of the right uncovertebral joint NARROWING the right lateral recess. The left neural foramina is patent......#4--AtC4-5 a moderate broad based disc osteophyte complex FLATTENS the ventral thecal sac and EFFACES  the ventral cervical cord. NARROWING of the bilateral neural foramina is recognized at this level......#5--At C5-6 a broad based disc osteophyte complex with an associated left paracentral disc herniation and endplate spur is identified EFFACING the left aspect of the cervical cord. Mild bilateral neural foraminal NARROWING is appreciated at this level......#6--At C6-7 a broad based left asymmetrically prominent disc osteophyte complex is identified which asymmetrically FLATTENS the ventral thecal sac, left side greater than right. The neural foramina remain patent at this level.
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Avatar universal
I would like to see the old post you mentioned if you can find it. I actually was at the unbearable stage a little over a year ago, but I have a high pain threshold and I trudged thru it.  I had bad problems with my arm back now. Now it is starting to come back again.  I know alot of people still have problems after surgery, so  I didnt pursue it at the time. Back then, I could barely move my neck. It took a long time, but it improved. Now, it is starting to get worse and the MRI had alot of new and worsening findings.  Well, they have a different doctor doing the nerve blocks at this pain management center. I see him in 2 days, so I will see what his opinion is.
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Avatar universal
I agree with the above post, it wouldn't hurt to hear what a couple Surgeons have to say. But keep in mind, if your pain hasn't reached the unbearable point I wouldn't advise surgery.

You have quite a few things going on here and its going to be necessary for them to match your symptoms to the MRI findings. I have a lot of similar problems, so I know what you're going through and I get the headaches too, they can be disabling.

The Shoulder pain matches up pretty good with your NARROWING of the bilateral neural foramina at C4-5, I have problems at that level too. Arm and hand symptoms are usually related to a C6 or C7 radiculopathy. The cord effacement usually causes things like tingling and weakness, are you getting any of this in your arms or legs? I have an old post about an experience I had with traction, as soon as I find it I send it to you in a P.M.


Take Care


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1159912 tn?1280588805
It never hurts to have a surgical consult. Make sure to get 2 opinions. It's helpful and proactive to know what your options may be.

Your test results indicate a condition that is progressing, so staying with the same treatment doesn't sound logical.
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