Headaches and neck pain

[Rutey]

My PCP sent me for an MRI of the neck due to headaches, neck pain and left arm numbness. I got the results back as follows:

Spondylosis identified at C5-6 with moderate to severe stenosis and nerve root canal narrowing left worse than right related to uncovertebral joint spurring. Potential irritation of the left C6 root.
Central spur disc combination at C6-7 with mild to moderate stenosis.
Shallow left paramedian spur disc combination at C4-5 with mild stenosis.
He said this was not good and is sending me to a neurosurgeon. Is this something I could potentially need surgery for? Will therapy work?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

Surgery for cervical spine degenerative disease (which is very common in teh population and is due to 'wear and tear') is recommended if there is a fixed or progressive neurological deficit ie the arm is becoming paralysed, or severe intractable pain or an unstable spine. Surgery may stop any future damamge to the spinal cord or nerve roots but may not necessarily resolve the pain and current symptoms. The risks need to be weighted against the benefit and this is something you have to discuss with the neurosurgeon.

Although I have not seen the MRI itself the report suggests that the left C6 nerve root is the main one affected by MRI and that the cord is not compromized. A C6 lesion could cause numbness in the lateral aspect of the arm and hand, and weakness of the biceps muscle (arm flexion). It is important to tie the symptoms to the MRI findings as one does not necessarily mean the other.
Conservative treatment with PT, course of steroids, and analgesics may be enough to settle the symptoms down.

[jan]

Listen to the dr. who responded!  Try conservative measures first.  I tried PT it only made it worse.  I was on narcotics, but able to discontinue after epidurals.  I was, also, able to put off surgery!  

Before I had decided to put off surgery, however, a MS specialist (I saw for some other problems) said, "You are not going to have that surgery."  He said this 3x's and it really got me aggravated.  I worked hard at accepting it.  LOL  Then he told me that there are 3 outcomes to the spinal surg., 1. better 2. the same 3. worse.  I have seen two people I know worse off.  I have heard success stories, too, though.

The neurosurgeon insisted I see a neuro every 3-6 mos. (I go every 6) to make sure I get surgery before permanent damage or atrophy.

I take a muscle relaxer daily and have a narcotic to use as needed.  If I get to bad pain again or my arm feeling totally alien I will try more epidurals.  I know not everybody is fortunate enough to get relief with them, but they are sure worth a try!

Good luck

[Rutey]

Thanks for the advice. I DO NOT want surgery, I will try physical therapy or whatever else I can do. I cannot take steroids due to my blood pressure problems, so I'm trying to deal with it. Thanks!

[jerzeeok]

I have been seeing a PT concerning neck pain caused by bone spurs and degenerative discs in my neck.

After about 12 weeks of therapy I noticed that I was feeling much better.  However, the other day I was speaking to someone and I leaned onto my elbow which caused severe pain to shoot up into my neck and has caused a headache type of sensation.  

I don't know if this is a problem with the discs again or something else, and I am having difficulty relieving this pain.  Any suggestions on the cause of this pain, and how to relieve it would be greatly appreciated.

[mieltorta]

I've been suffering from a very persistant headache which runs from behind my left eye into my timple and down behind my ear and into my kneck for 3 weeks now.I've been to see doctors and i've had cat scans done as well, all of which " they " say are normal.This is a headache that " never " goes away, It's always there no matter what i take or what they prescribe.They have treated me for a sinus infection,which was NOT the problem, has anyone or does anyone have any suggestions on what i should do next?.....This is a very painful way to live, im 32 and i have no idea where this headache came from or how. And it's very scarey to be sick all the time and not know why, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, for i know i am NOT the only one who is suffering from something of this nature ...Thank you.Chrissy

[Claver]

Chrissy,

Many of us is suffering from something like this ... I've been feeling lighteaded/dizzy pretty much most of 2005 ... so don't feel you're alone with this ...

And if there were something seriously wrong, the doctors would have found it by now ...

Let's have faith and hope that soon this will end .. let's just face this battle one day at a time ...

Claver