Herniated cervical disc

[Shipp]

I am a 53 year old male. I have left cervical radiculopathy. My family doctor noted absent reflex in the left arm and ordered an MRI. She prescribed Lodine and I have seen a Chiropractor for spinal manipulation with no relief.
MRI CONCLUSION:
1. Left foraminal HNP C4-5
2. Right C3-4 bony spur
3.Mild degenerative disc disease C5-6
I am considering a percutaneous micro-decompression cervical discectomy with laser thermodiskoplasty. Do you have an opinion of the efficacy of this procedure? My symptoms seem to be coming from the herniation at C4-5.

[Now I know]

My reply is towards the comments of Chiropractors.  I was in a car accident in November of 1999. I have had all the symptoms and pains and annoyances. After being pushed and moved around between 3 different doctors, and Physical Therapy for 6 months,  Ultram Hydrocodine naprosyn and ibuprofen, Finally the 4th dr. a rehab/physiatrist gave me my options for my herniation of the L4 L5, and C3-4 C4-5 C5-6. Chiropractor, Pain management, Cortizone shots, Or Just deal with it ( since I WILL NOT have surgery ) I just finished up my 2nd visit with the chiropractor and I see a difference in the pain in my lower back.  Yes after the first visit I wondered if this was doing me more good than not.  But I figure after 7 months of "squat" getting accomplished What do I have to lose. Also in my dealings with the drs. and insurances You are going to get the run around, no one wants to "diagnose" the patients problem or order tests or etc. because then the insurance is going to "dock" them kick backs.  First and up-most thing to remember is YOU ARE THE EMPLOYER of these doctors. You are the one paying THEM.  I completly know better now that I am the one in charge of my health and body. NOT the doctors. It took me 6 1/2 months of complaining and trying to figure out what was wrong with my neck until Finally a MRI was taken of my neck and Wouldnt ya know it, I wasnt faking it, I just wasnt wasting their time, I did have something truly wrong , So who was wasting whos time here. I say, If you have tried the meds, the Pt the drs. I would definatly NOT do surgery for a mild herniation  or buldge, if you question it, just ask someone in your Pt facility that has had the surgery and see what they say. It will scare you to death about the surgery. Good luck all!

[Pamela Olsen]

I have a disk problem of the 5-6-7th. I have had this for problem
for 10 years, but it started at just the 5-6. I had another MRI on 5-19-00 and found out that the 6-7th was affected to and they both are herniate with possible fusion. The neurosurgen that I am seeing is saying that I am a candidate for surgery. I have read all the notes here and it dosen't sound to promising, but I have had this for along time and it affects me so bad that just getting out of a car, turning my head the wrong way, or just stretching in bed makes my neck go out, I mean I can't even move my neck. Are the success results of getting rid of the pain really that bad! I go to PT now cause my neck just froze up in May, and one year it froze up 4 times. I just feel that I can't go through this all the time, but if it's really that bad I might have secound thoughts. Do they really have to take a bone to replace your disk and put a plate and  screws in your neck? Thanks for listening. Pamela

[jsh]

i was involved in a low impact collision approximately one month ago.  i was a passenger in a taxi cab and we were stopped at a traffic light when we were rear-ended by another vehicle.  I don't remember the accident because i was so intoxicated at the time, and there was no damage to either vehicle. about two days after the accident i developed intense pain in my neck and had numbness in my right arm. the insurance co. has refused to pay my medical bills because they say that there is no way that the accident could have caused my injuries.  i don't remember much about that night, but the accident is the only thing that i can possibly think of that could have caused my pain.  can an accident of approx. 5 miles per hour cause a herniated cervical disc?

jsh

[jsh]

i was involved in a low impact collision approximately one month ago.  i was a passenger in a taxi cab and we were stopped at a traffic light when we were rear-ended by another vehicle.  I don't remember the accident because i was so intoxicated at the time, and there was no damage to either vehicle. about two days after the accident i developed intense pain in my neck and had numbness in my right arm. the insurance co. has refused to pay my medical bills because they say that there is no way that the accident could have caused my injuries.  i don't remember much about that night, but the accident is the only thing that i can possibly think of that could have caused my pain.  can an accident of approx. 5 miles per hour cause a herniated cervical disc?

jsh

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

thanks for your comments.

CCF Neuro MD

[Joann]

To Warren,
As a 40yr. old I had anterior cervical diskectomy in July 1999. I had fission and plating.( C4-5 and C5-6) I had 2 reputured disc.I had neck/back pain. I also had pain and numbness in my left arm and  hand. I am still recovering. I began therapy at 6 weeks post-op. I began a work conditioning program. Thats really when I went down hill. I started getting awful headaches with much dizziness. My left arm & hand were still numb and painful. An E.M.G. showed carpal tunnel syndrom. I have large knots behind each ear causing much pain. I have quit the work conditioning and only doing therapy for the carpal tunnel & myofacial release for the tightness in my neck. All symptons are improving at this time. I also got T.M.J. from the surgery. They prop your mouth open and have your head in an odd position for the surgery. The T.M.J. also causes one to grind their teeth while sleeping. I had to get a tooth repaired and now wear a mouth piece while sleeping. I was told I would return to my job 2-3 month post-op. Its been 6 1/2 months and I'm a long ways from returning.