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.

[nancy]

I have been in pain since 1993 when an on the job injury left me with bulging L4 & L5. The pain has gotten so bad that I havent been able to work for over a year. My surgeon seems to be unwilling to do any type of surgery untill I can't walk at all.
I have pain 24-7 . I have been taking 500mg to 1500mg of Vicodin
a day and muscle relaxers for the past 5 years. I know that I am addicted but it has not gotten out of control because I cant take
more than 2 or 3 a day without vomiting, which is unbearable. The pain is driving me crazy. I get "stuck" often, unable to move without severe pain. I sometimes have numbness in my right leg and tingling in my feet, most of the time I have to walk taking short steps. At times my bladder and bowels feel like there going to explode. I am scared of surgery and want to wait as long as possible, but I HAVE to find a pain killer that works better
than what I'm taking now. Any advice would be greatly appreiciated. Email me at ***@****
       There are places on the web that say Advanced outpatient
Endoscopic discectomy is 90% effective, is this true? Is this the same as microsurgery?

[Sharon]

Thank you for answering me.  I just would like to know if I should see a neurologist.  My primary doctor doesnt think so.                            
                                   Sharon

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Sharon:

Bulging discs are not usually made much better by surgery.  Most of the treatments should be medical at first.  Unless the problem is mechanical (pain with movement that is located to a particular spinal root) then it is a **** shoot as far as recovery from the pain.  Four weeks is only a short trial of medical management.  Get a second opinion and try and find a good rehab specialist who will work with your neurologist.

CCF Neuro MD

[Sharon]

I have buldging disk C-3 through C7 confirmed by a MRI. I've had four weeks therapy and symptoms are worse, I have more pain in arms and more numbness in arms,hands and face. Also I have nerve pain in left buttock and down leg all the time now. My doctor is sending me to another doctor but he is not a neurologist. Should I go to see a neurologist? And is surgery advised if problem doesnt get any better. Very worried about this because I keep getting worse instead of better.  also I dont't want to live on medications.

                                         Thank you
                                                   Sharon

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Dee:

Radicular pain is a term we use for pain arising from the spinal roots.  Usually it is caused by problems in the boney structures impinging on the nerve as it exits the spinal column.

CCF Neuro MD

[Dee]

I'm sorry to bother you again.  To answer your question, yes the pain in the neck did radiate from my neck into my shoulder, primarily right sided.  What does radicular mean, I am unfamiliar with the term?  The severe pain has not returned...there is still an aspect of a duller pain, still radiating into the shoulder but not nearly as bad as before, and I have not needed any pain medication for the pain since Sunday.  Thanks for your help.