Neck Pain-Pain in Right Arm-Numb at Fingertips

[Ouchmyneckhurts]

I have pain in R. Side of neck, shoulder, Underarm, arm, hand, and numbness in Fingertips-Pointer & Middle Finger.  MRI Impression:  Straigtening of the normal cervical curvature with post-operative fusion of the 5th & 6th cervical vertebrae (from previous surgery 10 yrs. ago).  Degeneration of the cervical intervertebral discs.  There is a small right-sided focal protrusion of the intervertebral disc at the C6-7 level which impinges on the right side of the anterior margin of the cervical spinal cord & also results in slight narrowing of the right neural formen.  There is also considerable narrowing of the left neural foramen at the C3-4 level.  X-ray Impression: Reversal of the normal cervical curvature.  Status-Post fusion of the 5th & 6th cervical vertebrae.  Degenerative change of the C6-7 Intervertebral disc space.  Narrowed left neural foramina at the C3-4 level.  Question is this...will I require surgery to correct these problems?  Also, Along with the constant pain, I get lightheadedness multiple times a day and muscle "twitches" in my arm and hand...are these symptoms all related to MRI/X-Ray findings listed above?  I see a Neurosurgeon next week and would like to know what to expect.  Thanks!

[anntate]

ive been having pain down my right arm since may. my fingers are numb, got pins and needles going down my arm. having mri on friday, i have to be in it for 1 and half hrs. i hate being in small spaces, how have others coped with it and has anyone else been in it that long?

[KAJACKS]

MY FRIEND URGED ME TO FIND A FORUM IN THE EVENT THAT SOMEONE OUT THERE COULD GIVE US SOME INFORMATION TO HELP US...WE BOTH HAVE NECK PAIN, AND PAIN GOING DOWN THE RIGHT ARM, AND TINGLING IN OUR FINGERS (I ALSO HAVE SOME TINGLING IN MY LEFT WRIST, AND FINGERS.) WE ARE BOTH RIGHT-HANDED. SHE IS SCHEDULED TO HAVE AN MRI DONE THIS WEEK OR THE NEXT. I HAVE HAD ONE DONE; THE RESULTS WERE NOT GOOD. I HAVE ALL CUSHIONS GONE IN MY NECK GONE, AND POSSIBLE CARBAL TUNNEL? ALSO, AM HAVING PAIN DOWN THE SPINE, AND LOW BACK PAIN. I AM CURRENTLY AT WORK W/NECK,RGT ARM, AND BACK BRACES ON AT THE CREDIT CARD TABLE (I CAN STAND, OR SIT AT MY LEISURE.) THIS ALL ORIGINALLY STARTED AS A WORK/COMP SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT INJURY DUE TO REPETITIOUS MOVEMENTS AT WORK, ETC. HER AND I TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME FOR GOD TO SEE US THROUGH. WE WILL TAKE ANY ADVISE, OR PRAYERS.

KAJACKS

[jelovem]

Hello, I was just wondering what the neuro said abot the dizziness?  I have a similiar condition but last couple of weeks have been getting dizzy 4-5 times a day.  Let me know if he told you....

Thanks

[Ouchmyneckhurts]

Well...went to the Neurosurgeon and he says surgery...He talked about using a metal ring (or something like that) instead of a cadaver bone...Said he had a lot of success using that vs. cadaver bone.  Says it eliminates the risk of getting a disease from the doner bone.  Anyone else get this type of disc replacement?

[Ouchmyneckhurts]

Thanks for your comment.  I'm also thinking they are going to have to do surgery...My regular doc called to tell me the results of the MRI and wanted to make sure I had made the appointment with the Neurosurgeon.  Pain in arm is getting worse by the day, and the numbness in my two fingers is going higher up the finger, no longer just numb in the fingertips.  The pain in my arm feels like it is in the bone itself...nothing helps the pain...only makes me sleepy.  My regular doc put me on Prednisone to take in combination with Vicodin.  That's not helping the pain either.  The dizzyness/lightheadedness is increasing...It happens almost all the time now....especially when I am driving...which is pretty scary.  I can be sitting, standing, anything, and I'll get dizzy, but it especially happens if I am exerting myself in anyway.  I wonder if the dizzyness is because of the compression on the spinal cord? I see the neurosurgeon on Monday...I'll post again when I get his comments.  Thanks again!

[janedough]

expect surgery. one thing i do know is if you need sugery to relieve presure off the spinal cord dont wait untill u have permanet damage. believe me that hurts.