cervical problem

[gurlnurs]

Over thirty years ago I was thrown thru a windshield in a car accident and got up and walked away.Xrays at the time were normal.I had symptoms of neck pain,numbness, tingling,etc for many years.Eventually I began to have numb extremities,incoordination,incontinence.The doctor I was seeing told me I was imagining it and gave me antidepressants.Things got worse ofcourse and I was eventually sent to a neurosurgeon who said I had severe spinal chord compression of at least five years duration.I had a corpectomy of c5 and fusion of 5,6,7 with plate.I have been in pain ever since with conservative management.I have a continuous muscle spasm in the right trapezius,pain in both forearms , thumbs and index fingers.EMG several years ago showed carpal tunnel,did not seek treatment.About 2 months ago I felt a sharp pain in the side of my right neck while doing some fairly heavy lifting.The trapezius is more painful and pain is worse when I turn my head in certain positions.I had 3 trigger point injections,darvocet and fexeril with minimal improvement.Also neck is cracking.Was given Medrol pack as well.About a week ago I began having tingling in my right arm ,thumb and index finger which is positional as well.Is it possible that I have herniated another disc?I really don't want to get a bunch of tests if it is just more of the same or degeneration.Doctor said reflexes are good.I do work in an area which involves lifting and fairly rigorous activity at times .What should I do?


This discussion is related to Arm Radiculopathy and C5-6, C7-8 bulging and foraminal stenosis per MRI.