disc prolapse at C5/6

[Tweetles]

After losing feeling and and strength in his arm my husband received his results from a CT Scan.  "At C5/6 there is a large right posterolateral disc prolapse.  This impinges upon the cord and nerve root on the right side".  As both our GP and the Neurosurgeon we have been referred to are away on vacation we just want to ask a couple of question. Is this of a serious nature? does this require surgery? If so what do we have to expect? and how long will the recovery period be?

Regards Donna

[norrie16]

A related discussion, surgery on prolapsed disc at c5/6 was started.

[Salvatore]

Have you ever seen a chiropractor who does accupressure and/or accupuncture?  I was involved in a pretty severe auto accident, bruised spinal cord, herniated foramen magnum, four cervical disk herniations with displacement of the spinal cord, three herniated lumbar vertebra.  I did the route with doctors, physical therapy, etc.  It was not until someone pressured me into seeing a chiropractor that I found any relief from the burning and numbness in the arms and legs.  

Before seeing the chiropractor I was not able to drive for long distances, could not bend down and pick things up without experiencing pain in the lower back, could not sit and read without getting the burning in the arms, and generally turned into a grumpy old couch potato.  After 6-8 weeks of treatment with the chiropractor and accupuncture I was much improved.  I can pick up the nieces and nephews, sit down and read a book for an hour or so.  This past month I went out and shoveled snow without experiencing any muscle tightness or pain in the lower back, where previously it was unthinkable.  Two weeks ago I went out and shoveled both my own driveway and my neighbors!  After years of suffering I found relief through accupuncture and the chiropractor.  

[tdemik]

I had a cervical fusion(c6-c7) in 1999. It would seem as that was a temporal fix. I now suffer from numerous heriations located above and below the fusion sight. I suffer severe pain throughout my spinal column. I now feel my thoracic section has herniations. My left hand and leg are frequently numb and very weak. I suffer spasms in my chest, arm, and leg. Sometimes have trouble swallowing and never sleep through the night. Most recently I suffer from digestive problems with an inability to move my bowels.I have eliminated many possible diagnosis by seeing a(heart specialist, gastro specialist, neuro surgeon). I feel my problems are systemic in nature, as there have been brought on over a period of time following my neck injury in 1997. I mentioned this to my Doctors but they think nothing of it.Please offer any advice and or treatment options. Could this be cervical stenosis?
Tim

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

Without examining your husband, reviewing his history in detail, and reviewing the imaging I cannot make a clinical diagnosis or recommend a specific treatment. The CT scan shows a herniated disc at the C5-6 level which is pushing on the spinal cord and the nerve on the right side. Most herniated discs can be treated with medical therapy (physical therapy and a course of an anti-inflammatory). Over time the disc will "dry up" and "shrink" and his symptoms should improve. However, if there is significant weakness, pain, or no improvement over time then surgery may be needed. The main goal of surgery is to prevent further loss of function, and to hopefully improve on the function lost. The surgical options would include simply removing the herniated disc alone, removing the disc completely and performing a fusion at the C5-6 level, or also removing part of the bone in that region. Again, without reviewing the details I cannot tell you which technique is necessary. The recovery will be determined by the type of surgery performed, and your husbands overall health. Good luck.