pain in the neck

[althea13]

what is the treatment for mass effect on spinal cord c6/7

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there and welcome to the medhelp forum. The cause of mass effect needs to be checked, if it is a prolapsed intervertebral disc b/w C6-C7 due to trauma or age related disc degeneration or slipping of C7 vertebra over C6 (spondylolisthsis). You would also need to be checked for if there is any central canal stenosis and spine compression. Management would vary according to the etiology. Initially supportive measures are tried like painkillers for pain and physiotherapy for relief of symptoms. Other operative options are Anterior cervical discectomy to relieve the compression due to prolapsed disc and decompression laminectomy for canal stenosis to create more space for the spinal cord. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

[tschock]

Normally they will try physical therapy first. If this does not help, then surgery will discussed.