cervical medial branck block

i have some degeneration and bone spurs in my c-5 c-6 c-7 to the point of putting pressure on my spine.  i have been seen by a neuro and spinal specialist and have been offered the above mentioned procedure.  i told the the np that i have a problem with having low blood platlet cts (92,000) last check because of hep c.  when i mentioned this to the np she said that the procedure could not be done because low platletes are dangerous when getting this type of tx.  can some one tell me what if any options i may have if indeed this is a fact that low platletes are an issue. and why are they an issue. i have had a stint placed twice with my platletes were at apprx 50,000.  is there something i am missing that i do not comprehend. why do platletes play a mjor role in cortizon being shot between the branches of vertabral.  could some please explain this to me in lay-mans terms and could someone tell me if there are any alternatives to tx my spine other thn what has been offered and then withdrew.   i would really appreciate any and all advice given.

thx kc  :O)

[Nassim Abi Chahine, MD]

First of all I dont know what type of pain you have, do you have severe irradiating to your upper limbs pain ?
Does it feasible to go for surgery when you do not have the severe disturbing pain ?
Traction for 20 minutes twice daily with 3 Kg (5-6 pounds) maximum will relief your pain after 2 weeks, and that relief will last for years.

Dont' do Cortison injections, it has many side effects including local oteoporosis.
Maybe your hepatitis C is the main cause and limitation of your treatment spectrum.
Low platlet count does mean nothing. Sorry I dont see a meaning for it.

take care
Dr Nassim

[kcrandy]

thank you for your reply.
the symptoms i am exp are numbness in both arms and hands ( periodically ) dizziness fatigue and headaches are just a few but the most concerning was losing gripping ability and dropping things.
when i was checked by ortho and then a neuro surg they said that i was having a lot degeneration in my c-5 c-6 c-7 to the point of pressure being placed on my spine.  that was why i was reffered to a spinal and pain clinic by the veterans admin for the mentioned tx.  the clinic said that low platletes were a pre-requesit for no tx because clotting plays big part in the tx process and if i do not clot fast enough that the blood that floats around after tx could possibly cause total paralysis, my last platlete ct was 92,000 and i take ticlid for a stint that keeps it in that range.  thats why i asked med help and in this case a professional for some advice.
it is stunning that you mentioned my hep c  beacuse i did ask the clinic if that was an issue as well and was told no!  that the biggest issue was the platletes.
i agree that cortizon is not the best drug to use too.  i have had some injections years back for my shoulder and  you are right the sides are not always good.  i just know that i want to get my neck problem fixed and i am hoping va along with myself will be able to find an alternative tx method.
again thank you so much for your time and thoughts.  i will try to let you know how this works out.  :O)