C5-6 and C7-8 Disc Bulging and C7-8 Foraminal Stenosis

[kimmie]

I am an RN with an orthopedic and neuro background but now I am the patient. I was involved in 2 separate car accidents 16 years ago and have had neck, bilateral shoulder and left arm pain, pinching and occasional numbness since then but never had any imaging studies except x-rays. I had bronchitis 8 weeks ago and was coughing hard for 2-3 days and started having significant right shoulder pain with numbness and aching down the back of my arm to my fingers. I have had one steroid dosepack and 2 injections of solumedrol which have helped the pain some. I had an MRI last week which shows multilevel DDD and disc bulging at C5-6 and C7-8 wild mild spinal cord compression and some foraminal stenosis. My orthopedist says my pain does not correlate with my MRI scan and ordered EMG and nerve conduction studies. He said I might need epidural steroid injections.

My questions are:
1. Is my doc on the right track? He is NOT a spine surgeon, just a general ortho.
2. This pain is BAD. I can barely function or use my arms and am unable to sleep more than 2-3 hours at a time. I need some relief. Typically, rest and anti-inflammatories relieve this type of injury within a few weeks (my experiences w/patients).It has been 2 months and I am getting worse. Should I see a neurosurgeon after my EMG is done?

Any advice appreciated.

Kimmie

[kimmie]

One more thing I forgot to add is I am also having pain in both collar bones and my front ribs since this neck and arm thing started 2 months ago. It is NOT cardiac.

[star queen]

Your pain is consistant with a compression injury to the nerve at C-6/7, T1 levels.  The bulging disc is probably going to have to be repaired.  There is a surgical proceedure where the disc is replaced with a spacer to maintain proper spacing between the vertebra. Range of motion is maintained and pain is eliminated. I have seen many people get steroid shots for neck disc problems, but it rarely works well. If the doc is REALLY good, it may work for a few weeks, then you will need another one. It may be worth a try while you are waiting to find and see the appropriate doc, but don't expect much in the way of long term pain relief. See a neurologist that specializes in this type of spinal proceedure.  Check out the AMA site under the Board for Neurology to find a Board Certified specialist in your area.  This surgery is serious and shouldn't be entered into lightly.  Check out the doc VERY WELL. How many has this doc done?  This proceedure isn't that old, so he/she won't have done thousands, but should have done at least 50. Check for complaints, ask about law suits, get references.  Since you are in the business, check with the nurses who work with the doc at the hospital or surgery center and also check with the med asst. at the office he works at.  He/she is the one who REALLY knows how these surgeries pan out with the doc.  Good luck