neck pain due to disc herniation

[pitneck]

About 1 yr. ago I was diagnosed with disc herniation c3,c4&c5.
1 mo. therapy and 10 mo. of chiropratic releived some symptoms (pain in right shoulder, and numbness/tingling in right hand).  However still have pain on right side of neck and the only real releif is from support from collar.

I have seen an ortho. but will get a second opinion since the other treatments did not resolve problems entirely.  Should I be expecting some kind of injection therapy or what else?  Of course I want to avoid any surgery.  

Note:
One year prior to my symptoms I was involved in a rear end collision but no real issues till a year after the accident.
Was told there was no relation but sometimes I wonder since the herniation is common in whiplash cases.

Any comments or suggestions?  Maybe someone has similar problem?

Thanks.

[emsfire3787]

my ortho came straight out and told me injections or surgery..he said injections give temp relief just like physical therapy.
i went ahead with the fusion i was home the next day...
recovery was the longest..i could not back to work for 4 months.depending on what kinda job u have.
only problem i had after the surgery was severe burning in my shoulders,i would just ice them, also the peice of  bone they took out of my hip for the replacement.
the surgery itself was fine.
iv also know other people to have it and feel great when they wake up.
but iv also had several different surgeries so my pain level is about a big fat 0..
good luck and discuss this with your dr.
HAPPY NEW YEAR

[sarkinot]

I have had a C5-C6 fusion three years ago, and am now back in physical therapy b/c of a C6-C7 degeneration.  What my neurosurgeion neglected to tell me when I had my fusion is that most everyone WILL have another fusion at some point.  When you fuse one joint it causes the joint above and below to become hyper mobile.

I am currently in P.T. with a very good therapist who knows what he is doing.  It may take 3-4 months of therapy to get me where I need to be.  I am having an injection in two weeks.  I will not have the surgery until I cannot stand the pain.  My doctor also put me on Lyrica for nerve pain, b/c I wasn't sleeping at night.  This has helped considerably.  Do not let a Chiropractor manipulate your neck!!!!

I didn't have a choice w/ my first fusion b/c my disc broke off and was floating around in my neck.  If you are not in that situation, I highly recommend all methods of treatment over surgery.

Best of luck!

[Tworm]

I had 2 disks replaced and fusion done. I now have 2 more disk that are going to need surgery down the road. I was informed that PT was just a temp feel good fix and I have had luck with the injections. They can be painful but worth it to me in the long run. I have lost the legaments in my neck and they have no more options for me but to put a stimulator in to confuse my brain about the pain. They could put metal pullies and cables in to help hold my neck but wow who want to be the bride of frankenstine. I wish I could be of some help I myself am frustrated. I do understand the shoulder pain it radiates from your disk in your neck. Its a normal response from disk pain. You can have pain shoot down your arms also. Sorry you are having so much trouble it sucks :( Hang in there.