Cervical Herniation

[syncmaster]

bout 18 months ago, I fell 8 feet and landed firmly on my face, impacting with a concrete floor. I had a MRI and these were the impressions:

1. Small central and right paracentral posterior disc hernation at C4-C5 level, causing mild anterior impression of the thecal sac and mild flattening deformity to the cord. There is no cord impingement or cord impression. Nor foraminal narrowing is seen.

2. Minimal annular disc bulge at C5-C6 level with a small focus of increased signal in the midline and without interval change.

3. Tiny 1 to 2 mm central disc protrusion at C6-C7 level and without any interval change. There is no central or formanial narrowing.

I have had three epidurals done and the pain continues. When seated at my desk, it feeling like someone is impaling my neck with a knife.

The doctor suggested plasma disc decompression, but I did not feel comfortable. There are no long term studies on the procedure.

Today, he told me that there is nothing else that he could do for me and is referring me to a pain doctor. This was a workers comp injury and he gave me a permanent 3 percent disability. He gave me restrictions, but said that it is up to the pain doctor if they are permanent?

The doctor maintains that my injury is minor, and I should be "okay." I have occasional burning pain on my left shoulder and it sometimes feels like my fingers are being pricked with needles. Is it possible to experience radiopathy with my MRI results. My doctor seems to think not!!

My biggest concern is that I am a law enforcement officer. Often times the pain shuts me down to such a degree, I feel that there could be occasions that I could not do my job because of physical pain. I am kidding myself if I think that I can pull a drowning victim from a car or fight with a suspect. Rigorous activity immediately gives me a severe stiff neck. Are chronic stiff necks a symptom of my condition?

Any insight would be most appreciated. Thanks

[RunningMom]

I just had a single fusion on my C5-C6 three months ago, but I did have spinal cord compression.  I also have two more herniated discs, one above and one below the fusion.  I'm in pain management and now he is thinking I should of had a 3 level fusion.  I'm very greatful to be in pain management.  There are other options/treatments to try other then the epidural steroid shots.  Before I saw my pain management doctor, I had several other opinions with neurosurgeons, sports medicine doctors, ortho docs, ect... before going into pain management.

When the surgeon had finished the surgery, he stated that the cord was compressed more then what the MRI had shown.  MRI's are not 100% accurate.  

Since your injury happened 18 months ago, your herniations may have gotten bigger.  I would ask for another MRI.  The herniations in your neck are not going to heal themselves.  Surgery is not that bad, especially if you find a good surgeon.  

[ChronicPain1]

I'm sorry for you, doctors told me there was nothing they could do either. My pain began as tightness in my shoulder and progressed to the same type, now it's neck-head and down the arm, altogether horrible pain that makes sitting or lying down intensely painful.

The neurologists I saw showed a disc bulge at C6-C7 over a year ago and told me there was nothing they could do. Try to see someone else and stress how bad it is.

[sandee1818]

You will do much better with a pain management doctor as they are better qualified to handle situations like yours and can offer more options than your PCP.
I urge you to get that appointment as soon as possible and go from there.