severe thinning at c5-c6 level

[cheree55]

I was hospitalized several weeks ago due to a minor stroke, since then i have had problems and severe pain in my back and legs where i can't walk without falling (which i have done several times and rushed to the hospital)
when the drs admitted me for the stroke they found that I have degenerative disc disease and severe narrowing of my spinal chord at c5-c6 level. I was in a car accident at the age of 16 which i had broken my neck at the c4-c5 level in the end they had to fuse and wire them to keep them in place.
My question is this: i am scheduled to go to the spinal clinic on tues , do I have to have surgery and what would they have to do to correct this problem?  I stay in extreme pain all the time and have been on pain meds for almost 20 yrs now. cheree55

[PaulMD]

Hi.  I'm sorry to learn that you are in this severe pain.  Indeed, if the pain can be attributed by your doctors and your spine surgeon to the spine abnormalities, then a surgery may indeed be warranted to relieve this pain.  Once you get to meet your spine doctor, make sure the pros and cons of the surgery is explained to you very well, as well as the chances of success.  For now, have adequate rest and avoid too much stress as possible.

Regards.