cervical pain

[nannysmom]

I need help with an MRi report: "reversal of normal lordosis with mild c4-6 disc narrowing and spurring especially at c4-5 level, not appearing to cause significant central or lateral recess stenosis. No superimposed disc herniation. There may be a small hemangioma in T2 body." I am 35 y/o, and have pain in my neck and shoulder, radiating down left arm, numbness, weakness,and I feel like I am being shocked all of the time. I have limited mobility in my neck.I have had these symptoms since a car accident a year ago, I have tried physical therapy, and meds, no relief from anything, PT made pain worse. Is there a surgical solution? My PCP thinks I should wait another year and wont make a referral to another. Thanks very much.

[nannysmom]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I am not overly anxious to have any more surgerys, too many to my name already, but I am in severe pain every single day, and nothing offers me any relief. A year ago I was scheduled for a cervical disc fusion, but the insurance refused to pay, and I had to cancel, now a year later I am at my wits end. This is not my only problem, I have had surgery for a tethered spinal cord, and have disc problems all the way down my spine,I have had pain radiating into my left leg for 20 years, but I can get some relief from that, not from my neck pain though, and if surgery could give me some relief then I would go tomorrow. After dealing with this for a year, and only having it get worse, I am not sure I can take another year, I really don't even want to handle another day. I guess I am just at the end of my rope, but thank you for your time, I appreciate it.

[Kikko]

If you can avoid surgery, do so as long as possible.  Once the cervical spine is disrupted by surgery, you will never feel the same.  But if the Doctor recommends microdiscectomy, that is much safer than a fusion. I hear the results from that are amazing.
I have had a cervical lamenectomy 28 yrs ago, and just 2 years ago, had to have a anterior multi-level fusion.  Now my cervical spine is collapsing forward, and two different doctors told me I would need rods put in the front and back to stabilize the neck.  So, listen to your doctor, and let time heal you if possible.  Good luck and God bless you.   Kikko