Herniated c3-c4; c6-c7 treatment options & help with MRI

[S_PATIENT]

Hello (new to forum - thank you in advance).  39 year old Male.  Active.  Computer Software Sales.

I have left arm pain, weakness, numbness for approx 1 month.  

Woke up at night with severe left arm pain as well as pectoral & tricep muscle spasms (thought I was having cardiac symptoms).  Went to FP (who is a DO) diagnosed with cervicalgia.  X-ray showed c3-c4 disease (R>L).  Put on prednisone & Vicoden ES.  (tried Alleve - causing severe heartburn)

2 Weeks later no improvement - MRI ordered & oral prednisone & Vicodin ES refilled.  I experienced SOME relief while on prednisone however once prednisone completed severe pain returned.  Vicoden merely dulls the pain.

MRI shows:  
1. c3-c4 unconvertable joint degeneration, facet disease, posterior osteophyte complex.  Left foramina is normal, Right formaina severe narrowing (however I am experiencing NO RIGHT SIDE PAIN).  
2. C5-C6 Right eccentric disk buldge.
3. C6-C7 unconvertable joint degeneration, facet disease, posterior osteophyte complex. Moderate to Severe LEFT foramina narrowing.  Right foramina normal.

FP referred to Neurosurgeon.  Earliest available appt is 6 weeks out.  Dr said NO chiropractor or physical therapy.  He said he had reservations about cervical epidural due to risks vs benefits.

Current Meds:  Vicoden ES 4 x daily.  Valium 5mg daily.  Prednisone - oral 2 courses - completed (Dr will not refill for obvious reasons).  Cervical Collar at night and while on computer.

Current symptoms - severe left shoulder/upper arm pain.  When I "flex" my neck or tilt my head back symptoms worsen and have difficulty lifting left arm.

Question: (I am nervous for surgery).  Has anyone had a similar diagnosis?  What experiences have you had with Neurosurgeons (will they explore alternatives for Surgery, or just suggest Surgery)?  Has anyone had success with cervical epidurals?  I like my FP very much, but would it be wise to go against his NS referral and seek other options?

thank you again.
S

[Kalvin]

Fortunately for you MRI results don’t always correlate with symptoms. I have a herniation at C3-4 and the symptoms I have from this are pain in the base of my neck, trapezial pain, headaches and unilateral facial tingling and numbness.

Your problem is at C6-7, it correlates exactly with your symptoms, I had a problem at that level too, had it fused 5 years ago.

As far as the Neurosurgeons, unless you have major cord or nerve compression and or incontinence, they will look at alternatives first. I’ve been sent to Therapy by them and they do refer people to have epidurals as well. I’ve never tried them; my primary is dead set against them, but I have heard people say they help.

You might benefit from some gentle Physical Therapy; your Surgeon can make that call. Generally, if you any spinal cord compression, it can be very dangerous, but otherwise, there are some gentle things they can do. No mechanical traction or Chiropractors, I won’t let one touch my neck.

I don’t know what a FP is; but I do know what a D.O. is. You can still go see this surgeon and hear what he has to say, and explore other options at the same time. If you decide to have surgery, you should get another opinion any way. A month is a little early to give up on conservative treatments, because you want to try everything you can before committing to surgery. I had surgery that quick, but I had more serious problems than you do. I’m surprised a D.O. would refer you to a surgeon, they’re usually very anti-surgery.

Take Care

[rebeljean]

they went in and took my c5-c6-c7-out and put a plate in  my pain level has went down alot my movement is limited to my right side but pain is bareable