Aa
surgery
I injured my upper back about 1 year ago moving a 250+lb box. Formal diagnosis was thoracic strain, herniated disc at c5/c6 with bulging at c4/c5 and c6/c7, formation of bone spurs at c5/c6 and forminal stenosis on the left side again at c5/c6.
I have 3 primary areas of symptoms:
1. I get crippling pain in my upper back at the base of my neck, Strong burning and pinching in that area. Limited mobility of the neck including not being able to look down.
2. I get sharp pain under my left shoulder blade that runs into my left arm through to my last 2 fingers. It is also associated with a significant sweating of my left hand and a numbness and heavy feeling in my left arm..
3.Finally the left side of my upper back has a thick asleep feeling and severe pain and muscle cramps.
I'm taking Cylobenzapine 3 times daily, Diclofenac SR 75mg 2 times daily, Tramecet 3 times daily and just started Ralivia once daily today. I've tried tylenol #2 and #3, Robaxicil c 1/2, Perceset, oxycodone all with little to no relief.
I attend Physio 3 time a week for heat and tens and he tries to release muscles with applied pressure.
I can only stand for about 1 hour before the pain is unbearable.
My doctor, Neurosurgeon and orthosurgen have said surgery is my only option and they feel that it most likely will not help my neck pain. The hope is to releive the shoulder and arm pain and perhaps the muscles will relax.
1. What do you think my chances are that my sever neck pain will reduce and my mobility will return?
2. Is there something I can take for the pain? I don't want any narcotics as I can't function.
3. What is the general recovery time for returning to work? I've been of since October, I unload truck and stock shelves for a living.
4. 2 weeks ago, My surgeon recommended continue physio but today it caused so much pain that my GP said to stop physio until after surgery. Should I stop for a while?
Thank you
I have 3 primary areas of symptoms:
1. I get crippling pain in my upper back at the base of my neck, Strong burning and pinching in that area. Limited mobility of the neck including not being able to look down.
2. I get sharp pain under my left shoulder blade that runs into my left arm through to my last 2 fingers. It is also associated with a significant sweating of my left hand and a numbness and heavy feeling in my left arm..
3.Finally the left side of my upper back has a thick asleep feeling and severe pain and muscle cramps.
I'm taking Cylobenzapine 3 times daily, Diclofenac SR 75mg 2 times daily, Tramecet 3 times daily and just started Ralivia once daily today. I've tried tylenol #2 and #3, Robaxicil c 1/2, Perceset, oxycodone all with little to no relief.
I attend Physio 3 time a week for heat and tens and he tries to release muscles with applied pressure.
I can only stand for about 1 hour before the pain is unbearable.
My doctor, Neurosurgeon and orthosurgen have said surgery is my only option and they feel that it most likely will not help my neck pain. The hope is to releive the shoulder and arm pain and perhaps the muscles will relax.
1. What do you think my chances are that my sever neck pain will reduce and my mobility will return?
2. Is there something I can take for the pain? I don't want any narcotics as I can't function.
3. What is the general recovery time for returning to work? I've been of since October, I unload truck and stock shelves for a living.
4. 2 weeks ago, My surgeon recommended continue physio but today it caused so much pain that my GP said to stop physio until after surgery. Should I stop for a while?
Thank you
Well I've had the surgery. It's been two days and much of the pain in my left shoulder and arm is better. There is some improvement in the burning and pain at the base of the neck but as I support my head for any length of time the pain grows.
New issues that I'm not sure are normal.
1. the front of my neck from the jaw line down to the collar bone and from my right ear over the insision to just past the center of my neck about half way to my left ear is numb. I can't feel anything when someone else touches the area. some feeling at the outer edge of the area.
2. Horrible pain now in my right shoulder joint. Comes on anytime I'm sitting up and have to support my head.
3. My reflexes in both arms arm a bit slow. They move but with a slight delay. Pain increases in both arms with movement.
4. my head sits with a slight tilt to the right (ear towards shoulder) I can't straighten it up.
still little ability to turn my head left right up or down. I don't have the pain that prevented it before but the movement just stops. shrug
asleep feeling down the left shoulde blade is better but there is still muscle tightness there.
will any of this get better?
Thanks
New issues that I'm not sure are normal.
1. the front of my neck from the jaw line down to the collar bone and from my right ear over the insision to just past the center of my neck about half way to my left ear is numb. I can't feel anything when someone else touches the area. some feeling at the outer edge of the area.
2. Horrible pain now in my right shoulder joint. Comes on anytime I'm sitting up and have to support my head.
3. My reflexes in both arms arm a bit slow. They move but with a slight delay. Pain increases in both arms with movement.
4. my head sits with a slight tilt to the right (ear towards shoulder) I can't straighten it up.
still little ability to turn my head left right up or down. I don't have the pain that prevented it before but the movement just stops. shrug
asleep feeling down the left shoulde blade is better but there is still muscle tightness there.
will any of this get better?
Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Great.
I will wait.
All the best for the surgery
I will wait.
All the best for the surgery
Thank you for your response. Due to the severity of the pain my surgery has been scheduled for April 27th, 2010. 2 weeks from now.
I am concerned about the recovery time and if this will help my neck pain. The surgon isn't sure it will help my neck pain and back muscle spasms but only time will tell. He is sure it will help my shoulder and arm pain and numbness but beyond that it's 50/50.
I'll let you know.
I am concerned about the recovery time and if this will help my neck pain. The surgon isn't sure it will help my neck pain and back muscle spasms but only time will tell. He is sure it will help my shoulder and arm pain and numbness but beyond that it's 50/50.
I'll let you know.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Friend,
Please find my answers -
1. What do you think my chances are that my sever neck pain will reduce and my mobility will return?
The normal dictum is that if the physiotherapy fails, if continued for 6 months, then surgery is the preferred option.
2. Is there something I can take for the pain? I don't want any narcotics as I can't function.
You are already on many medications, and hence would not advice to go for more. Too much dependence is risky. The cause of the pain needs to be resolved.
3. What is the general recovery time for returning to work? I've been of since October, I unload truck and stock shelves for a living.
Since you are into heavy work, i would suggest you to opt for surgery rather than continuing the physiotherapy as physiotherapy will fail....due to your work load.
4. 2 weeks ago, My surgeon recommended continue physio but today it caused so much pain that my GP said to stop physio until after surgery. Should I stop for a while?
Yes, please don't do physiotherapy, when the pain is severe, as it will cause more spasm in the muscles.
Considering your profession and MRI reports, surgery would be a better option.
Regards...
Feel free to discuss more..
Please find my answers -
1. What do you think my chances are that my sever neck pain will reduce and my mobility will return?
The normal dictum is that if the physiotherapy fails, if continued for 6 months, then surgery is the preferred option.
2. Is there something I can take for the pain? I don't want any narcotics as I can't function.
You are already on many medications, and hence would not advice to go for more. Too much dependence is risky. The cause of the pain needs to be resolved.
3. What is the general recovery time for returning to work? I've been of since October, I unload truck and stock shelves for a living.
Since you are into heavy work, i would suggest you to opt for surgery rather than continuing the physiotherapy as physiotherapy will fail....due to your work load.
4. 2 weeks ago, My surgeon recommended continue physio but today it caused so much pain that my GP said to stop physio until after surgery. Should I stop for a while?
Yes, please don't do physiotherapy, when the pain is severe, as it will cause more spasm in the muscles.
Considering your profession and MRI reports, surgery would be a better option.
Regards...
Feel free to discuss more..
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Friend,
Please find my answers -
1. What do you think my chances are that my sever neck pain will reduce and my mobility will return?
The normal dictum is that if the physiotherapy fails, if continued for 6 months, then surgery is the preferred option.
2. Is there something I can take for the pain? I don't want any narcotics as I can't function.
You are already on many medications, and hence would not advice to go for more. Too much dependence is risky. The cause of the pain needs to be resolved.
3. What is the general recovery time for returning to work? I've been of since October, I unload truck and stock shelves for a living.
Since you are into heavy work, i would suggest you to opt for surgery rather than continuing the physiotherapy as physiotherapy will fail....due to your work load.
4. 2 weeks ago, My surgeon recommended continue physio but today it caused so much pain that my GP said to stop physio until after surgery. Should I stop for a while?
Yes, please don't do physiotherapy, when the pain is severe, as it will cause more spasm in the muscles.
Considering your profession and MRI reports, surgery would be a better option.
Regards...
Feel free to discuss more..
Please find my answers -
1. What do you think my chances are that my sever neck pain will reduce and my mobility will return?
The normal dictum is that if the physiotherapy fails, if continued for 6 months, then surgery is the preferred option.
2. Is there something I can take for the pain? I don't want any narcotics as I can't function.
You are already on many medications, and hence would not advice to go for more. Too much dependence is risky. The cause of the pain needs to be resolved.
3. What is the general recovery time for returning to work? I've been of since October, I unload truck and stock shelves for a living.
Since you are into heavy work, i would suggest you to opt for surgery rather than continuing the physiotherapy as physiotherapy will fail....due to your work load.
4. 2 weeks ago, My surgeon recommended continue physio but today it caused so much pain that my GP said to stop physio until after surgery. Should I stop for a while?
Yes, please don't do physiotherapy, when the pain is severe, as it will cause more spasm in the muscles.
Considering your profession and MRI reports, surgery would be a better option.
Regards...
Feel free to discuss more..
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