C5-C6 of a normal cervical spine

[mahe_vanga]

I am  27 yrs , Female, profession, teacher. My symptoms are: 1) Pain and bulge in left shoulder and just side to the the neck.
2) Total pulling pain in left hand. Severe pain will be there when left hand is lifted.

Now I have query, I have consulted the doctors, after taking MRI scan they may doubt there could be  Enjury in C5-C6 of a normal cervical spine. They suggested to take CT scan. and hinted me I may required to go for surgery.  
1)Did this surgery will be very critical?
2)Some thing dangerous?
3) how many days it will take to cure?

[SilverLining00]

Hi -
I had cervical fusion of C5-6-7 12 years ago.  My symptoms were pain in right upper arm, muscle weakness/atrophy, mild incontinence.  It wasn't going to get better by itself.  Post surgery, aside from the feelings of having the fingers of my left hand having been slammed in a car door (residual sensitivity still exists), my right arm pain and all other problems were resolved.  It took time to build that arm back up, but I'm glad I did it.  I've read that there are now prosthetic disks which would allow the patient to retain movement.  I wish they had that when I had my surgery.  Best of luck!

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Please do not worry too much about surgery failures. You may have two or three failures. But there are many more who are successful and go unnoticed !! You have to conquer the initial fear.

I hope you get the best treatment at the hospital.

Regards

[mahe_vanga]

Thanks Doctor!

Doctor suggested me immediate CT scan, but I am afraid of surgery because I have seen couple of failed cases in my relatives (but for them it is in L4-L5 section). I am planning to have CT scan in next month.  And definately let you know the CT scan results.

Regards

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

The doctors have not confirmed that you will definitely need surgery. Get the CT scan done and then you may discuss the option of surgery.

If one of the discs has protruded and is pressing on the spinal cord or the nerve roots, surgery is a good option.

The surgery will not be a major surgery, but you will take some weeks to recover from it. Please keep me posted about the CT scan results.

When do have the CT scan appointment ?

Regards