herniated disk in neck

[cndyygr]

is there any treatment besides surgery for herniated disk in neck my mri report reads non contrast-cervical spine demonstrates reversal of the normal curvature of the cervical spine with degenerative disk signal at c4-5,c5-6,and c6-7 and central and left paramedian disk herniation at c4-5. this is a fairly broad-based area of herniation that is about 1 cm in width and about 4mm in maximum ap diameter. this does compress the thecal sac. at c5-6, there is also disk herniation that is central and bilateral paramedian. this also compresses the thecal sac significantly. c6-7 demonstrates disk bulge/protrusion that is central and left paramedian and a little to the right paramedian but primarily to the left. this is not quite as prominent as the other 2 levels but is still abnormal. there is no frank chiari malformation, but the tonsils are borderline low but are felt to be within the realm of normal limits.
my symptoms i have are pain in my neck, shoulders, upper back, hands get real cold,numb,tingle,also have pain in lower back,at times it feels like restless leg syndrom,also jerk and wake myself up as i'm going to sleep,and it feels like i need neck support my head feels heavy to me.

[mb100]

Had ACDF c-4 through c-7 4-04. Have had problems every since. Just found out I have herniation at c-3 c-4,I haven't done any rehab stuff,dumbells or walking for about 2.5 months and symptoms have decreased  in my shoulder and arm. Before it was like it was bein pulled out.It would come on with no warning and would last sometimes for days at a time. The first time was about 3 or 4 weeks into rehab,I think thats when the current disk went, but doc did mri upper thoractic and found nothing.with that and other symptoms he finally ordered another mri in 10-05 that showed the herniation, also fusion is questionable at c-6 c-7, also 2 bottom screws are loose which makes me think the fusion at 6 and 7 was at least bad for a time, might have taken hold since. He ordered a cat scan and says looks like the fusion is probably ok at 6 and 7. Also wants to let the herniation go for now, will this repair itself, or is surgery inevitable? And what about loose screws,cervical not cranial? Any feedback would be appriciated. Quite a few other symptoms,one of which is my hands are still a little numb, so I wont list them. It's a pain to type.    Thanks    Mike

[denise dp]

Hi, I don't know about the screws but the disc can get better . I had  one at L4-L5 that is slightly better, I'll take that as a good sign. You just have to be careful not to do repedative injuries over and over that is wherethe trouble is like ladies keep your heads away from the headboard!! For your neck discs!
God bless

[mb100]

Thanks Denise, It's much better since I stopped doin the workouts.Based on that, I agree with what u said about repetitive motion. Well...I cant claim personal knowledge about the headboard thing! Funny girl. Thanks again and good luck to you.   Mike

[dhflp]

What should person do so as not to make cervical c5-6 disk herniation and mild cord displacement at that level worse?Does large c5-6 herniation with mild cord displacement at that level ever shrink and thus get better without surgery?I read in some magazine that it is desirable to have mild cord displacement.Any truth?

[dmorris91478]

I am trying to find out what to do. 7 months ago i started experiencing slight cramping of my right arm (bicep area). 3months later it turned into total numbness starting at my thumb to my shoulder on my right side. when i do neck rolls to loosen tension i can hear grinding and crunching. my x-rays showed mild degeneration of c-4 to c-7. but my mri showed a massive herniation c-4 to c-5. it is pushing against my spinal cord profusely. on dec. 7 i see the surgeon (dr.winer @aultman in canton ohio). Here's the problem i am told no therapy will help and i need surgery before i am paralyzed in 6 to 9 months as told by doctor. i am only 27 yo and my dr. said she has only seen this in 5 cases of 30 and less in 20 years. i take naprxsen, neurontin, flexeril, vicodin. i can not sleep due to the discomfort of my arm unless i have the meds and if i sit still for 10 mins or longer i get pain like pins and needles in my arm and hand. i am scarred of the surgery. should i be? any feed back would ease this husband and father. PLEASE!!!!!!

[mb100]

hey Morris, Read the docs answer at the top of this page to cndyygr. My comment above will explain my condition. My neuro told me when first examined esentially the same thing. Be aware, the longer you wait to have this corrected the better the chance of the symptoms being permanent, the hand/arm pain. Doc also said 95% of the nerve/neuro problems will be relieved immediately after the surgery (decompression of the nerves affected) the other 5% of the recovery will occur within one year. I've found this to be true in my experience, although I've had other complications. When I went for the surgery(three months after my accident) I had a hard time walking, my right leg was like shutting down. My hands were both numb, sometimes my right hand would take about 5 seconds to close,very scary and annoying. Also my neck was crunching and somtimes had a mushy feeling in it when I turned my head, kinda like you. Some of these symptoms would come and go as well, so the whole thing was pretty bewildering. Listen to your doc, get a second opinion, cruise this site and others and find out as much as you can about this problem. I wish I would have sooner. I wish you the best man, your a young guy and got alot of livin ahead.Take care of yourself.   Mike