Cervical Spondylosis

[Leow2478]

To Dr.
I had been suffering neck stiffness, pain at left shoulder and hand and numbness since 2007. I had been diagnosed with cervical spondylosis at C5-C6 and C6-C7.
My age is 30 , male from Malaysia.
I had visited neurosurgeon and orthosurgeon in M'sia and they recommended me for surgery by removing the damaged disc and putting in an artificial disc with some titanium plates and bolts to my cervical bones which I'm not convinced at all.
I had gone thru weeks of physiotherapy with neck traction, heat pack and neck muscle strengthening as well but it gave little help.
Is there any treatment besides spine surgery which has less risk and more effective in todays' medical technology?
I heard about Laser Spine and,Minimal Invasive Treatment which can fix my problem. I just wonder is this treatment is appropriate to my spine problem?
Below is my written report of my MRI on 30/10/2008.
FINDINGS:
Loss of normal cervical lordosis may be due to spasm.
There are minimal osteophytes present in the lower cervical spine.
Loss of normal signal intensity of the C5-C6 and C6-C7 discs.
There is a mild disc herniation present at the C5-C6 level narrowing the exit foramina bilaterally but not causing nerve root.
At the C6-C7 level, there is a left disc osteophyte complex marginally narrowing the left ext foramen and causing mild impingement of the exiting nerve root,
The rest of the disc spaces are normal.
There is no central spinal stenosis noted at the cervical spine. The cervical cord is normal in size and appearance with no changes of myelopathy. Normal cranio-cervical junction noted.
IMPRESSION:
Mild disc herniation at C5-C6 narrowing both exit foraminae not causing nerve root impingement.
Left disc osteophyte complex at the C6-C7 level, narrowing the left exit foramen with mild disc impingement of the left exiting nerve root.

I hope that there are doctors able to give some advice for my problem above.
Thank you

[Rogann]

Hello,  Not to say surgery is bad but ensure that you get a good dr. and that your bones are strong. I have had 2 different surgery's on c6 and c7 and neither one of them has fused together. They now want to do a 3rd surgery. They cant give me a reason why the first 2 did not fuse together. Good luck.

[karen1124]

You need to have the surgery... make sure that it is done by a neurosurgeon with a good reputation.   I had my first surgery five years ago at C5/6.  About a year and a half ago I developed more problems at C4/5 and C6/7.  I tried to relieve the pain and numbness with other conservative treatments.  It didn't work and I was tired of the chronic pain... so I just had surgery seven weeks ago.  I feel great and have my life back again.  Don't wait too long as you can develop permanent nerve damage.  

Good luck!

[richmill1]

you need the surgery..it's actually pretty routine..I had c5-7 fused..feel great..get your life back..if you lose muscle it's difficult to regain..don't let fear govern your life..
I am a 57 yr old active male..good luck

[selmaS]

Hi...the drs vist this forum when they have a chance.....this is a support forum....people like ur self....if u want to share with us.....leave out the dr.....if u want a dr try the expert forum.

We will be here for support if u so choose!!

Godspeed
"selma"