Aa
cervical herniated disk
I injured my back in May 2009 and it wasn't until Sept 2009 that I had a MRI that showed minimal disk bulges at c4/c5 & c6/c7 both contacting sac but a broad based buldge at c5/c6 more on left side with bone spur at the same level. I saw a orthopedic surgon in Sept he said a surgical referal was my only option. Still waiting to see the neuro surgon. I attend PT 3 times a wk but the therapist has said I need medical intervention.
My concern is: I have terrible pain at the base of my neck. sharp stabing/ pinching pain worse if I try to look up or down. I can only be out and walking around for under an hour before the pain from holding my head up and trying not to look down gets unbearable. I have had intermiten sharp crippling pain under my left shoulder blade worse with movement or use of the left arm. This pain is now appearing under my right shoulder blade, not as often but with use of my right arm the times the pain is present increases. I have had some lose of strength in my upper left arm and with use it feels like it goes to sleep. that same feeling runs along my back following the left shoulder blade with any activity including walking. I get pain radiating down my left arm from my shoulder and my left hand seems to sweat constantly.
My concern is that my legs are starting to feel 'odd' they are weekening especially the left leg. When I straight leg lift both legs my left is about 4 to 6 inched lower. It drags when I'm out for more than an hour and the pain in my upper back and neck gets to the point that I can't bear it. I also get a 'feeling' at my hips similar to the feeling I get in my upper back. I can't explian it but it brings neasea that seems to come from the pain area not my stomach? Can this be related? My therapist says that my neck injury can not be the cause of my leg issue but I never had a problem until I hurt my back and there is only an issue when my neck pain is at it's worst.
My concern is: I have terrible pain at the base of my neck. sharp stabing/ pinching pain worse if I try to look up or down. I can only be out and walking around for under an hour before the pain from holding my head up and trying not to look down gets unbearable. I have had intermiten sharp crippling pain under my left shoulder blade worse with movement or use of the left arm. This pain is now appearing under my right shoulder blade, not as often but with use of my right arm the times the pain is present increases. I have had some lose of strength in my upper left arm and with use it feels like it goes to sleep. that same feeling runs along my back following the left shoulder blade with any activity including walking. I get pain radiating down my left arm from my shoulder and my left hand seems to sweat constantly.
My concern is that my legs are starting to feel 'odd' they are weekening especially the left leg. When I straight leg lift both legs my left is about 4 to 6 inched lower. It drags when I'm out for more than an hour and the pain in my upper back and neck gets to the point that I can't bear it. I also get a 'feeling' at my hips similar to the feeling I get in my upper back. I can't explian it but it brings neasea that seems to come from the pain area not my stomach? Can this be related? My therapist says that my neck injury can not be the cause of my leg issue but I never had a problem until I hurt my back and there is only an issue when my neck pain is at it's worst.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Lisa,
Many thanks for posting the question through my forum.
First of all, when a disc is involved in causing pain,numbness,weakness of the limbs, then cervical disc will cause effects in the upper limbs where as the lumbar discs will cause pain in the lower limbs.What i meant was that due to problem at C4-C5 and C6-C7, it will involve hands and few fingers.However it will never involve the legs.
I would suggest you to get a Lumbar spine MRI also, to rule out disc involvement at the lower back (Lumbar) level also.And since, as per your post, it seems that you are having weakness also, so it causes more alarm.So would strongly suggest you for MRI Lumbar spine.
I will tell you about the basic protocol of treatment -
1) Cervical spine pain/numbness needs to be managed with physiotherapy,pain medications and lifestyle modification for 6 weeks continuously. In case of failure of the management, we need to treat with Surgery.
2) Lumbar spine pain/Numbness needs 6 months of conservative management.In case of failure of it, would result into surgery.
It was a good advice by your treating doctor to have Neuro opinion.
So we will have to wait till his advice.
I hope you have a collar for the neck pain.
Feel free to post more, in case of any doubts.
Regards
Many thanks for posting the question through my forum.
First of all, when a disc is involved in causing pain,numbness,weakness of the limbs, then cervical disc will cause effects in the upper limbs where as the lumbar discs will cause pain in the lower limbs.What i meant was that due to problem at C4-C5 and C6-C7, it will involve hands and few fingers.However it will never involve the legs.
I would suggest you to get a Lumbar spine MRI also, to rule out disc involvement at the lower back (Lumbar) level also.And since, as per your post, it seems that you are having weakness also, so it causes more alarm.So would strongly suggest you for MRI Lumbar spine.
I will tell you about the basic protocol of treatment -
1) Cervical spine pain/numbness needs to be managed with physiotherapy,pain medications and lifestyle modification for 6 weeks continuously. In case of failure of the management, we need to treat with Surgery.
2) Lumbar spine pain/Numbness needs 6 months of conservative management.In case of failure of it, would result into surgery.
It was a good advice by your treating doctor to have Neuro opinion.
So we will have to wait till his advice.
I hope you have a collar for the neck pain.
Feel free to post more, in case of any doubts.
Regards
I have had similar problems in the last year. Some with pain and some without. Tell your doctor about every symptom, no matter how silly or strange it seems to you. It will make sense to your neurosurgeon. I spent more than 6 months trying to rehab from a hip and knee replacement and was making not nearly enough progress with balance and strength when a visit to a neurosurgeon for some cranky lower back pain and an MRi showed SEVERE cervical impingement on my spinal cord! I had no pain at all in my neck so if I'd not gone in for the lower back pain I wouldn't be writing to you today. It was that bad. So tell your doc everything!
Thanks again. I just saw the report. It says that the bone spurs are my biggest problem and have caused disc degeneration at c5/c6. I had an on the job injury that herniated my c5/c6 disc and the bone spurs came later. LOL He did say that surgery would relieve most of my pain but he was unsure if all my symptoms were coming from c5/c6.
My Doctor changed my meds from straight pain killers to cyclobenzaprine (musle relaxer that I'm told stops the pain messages going to the brain) and Diclofenac sodium for the arthritis pain. Time will tell. I'll give this a try and hope that it can releive even some of the pain.
This all started when I tried to move a 250 lb+ box at work and landed me in the emergency room. If I can find a way to control the pain and get back to work I'm all for it. Even if it's surgery. 8 more weeks won't be bad if the meds work but to add to the complication my family Doctor quit family medicine and I need to find a new doctor that will take me on with an ongoing work related injury. I guess it keeps me on my toes. LOL
My Doctor changed my meds from straight pain killers to cyclobenzaprine (musle relaxer that I'm told stops the pain messages going to the brain) and Diclofenac sodium for the arthritis pain. Time will tell. I'll give this a try and hope that it can releive even some of the pain.
This all started when I tried to move a 250 lb+ box at work and landed me in the emergency room. If I can find a way to control the pain and get back to work I'm all for it. Even if it's surgery. 8 more weeks won't be bad if the meds work but to add to the complication my family Doctor quit family medicine and I need to find a new doctor that will take me on with an ongoing work related injury. I guess it keeps me on my toes. LOL
I can understand your total confusion. Get a second opinion. I did and it was the best thing I did. The first neurosurgeon I saw proposed to do a very radical surgery that was extremely dangerous. I also didn't trust him one bit. I went straight home and called the only other neurosurgeon in our town and made the appt for a second opinion. Fortunately, I liked him and his advice made good sense to me. I also found out that my orthopedic surgeons used him for themselves. Enough said. However, I was ready to leave town if necessary to go to a university teaching hospital. I would advise you to do the same thing and not wait 8 weeks to do it. You're in pain. Your condition is getting worse. That's not a reason to wait. You probably will need surgery and I can tell you that fusion from the front is not bad at at all. I had no pain in the neck at all. I did have a sore throat that was similar to having tonsils out! Please find the best doctor you can find quickly and get the help you deserve! My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you begin your search to get well.
OK saw the neurosurgon today and I'm more confused than ever.
He looked at my MRI showed me a 'broad based herniation at c5/c6" and large bone spurs that appeared to be pushing toward my spine. He poked me with a saftey pin and it didn't feel sharp on either hand only on my left forearm. He commented on my left leg asking me repeatedly to relax it but I explained that is how it is 'thick feeling' same as the left side of my back and upper left arm.
He noticed a red 'rash' mnore like blotches only on the left side of my chest. He pointed it out to my husband but only said "interesting'
He called a neurologist over pointing out my left eye and a droop but my pupils were equally reactive. When I asked he only said interesting.
When we were done he said that if the problem was only on the one side he would be quite sure he could help but as it stands he sees no releif from the pain without surgery and doesn't know if surgery will help or make it worse.
Come back in 8 week. That's it. No new tests, no recomendations for pain relief, just keep doing physio and come back. Think about surgery.
I don't understand?
He looked at my MRI showed me a 'broad based herniation at c5/c6" and large bone spurs that appeared to be pushing toward my spine. He poked me with a saftey pin and it didn't feel sharp on either hand only on my left forearm. He commented on my left leg asking me repeatedly to relax it but I explained that is how it is 'thick feeling' same as the left side of my back and upper left arm.
He noticed a red 'rash' mnore like blotches only on the left side of my chest. He pointed it out to my husband but only said "interesting'
He called a neurologist over pointing out my left eye and a droop but my pupils were equally reactive. When I asked he only said interesting.
When we were done he said that if the problem was only on the one side he would be quite sure he could help but as it stands he sees no releif from the pain without surgery and doesn't know if surgery will help or make it worse.
Come back in 8 week. That's it. No new tests, no recomendations for pain relief, just keep doing physio and come back. Think about surgery.
I don't understand?
Thank you for your input. I have several symptoms that my physio tells me can't be my neck like:
Trouble walking (not dissiness but more like unsure exactly where everything is)
pain in both my left and right upper back areas
pain in my neck, upper back and left arm like electrical shocks
My left arm and leg feels like there are weights on them and my right arm has pins and needles. I can't lift either very much
My arm stops below the shoulder and it is hard to walk without draging my left leg.
Bowel issues (constipation but when I do go I have no control)
A constant crushing feeling across my upper chest area it's like I'm getting a bear hug and the persons fist is pushing through from the back.
This makes it hard to breathe at some points I get winded easily
Sweating of the left hand and now some independent sewating of the right hand
My left middle finger 'sticks' to my ring finger and unless I make it move seperately it doesn't.
I get a numbness that runs up the left side of my neck into my face (always stops at the corner of the eye and never moves forward beyond the corner of the mouth)
The numbeness (thick feeling) runs down my back and stops about the end of my ribs it was mostly on the left but is starting on the right side.
Constant pain drops me to my knees on occasion.
Burning that spread from a small patch along the spine to my entire upper back.
As you can see this is a lot from a neck injury. My physio tells me that the issues with my legs and bowel can't be from my neck nor can the issues in my face.
I was told I have minor bulging at C4 /C5 broad based herniation at c5/c6 and minor bulging at c6/c7. My lumbar MRI showed degeneration and several minor bulges but nothing abnormal.
All these symptoms started with the accident. I just didn't want to waste the Specialists time with unrelated issues. When the accident happened my entire body 'shook' on the inside (pins and needles everywhere) I couldn't walk a straight line I wasn't dissy but it can best be described as feeling like I had been drinking. THe legs where not where I thought they where when I stepped on them.
Thanks again for sharing your story. I guess telling him everything if he will listen is best.
Trouble walking (not dissiness but more like unsure exactly where everything is)
pain in both my left and right upper back areas
pain in my neck, upper back and left arm like electrical shocks
My left arm and leg feels like there are weights on them and my right arm has pins and needles. I can't lift either very much
My arm stops below the shoulder and it is hard to walk without draging my left leg.
Bowel issues (constipation but when I do go I have no control)
A constant crushing feeling across my upper chest area it's like I'm getting a bear hug and the persons fist is pushing through from the back.
This makes it hard to breathe at some points I get winded easily
Sweating of the left hand and now some independent sewating of the right hand
My left middle finger 'sticks' to my ring finger and unless I make it move seperately it doesn't.
I get a numbness that runs up the left side of my neck into my face (always stops at the corner of the eye and never moves forward beyond the corner of the mouth)
The numbeness (thick feeling) runs down my back and stops about the end of my ribs it was mostly on the left but is starting on the right side.
Constant pain drops me to my knees on occasion.
Burning that spread from a small patch along the spine to my entire upper back.
As you can see this is a lot from a neck injury. My physio tells me that the issues with my legs and bowel can't be from my neck nor can the issues in my face.
I was told I have minor bulging at C4 /C5 broad based herniation at c5/c6 and minor bulging at c6/c7. My lumbar MRI showed degeneration and several minor bulges but nothing abnormal.
All these symptoms started with the accident. I just didn't want to waste the Specialists time with unrelated issues. When the accident happened my entire body 'shook' on the inside (pins and needles everywhere) I couldn't walk a straight line I wasn't dissy but it can best be described as feeling like I had been drinking. THe legs where not where I thought they where when I stepped on them.
Thanks again for sharing your story. I guess telling him everything if he will listen is best.
Sorry to be a bother but I have another question about my neck injury.
My left hand sweats so much. More when by neck hurts but it's getting more common even when I'm resting. My right hand stays dry but my left gets wet, a bit swollen and in some cases my finger tips turn red.
Is this normal?
My left hand sweats so much. More when by neck hurts but it's getting more common even when I'm resting. My right hand stays dry but my left gets wet, a bit swollen and in some cases my finger tips turn red.
Is this normal?
Thank you for your reply. I have had a Lumbar MRI it showed degeneration and several minor bulges but nothing of significance. This was done last September with the Cervical MRI. I didn't have the leg weekend and tingling then so I thought it was all related.
It has been 7 months since the injury and I've been doing Physio 3 days a week from the begining with no improvement. I haven't been given a collar but can get one at the pharmacy if you think it would help the pain. I can't go out for over an hour before the pain is crippling. I've only been given Robexasol c 1/2 and Oxycoden for the pain and neither work anymore. My husband has moved everything in the house up so I don't have to look down at all. He raised the TV, clocks, dining room table, counters and such. I still hurt at home but it's better than going out. He even set up a sleeping place for me so that my head is supported in a comfortable position at all times. I've been taken off work for the last 3 months as my job was truck unloader/ stock person.
My appointment with the Neuro is 1 week away so I'll just wait. I'm trying to figure out what is important to tell him and not waste his time. I don't want a temperary fix because I can't bear going through this pain and loss of work again. I'm 43 and think it would be easier to recover now.
Thanks again.
Lisa
It has been 7 months since the injury and I've been doing Physio 3 days a week from the begining with no improvement. I haven't been given a collar but can get one at the pharmacy if you think it would help the pain. I can't go out for over an hour before the pain is crippling. I've only been given Robexasol c 1/2 and Oxycoden for the pain and neither work anymore. My husband has moved everything in the house up so I don't have to look down at all. He raised the TV, clocks, dining room table, counters and such. I still hurt at home but it's better than going out. He even set up a sleeping place for me so that my head is supported in a comfortable position at all times. I've been taken off work for the last 3 months as my job was truck unloader/ stock person.
My appointment with the Neuro is 1 week away so I'll just wait. I'm trying to figure out what is important to tell him and not waste his time. I don't want a temperary fix because I can't bear going through this pain and loss of work again. I'm 43 and think it would be easier to recover now.
Thanks again.
Lisa
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