Back and neck pain

[awall494]

Spinal fusion 2000.. C4 through C7 No failure  is identified. ACDF plate and screws with intervening cadaver bone spacers.

No forminal compromise identified. There is posterior vertebral bony ridging at central and left paracentral aspects of C6-C7.  

I  have pain in the left arm and hand and the right arm to the elbow , left side of the neck. Also pain on the middle of my back between the shoulder blades.

I do have " sever" nerve compression in the lower back, "some scoliosis".

What to do? Sounds like the Cervical spine is a minor deal...the lower spine does seem to need attention. I'm just trying to find out what needs to be done.

[awall494]

Thank you!!! I appreciate your reply!!

[Dr Sharma]

Hello dear and welcome to the medhelp forum.  The nerve compression in lower / lumbar spine would need a neurosurgeon’s attention depending on the severity of symptoms in the lower back and lower limbs. The posterior vertebral bony ridging at central and left paracentral aspects of C6-C7 could be compressing the exiting nerve root if there was no fusion failure or foraminal compromise.  Consult a neurosurgeon immediately. Best wishes to you.

[ggreg]

I take it the readings you quoted from a radiology report is recent.  Whomever ordered the scan should sit down and talk with you about how your arm pains are related to your spine.  The arms are cervical vertebra nerves, and in between shoulder blades is thoracic spine.  The bony ridging or arthritis that is at C6-7 is the probable source of problems with your arms.  As for your lower spine, only if it hurts should you consider doing anything about it.  Treatment for your arm problems, generally docs want to start with moderate treatment instead of surgery.  Mod treatments includes pain medications, physical therapy, that sort of thing.  If you've got pain in that lower spine, same thing, but since it is described on the scan as severe compression of a nerve, it's possible nerve damage can take place if it's not relieved thru physical therapy, and so surgery is something you should discuss with either your neuro or ortho docs, depending on which one ordered the scan.  Hope this sort of guides you in the right direction.