What is happening to me?

[Neckhurt]

I am a 36year old woman and I have had numbness and shocks in my hands for years.  I have explained this to the doctor and she just monitored the problem.(unsuccessfully, I might add)  About 2 years ago, my neck and back were hurting severely and I attributed the pain to carrying my texts books.  I was going up the stairs and tripped, suddenly the pain shot down my left side (shoulder and arm).  I could not sleep.  I purchased icy hot, advil and sleeping pills and when I awoke the pain was gone.  Well, on February 13 at about 9:30 pm, I was riding home from work and suddenly my neck felt cramped.  On 02/14/08,  I awoke to take an exam and the pain went down my left shoulder and arm.  After the exam,  the pain started to subside, so I attributed the pain to stress.  Later that night, I went out with husband for Valentine's day and we ended the night with intercourse.  The next morning the pain was back but only this time the pain was located on my right, down my shoulder and arm.  I tried everything unsuccessfully until I was forced to go to the emergency room on 02/20/08.  The emergency room prescribed the following medication: valium 5mg, vicadin 10 mg, and ibuprofen 800mg.  The medication just numbed the pain and made me a drugged mess.  When I was not medicated,the pain was still there.  My primary physician sent me to a pain clinic on 02/29/08.  The doctor gave me trigger shots in my neck, back and shoulder.  The shots were immensely painful.  She stated if the pain in my neck remained to call her so a MRI could be scheduled. The pain subsided the next day, however, the aggravating pinch in my neck remained.  I contacted her for the MRI because although I was not in pain, I could still feel something in my next.  It does not always hurt but sometimes it goes beyond aggravating.  I had the MRI scheduled for 04/11/08.  I was given the results and told to see a neuro surgeon before she could proceed with me.  I was given pretty fague answers concerning my problem.  Please help me.  I am scheduling an appointment with a neuro surgeon however I am scared and need answers now.  I am typing the results below.

History: Neck Pain

Comparison:  None

Technique:  MRI of cervical spine was obtained using T1 and T2 sagittal, GRE weighted axial and T1 axial sequences at 4 mm thickness.  STIR weighted sequence was also acquired.

Findings:

The craniocervical junction appears unremarkable and the cerebellar tonsils are above the foxamen magnum.  The vertebral bodies of cervical spine are in good alignment.  no abnormal signal intensity is seen in parenchymal spinal cord in sagittal T2 weighed sequence.  no alteratio in the signal intensity is present in bone marrow.  

Atlantoaxial junction appears unremarkable as seen in the sagittal scans.  

No lesion is seen at C2-3.

There is a small broad-based spur at C3-4 with patent neural foramina bilaterally.  

Similiarly, a broadbased spur is present at C4-5.  Neural formina are patent.

There is left paracentral and uncovertebral junction disc osteophyt complex at C5-6 effacing the subarachnoid space and indenting the spinal cord.  no abnormal signal intensity is visualized in the spinal cord.  Mild left neuroforamen narrowing is noted.

C6-7 and C7-T1 levels are within normal limit.

Impression:

1.  Left paracentral disc osteophyte complex at C5-6 indenting the spinal cord with mild left neuroforamen narrowing.

2.  Mild cervical spondylosis elsewhere in the cervical spine.


I do not understand this.  Am I sort of young for this problem?  What is happening to me?  Please help.  I have pictures, however, I do not have them with me.  Do you want me to send?

Neckhurt
Chicago, IL

[bhups1]

Hi, you can try physiotherapy sesions along with alternative medicine like acupuncture etc, they do help!. In case if these modalities don't work, surgery is the only alternative and best is to go for microdiscectomy.

[Neckhurt]

Thanks, You have answered alot of my questions.
Do you think surgery is avoidable.

[bhups1]

Hi, this is cervical spondylosis, osteophytes or spurs are bony growths which impinge upon related nerve and give symptoms of pain and tingles in hand. Compression of spine could lead to leg weakness too. It is degenerative disease which now a days begin in young age. Treatment includes pain killers, cervical collar, physiotherapy, hot compression etc. Please don’t worry, as this progress slowly over 10-20 years and most of the population is suffering from it.

“Lifestyle modifications (e.g., neck schools, instruction in body mechanics, relaxation techniques, postural awareness, and ergonomics and/or workplace modifications) may alleviate symptoms.

Neck school is a form of small group therapy that provides techniques to patients who are willing to actively work toward recovery. It may be of limited clinical value.

Instruction in body mechanics focuses on low-load concepts. These include avoiding forward bending and rotation of the neck, avoiding prolonged extension of the neck, avoiding prolonged sitting or standing, and selecting the proper chair.

Workplace modifications and ergonomics serve to reduce strenuous neck positions during work and leisure”.

Taken from http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic564.htm