Quote:
Originally Posted by nospam
I had cervical fusion (ACDF) C5-C6-C7 surgery 2/28/2011 which relieved some of my symptoms but many of my TrPs came right back. I was determined to get better so I started going to physical therapy 3-4 times a week and massage therapy 1-2 times a week. It took me a while before I realized that the stretches and strengthening exercises from PT were making me worse. I also noticed that driving exacerbated my symptoms as did computer work. I stopped going to PT completely. I informed my job that I could no perform and started on disability.
I continued seeing my chiro for ART, Graston, cuppping, and TENS/Ultrasound combo as well as a massage therapist for neuromuscular therapy. I also purchased a TENS/Ultrasound combo unit for use at home. I was able to eliminate most of my TrPs without them returning. It was only then that the subtle signs of neurogenic and vascular TOS became obvious and I sought out the proper medical specialists.
I was able to retrain myself to drive and type by keeping my elbows at my side (while wearing the IntelleSkin garment) to prevent exacerbation of the TOS symptoms.
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I also have C5-6 disc degeneration,stenosis and osteophytes,but all of the TOS dr's have told me that my pain is probably not coming from the disc. I was treating the disc for 8 months with pt,chiro and acupucture b4 I got the TOS diagnosis, but I still wonder if some of my symptoms could be coming from the disc.I had surgical consultants with 3 neurosurgeons who were ready to do surgery on me.Two recommended posterier disectomy and one recomended fusion.But they all said my disc bulge was not that bad and that most people at my age have it. I dropped the idea of it after I got the TOS diagnosis.
If you knew about TOS would you still have done the fusion? How do you tell if the pain is coming from the disc or the brachial plexus?