[Pache1007]

Ever since I fell 4 years ago, I have had 2 surgeries on my shoulder - debridement and Bankart repair. I continue to have severe pain down the back of my neck and across the back of both of my shoulders, along with a constant headache in the back of my head. I have had 6 cortizone injections and have been put on many, many different medications. Finally they sent me to the spine center. I have had x-rays and an MRI. This is what was found:

1. Deep tendon reflexes are diminished in the upper extremities and 1/4 at knee and ankle.
2. I have a relative loss of my cervical lordosis and some spondylosis with anterior spurring at c5-6 and c6-7.
3. The disk height at c5-6 is reasonably well mainaained, but is definitely narrowed at the c6-7 level
4. Disc osteophyte with small central protrusions at c5-c6 and c6-7, they do not encroach the canal
5. There is evidence f some osteophyte in the region of the foramina bilaterally, most particularly at c6-c7.

I cannot seem to get my doctor to return my call and am confused about the meaning of all of this.

[Koala77]

Hi Pache, and welcome to NeuroTalk.

I'm sorry to hear about the troubles that you've been having. You didn't mention if your doctor is a GP, or an Orthopedic specialist. I was wondering because if it is your local doctor who's putting you off, maybe you need to make another appointment to question him/her (nicely) about your results.

Considering the fact that you have cervical involvement, you may even consider asking for a referral to see a neurologist. Just my opinion.

Here a few links to get you started on the board where you might get better advice.....

Here's the link to our Spinal Disorders Forum : http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

This one is the link to our Chronic Pain Forum: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum10.html

I hope this is of some assistance for you.

[Jomar]

Originally Posted by Pache1007

Ever since I fell 4 years ago, I have had 2 surgeries on my shoulder - debridement and Bankart repair. I continue to have severe pain down the back of my neck and across the back of both of my shoulders, along with a constant headache in the back of my head. I have had 6 cortizone injections and have been put on many, many different medications. Finally they sent me to the spine center. I have had x-rays and an MRI. This is what was found:

1. Deep tendon reflexes are diminished in the upper extremities and 1/4 at knee and ankle.
2. I have a relative loss of my cervical lordosis and some spondylosis with anterior spurring at c5-6 and c6-7.
3. The disk height at c5-6 is reasonably well mainaained, but is definitely narrowed at the c6-7 level
4. Disc osteophyte with small central protrusions at c5-c6 and c6-7, they do not encroach the canal
5. There is evidence f some osteophyte in the region of the foramina bilaterally, most particularly at c6-c7.

I cannot seem to get my doctor to return my call and am confused about the meaning of all of this.

what kind of fall , what happened?
I'm asking mainly to find out how you landed or hit.

Some of the symptoms you describe almost sound like it could be Thoracic Outlet Syndrome {TOS} or a brachial stretch injury of some sort.
Do you have any hand or arm pain? swelling with arm use?

here's a link to our TOS forum useful sticky thread -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html
{tons of links and info and therapies - some of the treatments would most likely be helpful for any spasms, trigger points or tight muscles}

[Kitty]

Hi Pache and welcome to NeuroTalk! I hope you get some answers to your questions and some relief from your pain.

[AfterMyNap]

Hi, Pache! Welcome to NeuroTalk!

I agree that a second opinion from a neurologist may be in order. This sounds like more than a basic owie and you obviously need help to get this under control. I hope you'll find some answers soon.

[DM]

Hello Pache and Welcome to Neurotalk. Glad you found us, so please let us know if we can be of further help.

[Idealist]

I would agree that with the nature of your injury and the widespread lingering pain, you should definitely see a neurologist to check for nerve damage. There are times when nerve damage can keep on spreading in a kind of chain-reaction even if the original cause of it is healed or repaired.

I hope you find some answers, Pache. Good luck and best wishes to you.