Doctor has confirmed that I had a neck injury
 

Just got back from a spinal doctor today. Those of you who have followed my little adventure, I suspected that I had a neck injury after reading about Sidney Crosbey and his recovery. After doing some neck exercises, I experienced some relief, but then a return in symptoms. Today, the doctor confirmed that I have a herniated C3, and then something else that I don't remember the name of, but basically meant that another vertebrate wasn't seated correctly. He said that my symptoms, tingling in left arm, cognitive problems, mental exhaustion, sleep problems, could certainly be explained by this diagnosis.

Starting PT soon! Feels great to finally have a diagnosis, and to know I'm not crazy.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... if you are having the aforementioned problems, be sure to have a neck injury investigated as a possible cause by a trained specialist. I self-diagnosed and tried to treat it on my own, which didn't work very well ;) Good to now be in the hands of professionals, and hopefully getting better very soon!

Here's the exact diagnosis:

-facet dysfunction at Right C3 level
-radiculitis (pinched nerve) on the Left - tough to tell what level - C6, 7, or 8 nerve root.

Getting an MRI on Monday to confirm location of pinched nerve. "Facet dysfunction," I believe, means herniation, which is how he described it to me.

Never thought I'd be so happy to get such bad news, haha.

Facet dysfunction is likely referring to the cartilage lined joints that allow the vertebra to move. Think of a saucer stacked on top of another saucer. The concave surface of the first saucer receives the convex shape of the second saucer. This creates a mating of the two surfaces that is moveable. The cartilage is the sliding surface between the two bony surfaces. These shapes can become mis-shapen due to injury or wear and tear. The ligaments can become stretched allowing these joints to become unstable.

Practicing good posture, especially when resting or sleeping can help these joints become more stable.

Hi Sleepy,

How did you get the DX without MRI?? What method did doc use. Just a symptom intake?? Also please update us when you get the MRI.

Thanks. I have something similar - an annular tear and some other things. Coincidently. Had an MRI of the neck a few weeks before my accident so I have a great before and after.

My new neuro-opthamologist told me I also have occipital neuralgia. He gave me two lidocaine shots in the upper neck and it took my headache away pretty quicky! He wants to try again, with steroids, which apparently last longer. Not sure.

But the neck is huge in this type of injury. Strengthening is good, I suppose. Getting back some range of motion. And as Mark says, lots of ice!!!!

He did some tests, moving my neck and noticing which movements caused pain in my left arm. Also, he applied pressure to various parts of my upper spine, and noticed which areas caused pain. He also felt around to see how the discs were fitting together.

I will absolutely give an update when the MRI results return, but the doctor seemed pretty confident in the diagnosis.

Yes, icing for sure. I used a mix I think Marc posted, 1 part rubbing alcohol to 2 parts water in a freezer bag. Been icing my neck frequently the past few days, with a noticeable reduction in symptoms.

Sleepy,

What kind of a doctor did you go to? I want to investigate a neck injury but don't really know which route I should take

thanks

Physical Medicine and Spine Clinic.