Neck thoughts
 

So... as you may or may not remember from other posts.. I have some damage to my neck... my question is do i go to an orthopedic neck surgeon type person.. here is what my MRI results from 6-26 says...

C3-4 mixed disc- osteophyte complex asymmetric to the right. Right Luschka joint hypertrophy with mild to moderate right foramina stenosis. Mild left foramina stenosis. Thecal sac effacement.

C4-5: Bilobed disc displacement asymmertric to the left with theca sac effacement, moderate left foramina stenosis. Mid right formational stenosis

C5-6: Disc desiccation. Broad disc protrusion with spinal cord effacement. AP diameter of the central canal measures 6mm. Mild to moderate left forminal stenosis

C6-7 Disc desiccation. Midline disc protrusion with spinal cord effacement. AP diameter of the central canal measures 6mm. Mild left foramina stenosis

I know that the C3-4 is old stuff and the 5-6 and 6-7 are new... My concern is that I do not want to get this whole head thing figured out and the doctors say... oh, yeah, we need to operate on your neck...

What are they purposing to do? Stabilization with metal rods?

The research into MRI's of the spine show many cases are counter intuitive. A highly symptomatic patient may have no imaged injuries or deterioration. A patient with severe imaged injuries or deterioration can have no symptoms.

They struggle to understand this conundrum.

This does not mean that there are not injuries worth treating. I think the question is one of risk benefit analysis. Once tissue is cut on and modified, it is difficult to undo the changes. A conservative approach is often best to start.

I have had knee and shoulder problems since high school. 40 years later, I may finally need a surgical intervention on my shoulder. 20 years ago, the surgeon told me the risks of surgery. 1/3rd get improvement, 1/3rd stay the same and 1/3rd get worse. So, I decided to change my behaviors to reduce further risk to my shoulders. It worked for those 20 years until I fell hard snow skiing last winter.

It sounds like your neck is in bad shape. Can they fix it without putting you at further risk ? A BIG question.

I have some foramina narrowing in a few places with some mild disk bulging. Never even considered taking on the risks of surgery. I learned better posture, especially during rest and sleep. Sometimes, I can move my head and my neck sounds like a bag of bones. Ewwwwww.

Hockey- my concern is that if I go to a orthopedic surgeon that they will want to cut... which is what my chiro thinks... he has seen the MRI and says it is a toss up... he was Peyton Manning's chiro and said that my neck is very similar...

Mark- I have had both of my shoulders rebuilt... took a year to get back to "normal" but I had no choice.. I was dislocating by washing my hair.

I do not understand what "foramina narrowing" is...

My other concern is.. could this be what is causing my headaches? I know that there is some fluid up there too but wondering if this could be part of the issue...

I have been doing soft tissue massage twice a week and chiro work twice a week as well as acupuncture since May... nothing has changed.. My chiro says my neck is more stable finally but there are some real concerns that he can not fix.

torn on what to do...

Foramina narrowing and foramina stenosis are basically the same. This is a reduction in the space where the nerve exits the vertebra. Your chiro should be able to explain it.

I wonder if you are having to much therapy on your neck. It could increase inflammation. Are you icing ?

What are you doing for head and neck posture issues ?

Yes, I am icing...

Not doing anything for posture issues... thoughts?