I am a 50 year old male in good health. Last February, I went to the doctor as I was having these strange headaches that I thought were sinus related. To my surprise the doctor said that I had neck problems. The initial X-rays confirmed this diagnosis.

Within a few weeks I started experiencing mild pain in portions of my right hand, wrist and fore arm. This quickly progressed to tingling and occasional numbness in my right thumb and first finger.

Since that time, I have been through physical therapy (it did not help, made the arm hurt worse), X-rays, two MRIs, nerve function study, three spinal epidurals (the third made my arm worse) and an MRI, in which I was injected with a radioactive dye that was absorbed by my bones. All of the studies confirmed the earlier diagnosis of DDD and compression on the brachial (?) nerve root.

I have tried all of the NSAIDS, three months of Neurontin (all that did was make me sleepy during the day) and heat. Right now only heat and lying down bring me any relief from the headaches.

My arm actually improved slightly during December, but since then my shoulder hurts more and the headaches have increased in frequency, intensity and duration. I know have headaches and neck pain every other day.

Fast forward to today and I am looking at having C5-6-7 (three level)disk removal and fusion on February 16. The neurologist who did the nerve study said that I was going to need this surgery sooner or later as he felt the sensory issues and motor issues will only progress. My neuro-surgeon felt that I could have the surgery now or anytime in the near future.

Because I fear permanent pain, sensory disturbance and loss of motor function in my right arm (I am right-handed). I have elected to do the surgery now, before things get worse.

My questions are: (1) What was the age that many of you had the surgery?; (2) Did physical therapy help after the surgery?; (3) Are there any concerns, questions to ask, recommendations, or issues to be aware of that you did not anticipate before your surgery?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Regards,

David

P.S. I have a six year old "active' son and I want to be able to better keep up with him.

The doctors showed and explained the MRI images and issues to you?
Just to verify that the disks and problems were showing as a clear cause of the symptoms. Did the imaging show what the doctors can say is clearly related to your amount of symptoms?

Do you also do a lot of desk work or have forward head postures?
There is a condition called thoracic outlet syndrome that can have many similar symptoms.


Get surgical consult/opinions from the best surgeons you can. Ask around.
And choose the one you feel is best for you. You can't look back later and wish you had "interviewed " more of them before choosing.

Hi David I can answer some of your questions. I had an ACDF on C5,C6,C7 last march 2nd. I'm a bit better, but not out of pain or back to work. Still on pain meds, still in physio 3 times a week and still need another surgery on my ulnar nerve to fix my hand. I was 40 and very active and healthy when I had my surgery. My biggest concern was how long my recovery took, all the restrictions I had/& have, and that I'm still on pain meds for neck, shoulder and trap pain. And a biggy, I need another surgery. Ask lots of questions, asks about his success rate, ask about recovery procedure( they are all different) ask about pain meds after surgery. Write it all down so you don't forget. Ask about physio after Aldo, it def helps!!

Good luck to you.
Cathie