[Checker]

Hi, I am looking for some people with similar issues for your help please. I can usually keep my pain under control but I am have a big flare up for 3 weeks and just started Physiotherapy to help. Here is what is going on with me. I had anterior disc fusion with a titanium plate at C5\6, I have smaller disc protrusions at c4\5 and c6\7 and bone spurs throughout. My surgery area was a very large herniation for many years from driving a forklift for 8+ years.
I still have a fair amount of pain but usually ok to deal with. I aggregated my neck somehow,either when I moved it the wrong way and I really felt the pain from it. I believe it is coming from my neck with pains into both of my arms. Usually the left aches more but this time my right is so unbearable with this flare up. I just extend my fingers and feel such pain in my arm and elbow area like raw nerve pain. Like that nerve in a tooth pain. My left side is good with a good numb sensation and right is the raw nerve. I am trying everything to get it to subside. My Physio guy helped relieve a little until I left the office. I am trying to do the same while at home with no luck. I imagine it it just a matter of unknown time for it to subside. Does anyone experience this same issue, as I am? I am trying heat,ice and rest with the exercises my Physio said and on my 2nd session. My surgery was at the end of 2012. My body aches from it but the right is my biggest issue with being almost useless with it because of the sharp pain just to squeeze a little amount. I say from neck and not a new right side elbow issue because the left is similar pain but very tolerable as usual. Any suggestions to help me please are more than welcomed. My Physiotherapist is also working on Central Sensitization with me,he believes is also the issue.

[Jomar]

Have they tried TENS or IF stim at PT?
You can buy one, or get a RX for ins to pay for one for home use if it helps.

My chiro had a low level laser too - also called soft /cold laser -- it was great for my specific sore spots in my elbows, wrist , low back , foot.., I'm not sure about actual nerve pain tho , might be worth a test..


Any follow up w/ surgeon , possible internal scar tissue?

[Checker]

Thank you for your reply; I do not have a follow up with my surgeon,may be I should try. I will look into the stim and laser. I do have a Tens that I use. My physiotherapist says the Tens won't help,I am basically wasting time with it. Now that you mention scar tissue,I think the laser helps with that or that ultrasound device. I will ask my Physiotherapist about that. Thanks so much! So far since this post,I got my right arm to settle on the intense nerve pain. My left arm is more sore now bit not like that intensity of the right. Something is happening in a positive way. The nerves are getting a little relief...ahhhh it has been 3 weeks of flared up and 1 week of the intense right arm nerve pain and neck. Finally!!

QUOTE=Jo*mar;1138276]Have they tried TENS or IF stim at PT?
You can buy one, or get a RX for ins to pay for one for home use if it helps.

My chiro had a low level laser too - also called soft /cold laser -- it was great for my specific sore spots in my elbows, wrist , low back , foot.., I'm not sure about actual nerve pain tho , might be worth a test..


Any follow up w/ surgeon , possible internal scar tissue?[/QUOTE]

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I have a surgery consult for C5-6 fusion and not sure what else. From what I've been told the surgery doesn't help the pain issues. Also, all if the referred pain/weakness/numbing in my hands, wrists and forearms will only be helped through physical therapy. I'm sure time will tell on nerve damage.