It was not my shoulder...

[FD.]

I fell pretty hard on my right shoulder about a month ago and bruised it up, or so I thought. Well, it was not getting any better so I finally went to the doctor yesterday and got some interesting news. I did not hurt my shoulder, I hurt my spine. Something called a C5-C6 herniated disk. The doctor did not seem that concerned and related it to a whiplash injury. Apparently I snapped my head to the side harder than I thought. He said the nerves are compressed, (or something like that), and that is caused the pain in my shoulder, elbow and thumb.

Has anyone had this? Any doctors with an opinion?

I have been scheduled to do a EMG where they stick needles in my shoulder, arm and neck and read the electical impulses when I am at rest. I am not real happy about being a pin cushion. Then they want a full back x-ray and then possibly a MRI.

I guess I will become an excellent left handed fisherman the next few months.

[Muddy]

Wow! Easy does it, and listen to your doctor. My prayers are with you.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I have the same problem as you, only I had to have the surgery. (after an auto accident) I had C4-C5 fused, and a Titanium plate in C5-C6.

I've also been through the EMG. It's not a pleasant experience. Are you seeing a Neurosurgeon?

If you have any questions, PM me.

Good luck,

Falcon

[frogtog]

I had to have mine replaced with Titanium plates. My arm would hurt from the elbow to my risk and that's what it was. It was a very good surgery and once the surgery was over I had no more pain. The worst thing about the surgery is having to wear the neck brace for like two months.

[FD.]

Falcon,

I have been referred to a neuro, he is going to do the EMG.  He is has a technique that if surgery is needed, he can make a small incision just below the trap and repair the disc with a short recovery time.

I had a L3-L4 fusion in 1980 and spent 6 months in a body cast.  I can't imagine going thru that again.

[skillet]

 Sorry to hear about your problems. Went thru all that with my lower back years ago. Get a Dr. you trust and listen to him. Afterward, take your physical therapy seriously. Good Luck my friend...

skillet

[retiredbosn]

I had a neck fusion in 2007, and a lumbar fusion in 1992 and 2002.  Good news is that a neck fusion doesn't take as long to heal as a lumbar.  Souds like he is planning a disectomy through a small incision which is easier to heal from than a fusion.  I wish you luck, unfortunately I have had several surgeries on my spine.  If you want any other information from a patient's perspective just pm.

[Zel]

I recently had the same problem as you in C-4 & C-5 (I also have big time problems in C-6 & C-7 from a childhood injury but thats another story). The needles and shocks were not that bad (well sometimes they were).  I dealt with the pain, but what got me worried the most was I had major numbness in two of my fingers and up my arm (the one I cast with).  Took about 3 months for the numbness to pretty much go away - without doing anything except for some specialized exercise.  5 months later I still have occasional numbness.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I also had Lumbar surgery. (L5-S1) I had cages and rods put in in 2001. The body brace is not fun, especially in 90* heat.

Good luck,

Falcon

[FD.]

Thanks for the input guys.  I appreciate you concern.

FD

[atx_newbie]

My dad had the same issue about 7-8 years ago.  He slipped a disk which pinched a nerve, and his entire left arm was numb from the shoulder down to the fingertips.  He was afraid of having the surgery, so he just put up with it for about 2 months, getting through each day with about 10 vicodin.  He finally bucked up and had the surgery, and to this day when asked about it he says that not getting the surgery right away was the dumbest thing he has ever done.

[fishfordollars]

You might say I have a little experience. Six neck surgeries, three plates and a dozen screws. I am fused at the following: C2-3, 3-4,4-5,5-6,and 6-7.

Now, what you wanta know?

Pain in the neck, rt. shoulder, rt. elbow, and forearm. Tingling in forearm, numbness from the shoulder down. I'll stop there, but there is plenty more. I've had four anterior and two posterior surgeries. They have been in both front sides of my neck twice and the rear section twice. I could write a medical journal on the crap.

[John in NW PA]

Surgery should only be considered as a last resort. Physical therapy can help you get through this. Find a McKenzie certified P.T. - go to mckenziemdt.org and use the therapist locator to find a certified or diploma therapist in your area. I use these techniques with my patients and have had success treating problems like yours. It's a difficult problem, but explore all treatment options.

[fishfordollars]

Surgery should only be considered as a last resort. Physical therapy can help you get through this. Find a McKenzie certified P.T. - go to mckenziemdt.org and use the therapist locator to find a certified or diploma therapist in your area. I use these techniques with my patients and have had success treating problems like yours. It's a difficult problem, but explore all treatment options.

I could qualify as the national poster boy