A specialist reviewed my cervical MRI and told my spine doc that he will not give me the injection because the "space" is too small and th risk of paralysis is too great. I have bulging discs at C4/5 (moderate), C5/6, and C6/7 (severe) with pressure on spinal canal and intermittent pain and numbness from right shoulder to fingertips. . I see a neurosurgeon in 2 days. If I'm not a candidate for injections, what options do I have for pain relief? I've had pain for several years and physical therapy off and on.
My guess is that surgery is your option, or live with meds or live in pain. BUT with pressure on the spinal canal you really don't want to mess with that. My best advice is to see more than one neurosurgeon and see what your options are. I would recommend seeing 3 personally - and see if there's any consensus as to treatment. And ask around for recommendations on neurosurgeons. Research them online. ASK tons of questions!!
Thank you, Swedish fish...after further research I came to the conclusion that it was surgery if I wanted to be rid of the pain. The neuro and ortho surgeons agree that 3 level ACDF is their recommendation. I flunked the neuro exam! I am comfortable with their recommendation and will have the surgery July 6. Thanks again for your response!
Good luck! My posterior laminectomy/foraminotomy is scheduled for 7/12. the first neurosurgeon wanted to do a 3-level ACDF but instead I'm having a posterior laminectomy/foraminotomy with no fusion. Anyway - hope all goes well!
How did your surgery go? And how was your post op recovery? Going to most likely have a foraminotomy in a few weeks and I'm terrified of the pain afterwards.