Who's had problems with discs, in particular C5-C6, C6-C7? - JP Fitness Forums

Alextown · 08-03-2007, 07:50 AM

I'm really interested in recovery. Doesn't seem like there's a lot you can do for a bulging disc in these areas, just some moderate PT, and stretching, and patience.

I still have the pain in my arm, but the patience is sure running thin. Anyone else ever have rehab on their discs?

UConnJulie · 08-03-2007, 11:50 AM

I have treated many people with this type of injury. What specifically did you want to know? Do you have confirmed bulge (via MRI)?

Alextown · 08-03-2007, 02:13 PM

no mri taken, but all the symptoms are there - numbness in thumb, pain in forearm, and pain between shoulder and bicep tricep area. Been doing Pt, and it's helped some, but not all the way.

UConnJulie · 08-03-2007, 05:50 PM

OK ... so what specifically did you want to know?

Alextown · 08-03-2007, 06:42 PM

how long does it take to get over it? Been through 3 weeks of PT, it was bothersome for three weeks prior to that. I just want to get it behind me. I still do just about everything I normally did, but want to get the pain part behind me

UConnJulie · 08-04-2007, 11:33 AM

It's variable unfortunatly ... some respond very quickly to treatment and others take longer. Also depends upon mechanism of injury ... if traumatic sometimes there aren't the postural issues to correct ... if chronic onset, there are often compensations and other things that need work to be painfree.

What is your treatment consisting of?

Alextown · 08-04-2007, 01:01 PM

I've done 3 weeks of PT, consisting of (not sure what this is called) electric nodes being placed on me, primarily in the trap area, and ultrasound threapy. They also did a little traction in the third week. Beyond that, I've been doing stretching three times a day ( 4 diffferent types), and perscribed naprocyn (don't care for it too much either).

Initially, the pain was really unbearable, and the PT has helped that for sure. But the symptoms are all still there, and there is lingering pain. I think I may go back to my regular MD, and see if an MRI would be useful, or perhaps it's even time to see a neurologist. Not sure what else to do.

UConnJulie · 08-05-2007, 08:09 AM

That might be a good plan ... it sounds to me like you are not seeing the most progressive PT ... he/she should be putting their hands on you, getting the joints all moving properly, working on postural stuff, and getting the nerves moving better. Once your symptoms are reduced, then he/she would be doing scapular stability stuff and other strengthening stuff. Not sure where in Northern VA you are, but there are likely to be some good PTs in the area ... you can try here for some names ...

Chrisatc · 08-05-2007, 09:03 AM

I have a c5-6 fusion.

About three years ago. Same s/s, I was 29 years old. I tried traction, manual therapy, strengthening, etc.etc. (I work in a PT dept).

Went to the neurosurgeon, he wanted to do surgery asap. I said no-try more therapy. He said "fine I will see you in a few weeks anyhow" well 2 weeks later the usualy relief from putting my arm above the head did not work and the pain was severe, so off tot he operating table I went.

the chiro I see is dissapointed I did not know him before I had surgery, but he maintains that there may not have been anything he could have done anyhow. But he has helped the postop discomfort I was experiencing.

Sorry for the quick version, any other questions, lmk.

Alextown · 08-05-2007, 11:24 AM

Julie, thanks for the link. The guy in Herndon is fairly nearby, I'll have to give them a ring.

Chris - how long was your recovery after surgery? And how are you feeling since it?

Chrisatc · 08-05-2007, 02:32 PM

It was fairly quick, I had the surgery in May and was back to simple movement lifting in I think July and sports (basketball) later that month...but don't quote me.

I get some anterior tightness and posterior discomfort once in awhile. When it really flares up, I see the chiro and after a few sessions, I am fine. I play ice hockey, so that may have something to do with it. Mind you, I did no rehab postop, surgeon felt it was unneccessary.

Alextown · 08-05-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisatc

It was fairly quick, I had the surgery in May and was back to simple movement lifting in I think July and sports (basketball) later that month...but don't quote me.

I get some anterior tightness and posterior discomfort once in awhile. When it really flares up, I see the chiro and after a few sessions, I am fine. I play ice hockey, so that may have something to do with it. Mind you, I did no rehab postop, surgeon felt it was unneccessary.

appreciate it Chris.

MillerMan · 08-08-2007, 12:37 PM

It’s interesting – I am in pretty much the same situation you are. I have been lifting pretty heavy with no problem. Then one morning I woke up and had a lot of pain in my neck and shoulder. The pain started to shoot down my arm and into my fingers and it was almost unbearable at times. I went to PT for several weeks with no improvement. I had the MRI and the C-5 C-6 disc was bulging and pressing on the nerve root. My doctor prescribed an aggressive steroid anti-inflammatory and that did the trick. I still get tingling in my fingers and stiffness in my neck but the pain is gone. If it does not get any worse than this I think I can avoid the fusion surgery. It has been about 6 weeks since this started and I am starting to lift (lightly) again. I am trying to figure out which exercises to stay away from to prevent from aggravating this thing. I think that deads and squats may have been the culprit but I could be wrong.

Alextown · 08-08-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerMan

It’s interesting – I am in pretty much the same situation you are. I have been lifting pretty heavy with no problem. Then one morning I woke up and had a lot of pain in my neck and shoulder. The pain started to shoot down my arm and into my fingers and it was almost unbearable at times. I went to PT for several weeks with no improvement. I had the MRI and the C-5 C-6 disc was bulging and pressing on the nerve root. My doctor prescribed an aggressive steroid anti-inflammatory and that did the trick. I still get tingling in my fingers and stiffness in my neck but the pain is gone. If it does not get any worse than this I think I can avoid the fusion surgery. It has been about 6 weeks since this started and I am starting to lift (lightly) again. I am trying to figure out which exercises to stay away from to prevent from aggravating this thing. I think that deads and squats may have been the culprit but I could be wrong.

I hear you man. I called my doctor today and requested further assistance. It's reallt ridiculous at this point. I'm still lifting, just not deads or squats (like you) until I can get this better. I know wha tyou mean by unbearable too. was like that for about 4 days, that really sucked.

Chrisatc · 08-08-2007, 06:25 PM

I had a fusion, but would the Jho procedure be a better option if surgery is needed?

MillerMan · 08-09-2007, 09:54 AM

What is jho?

Chrisatc · 08-09-2007, 10:13 AM

Jho is a physician/surgeon...I think he performed his technique on Kurt Angle. Just another method of invasive procedure.

I didn't know about it until after I had mine done, so didn't look at it too closely, I think Jho is in Pittsburgh, and basically short answer is it involves just cleaning out the nerve foramen.

bfoley · 08-14-2007, 03:39 PM

About 3 years ago I was cutting my lawn and walked under the tree in my front yard. I don't know why, but I picked up my head at the wrong time and hit it on one of the low branches. I felt a lightning bolt go down my left arm and into my fingers. The next day I went to the chiropractor for treatment. All seemed well at this point.

A year later I was doing combat martial arts and we did arm/neck locks. No injury or anything, but after several months, my left shoulder/neck was bothering me. When I went to the Ortho, I told him I was also feeling tingling in my left hand, and when I turn my head to the left, I would get a zinger down my arm. After an MRI, he told me that I have 1 slightly herniated and 2 bulging discs in my neck. He sent me to a PT. I also went to a neuorsurgeon with the MRI and he also recommended PT.

After 3 months of PT my neck felt fine. It's been 2 years and the neck is still ok, with the occasional zinger down my arm if I turn my head to the left too quickly. My PT was very hands on, with manual traction and flexibility work. I highly recommend you get a good PT.

Anyway, that's my story.

Brian