My doctor's opinion....surgery is needed

[Bummer Knees]

I saw my primary doctor today (osteopath) and we discussed the cervical injury. I asked about treatment options, physical therapy, traction, injections.

My doctor said in his opinion surgery in needed.

Now this is a doctor who has my respect on when he makes a statement like this as he has been right on target on the knees, lumbar spine and other issues.

He explained I have a major hernation putting pressure on the spinal cord, nerve displacement, among other things.

I see the neurosurgeon next month, still want to give the least invasive forms of treatment a shot before surgery.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

(least invasive forms of treatment) Only thing left is traction You done all the others that were safe to perform.

I need to know what Level or Levels are they talking about.

[Bummer Knees]

Bad Boy I will pm you the MRI report.

[Bummer Knees]

Bad Boy I sent this by e-mail, had trouble with the message system.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

In plane terms, 1 fusion at C5 - C6 which has the bad Herniation..

Then the surgeon will clean up the bone spurs at C4 - C5.

This isn't as bad as you think, in fact my mother-in-Law had this done with very little problems. Never knew she had it done a year later neither. Never stiff nothing.

You might have the numbness now in your Left hand or certain fingers, maybe even some in the forearm. Might get a burn felling in upper arm, right below the shoulder, on the outside part of arm, about the size of a quarter.

[Bummer Knees]

I have the numbness of the arms/hand, also entrapment of the ulnar nerve. Occupational therapist always said I had more then carpal tunnel.

Do you think traction will help the hernation?

Is scar tissue a problem with this type of surgery?

Do you recommend a neurosurgeon or ortho surgeon?

Along with the headaches there is the feeling of pressure in the neck and sometimes I feel like I can't swallow.

Another question: Is this a surgery that has to be done right away or can I delay it for a few months.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Neurosurgeon is always the best in my book.

For the other questions I don't know the answers because I'm not a surgeon looking at those films, or your condition.

Traction is a maybe, you never know.

I do know I performed 3 months of Progressive Traction and it didn't work on me.

Scar tissue everyone gets with a surgery. I too had scar tissue, but it didn't effect me. I had it in the Cervical spine, Knee, and after a Carpal Tunnel surgery. It didn't seem to change my surgeon's minds at anytime.

[Bummer Knees]

If my insurance will agree I will be getting a 2nd opinion on the neck, this one with an ortho.

My doctor and I had a conversation the other day, he asked is this work comp, auto or health insurance?

I told him, I had no choice on the knees being work comp as a coworker reported the work accident.

With this injury I am keeping the control and not reporting the injury as this allows me to select my own doctors and use my personal health insurance.

Thanks for your help Bad Boy.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Why and Ortho and not a Neurosurgeon? One is way better then the other you know.

[bodybuilder1958]

I agree with Bad Boy, you need someone who views this type of stuff night and day. My choice and I'd already mentioned his name is Dr. Abay. Why, he's very good, he's professional, I did several procedures with him. I told you to originally go to the best, this is the 2nd best (just don't tell him that)