rootsy13
12-17-2008, 05:35 PM
I know everybody is different, but I am just curious. I have 2 herniated cervical discs, osteophytes (bone spurs) and spondylosis. I have had 11 physical therapy appointments so far. I am still having pain from my shoulder blade down to my finger tips, plus some tingling and numbness in my hand. My doctor said I'm not improving as much as he would like. If I'm not feeling better in a month (8 more p.t. appt's), we will be testing for nerve damage. I also started taking Mobic last night (anti-inflammatory) and it's not helping. I'm already taking Vicodin for the pain and Robaxyn for muscle spasms.
What has your experience been like? When did you start noticing an improvement?
What has your experience been like? When did you start noticing an improvement?
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Nicole74
12-17-2008, 06:02 PM
They stopped after the third session of no improvement. They told me I would of had improvement with in the first few appointments along with the exercises at home. After there was no improvment with the physical therapy, the doctor referred me to the spine center. After I was done with each of the therapy sessions, I was in severe pain. I did not handle therapy very well.
rootsy13
12-18-2008, 09:21 AM
They stopped after the third session of no improvement. They told me I would of had improvement with in the first few appointments along with the exercises at home. After there was no improvment with the physical therapy, the doctor referred me to the spine center. After I was done with each of the therapy sessions, I was in severe pain. I did not handle therapy very well.
What was involved in your therapy sessions?
What was involved in your therapy sessions?
Nicole74
12-18-2008, 12:13 PM
What was involved in your therapy sessions?
I had the traction on the first two sessions, the tens unit on the first session. She showed me two exercises to do at home on the first session, and two more on the second session. The second and third session she did massage. The third session she showed me one more exercise to do at home. After each session she put moist heat around my neck. I was also taking the two weeks of steroids at the time. I did do the home exercises everyday while I was in therapy. I have three herniated discs and my C5-C6 is pressing against my spinal cord.
I had the traction on the first two sessions, the tens unit on the first session. She showed me two exercises to do at home on the first session, and two more on the second session. The second and third session she did massage. The third session she showed me one more exercise to do at home. After each session she put moist heat around my neck. I was also taking the two weeks of steroids at the time. I did do the home exercises everyday while I was in therapy. I have three herniated discs and my C5-C6 is pressing against my spinal cord.
rootsy13
12-18-2008, 12:31 PM
I had the traction on the first two sessions, the tens unit on the first session. She showed me two exercises to do at home on the first session, and two more on the second session. The second and third session she did massage. The third session she showed me one more exercise to do at home. After each session she put moist heat around my neck. I was also taking the two weeks of steroids at the time. I did do the home exercises everyday while I was in therapy. I have three herniated discs and my C5-C6 is pressing against my spinal cord.
And what was done at the Spine Center? Did they help with the pain? I was on a 5 day steroid pack the first week, but it did not help. My therapy consists of 20 minutes of traction, electrical stimulus, ultrasound and massage. I'm wondering if he should just do more hands on instead of the other modalities.
And what was done at the Spine Center? Did they help with the pain? I was on a 5 day steroid pack the first week, but it did not help. My therapy consists of 20 minutes of traction, electrical stimulus, ultrasound and massage. I'm wondering if he should just do more hands on instead of the other modalities.
AnnD
12-18-2008, 12:36 PM
I am surprised that you are actually have PT. When I had a that problem I could barely walk let alone do any PT...in fact I would of thought that PT would do damage. I was told to go home and lay flat for 8 weeks. and only time took care of the problem...that was the truth.
rootsy13
12-18-2008, 01:07 PM
I am surprised that you are actually have PT. When I had a that problem I could barely walk let alone do any PT...in fact I would of thought that PT would do damage. I was told to go home and lay flat for 8 weeks. and only time took care of the problem...that was the truth.
Well my initial diagnosis also included a sprained lumbar, rhomboid and neck. This was on top of my discs, bone spurs and spondylosis. My muscles are still apparently very tight in my back and neck. The therapy has definitely helped with strains, but I am still having issues from disc (ie - radiating pain). I was told the electrical stimulus, ultrasound and massage is to help alleviate some the the deep muscle tightness which is also impinging on my nerves.
This accident actually compounded prior issues I had 6 years ago from another accident. 6 years ago I wasn't able to move my left arm or neck at all. Strange thing is, that was a more severe accident but p.t. helped tremendously. I think the area of my spine that was affected had a lot of degeneration from prior accident, and that's why it's taking longer for me to heal. I have a feeling I will eventually end up getting the cortisone nerve blocker since this was already mentioned to me as next step of treatment (if there is no improvement in a month). By that time, I would have had close to 20 p.t. appointments and it will be almost 3 months since my latest accident.
I also can't take off work, but luckily I have a desk job. Only thing is I have to look down all day!
Well my initial diagnosis also included a sprained lumbar, rhomboid and neck. This was on top of my discs, bone spurs and spondylosis. My muscles are still apparently very tight in my back and neck. The therapy has definitely helped with strains, but I am still having issues from disc (ie - radiating pain). I was told the electrical stimulus, ultrasound and massage is to help alleviate some the the deep muscle tightness which is also impinging on my nerves.
This accident actually compounded prior issues I had 6 years ago from another accident. 6 years ago I wasn't able to move my left arm or neck at all. Strange thing is, that was a more severe accident but p.t. helped tremendously. I think the area of my spine that was affected had a lot of degeneration from prior accident, and that's why it's taking longer for me to heal. I have a feeling I will eventually end up getting the cortisone nerve blocker since this was already mentioned to me as next step of treatment (if there is no improvement in a month). By that time, I would have had close to 20 p.t. appointments and it will be almost 3 months since my latest accident.
I also can't take off work, but luckily I have a desk job. Only thing is I have to look down all day!
Nicole74
12-18-2008, 06:51 PM
And what was done at the Spine Center? Did they help with the pain?
I've been going to the spine center for almost two months? They have me on percocet and zanaflex. They have done an epidural spinal injection(did not work for me), a cervical medial branch block on my right side at two levels and I'm going in for another branch block on the left side. The branch blocks are for dignostic only to see if they need to burn my medial branch nerves(they did not work either). The PM says they have to do this last shot to prove that this is not going to work. He says I will need surgery. I'll be reffered to the surgeon after these next shots(thank goodness, I can't handle this anymore). The pain is very severe and at times unbearable. I herniated the three discs while playing with my girls 3 months ago.
I've been going to the spine center for almost two months? They have me on percocet and zanaflex. They have done an epidural spinal injection(did not work for me), a cervical medial branch block on my right side at two levels and I'm going in for another branch block on the left side. The branch blocks are for dignostic only to see if they need to burn my medial branch nerves(they did not work either). The PM says they have to do this last shot to prove that this is not going to work. He says I will need surgery. I'll be reffered to the surgeon after these next shots(thank goodness, I can't handle this anymore). The pain is very severe and at times unbearable. I herniated the three discs while playing with my girls 3 months ago.