Herniated disc in neck- Is PT helpful? - Hernia Message Board

starrfish · 05-20-2004, 02:20 PM

I was dx with a broad-based cervical hnp at c5-6 with moderate compression on the spinal cord. The symptoms came on suddenly and I had severe pain in my right shoulder and arm. I also have some numbness in my right thumb. My PCP had told me surgery was likely, but when I saw the Neuro today, he said Physical Therapy should do the trick. I am very glad I am not having surgery...now. He said if the symptom worsen to come back in. My fiance said I minimized my pain to the doc, and that I should not go back to work he wrote me back on light duty...I work as a nurse aid).

I was just wondering if anyone has had luck with PT? What does it involve? The script says stretching and gentle traction....

Thanks for your input..

Hurdy · 05-23-2004, 10:29 PM

Hi, i had herniation at c 4-5 and 5-6. PT did nothing for me and i also went to a spine clinic where the Chiro did adjustments,deep heat ultrasound message and stretching....also did not work. So needless to say, i am 7 weeks post op today. Hurdy

starrfish · 05-24-2004, 07:27 AM

Really? Sorry to hear pt did not help.

I guess the Neuro feels that since the radiculopathy pain has improved, pt will help. I still have numbness, which seems to be increasing. I don't start pt until June 2, so I guess it is a waiting game right now.

Was the surgery a success?

ashbyhorses · 05-24-2004, 08:24 AM

Hello,june 2,2003 I Had Posteria Laminectomyand Fusion Of Disks 3 Thru 7.before That I Went Thru The Whole Nine Yards, Acupunture, Medications, Pt, Whatever Else They (doctor) Thought Would Work.this Lasted About 7-8 Yearsof Trying To Avoid Surgery. I Too Developed Severe Pain In Right Shoulder ,down My Arm And Numbness.i Finally Went To My Neuro Surgeon And He Sent Me For More Mri"s And They Showed Compression On My Spine,spongydolosis(spelling Wrong)and I Had To Start Wering A Brace Because Any Wrong Move Or If I Was In An Accident I Could Have Been Paralyzed. So After That I Said "do The Surgery".once He Got In There He Told Me He Had To Literally Dig The Nerve Roots Out And It Was Worse Than He Thought.the Surgery Usually Last 3 Hours But I Was In There For 6 .but Did Great.the Recovery Period Was Horrible And Definitely No Fun But I Survived That.
I Am One Year On My Recovery And I Can Honestly Say Ifeel Great And I Have 2 Rods And 10 Screws In My Neck. They Removed The Laminia In The Back And There Is No Hump In The Back Of My Neck. I Am Still Somewhat Stiff And Can't Turn My Neck To The Side Like I Did But I Am In No Pain In The Neck, Shoulder And Arm. Only Sometimes I Still Get Some Pain But Nothing Like It Was.so If I Were You Tell Your Doctor How You Feel And If This Has Been Going On For A Long Time And He Has Tried Everything And Nothing Helped Then Surgery May Be Next.
As For As Pt Helping, It Does For A Bit But The Pain Still Is There And The Problem Seems To Get Worse.i'm Sure Your Doctor Will Do Everything He Can Before He Tells You , Surgery.just Make Sure You Do What He Says And If Your Problem Isn't To Bad Right Now , Pt May Help But Tell Him If The Pt Isn't Working So He Can Do Something Else.
Sorry I Wrote So Much But When I Get Started On This Subject I Can Go On And On. I Hope What I Have Told You Will Help Someway. Take Care And I Will Say A Prayer For You In Hopes You Will Feel Better. May God Bless You ........ Terry

pattymelt · 05-24-2004, 10:20 AM

I too went through many years of different treatments including acupuncture, physical therapy to include traction, ultrasound, heat, massage, and then arthritis pool exercises, and also had taken several courses of prednisone and had three epidural steroid injections, none of which helped for any length of time and the pain just kept getting worse over five years. I finally was referred by my neurologist to a neurosurgeon and had three consecutive MRI's and plain films of the cervical spine to see how much progression there was from one month to another and ended up in surgery in March for ACDF and PCDF with grafting, plating and fusion of C2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and 5-6. The recuperation has been hard, but I am seeing improvement every day although I am still on pain pills (Percocet) and muscle relaxer (Flexeril) and am having severe itching at the incision site in the back. The front one has healed beautifully with no problem, and the back incision (6 inches from base of skull downward) is healed well but is bothersome as it is so tender around there and in the shoulders. Anyway I am glad I had the surgery done and realize I still have a long healing period ahead of me. My next milestone will be getting this Miami J neck brace off. Hot weather is coming and I hate the idea of having to wear this in the summer, but whatever it takes to get this healed I will do. The worry of paralysis was the deciding factor for me to have the surgery and at least I don't have that worry now. The surgery was no fun and the first few weeks were really hard, but with a strong faith and help from my wonderful family I have done great. I am glad I tried all the conservative measures before having surgery, but when I saw nothing was helping I realized surgery was the only answer. Good luck!