reverse cervical lordosis? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

mel333 · 01-15-2003, 05:34 AM

Hi,
My name is Mel and I come here every now and then to seek out support for chronic neck pain. I have a bulge c5/6 and one at c3/4 from whiplash 7 years ago, am 32. I have had 2 lots of facet blocks c5/6 that have helped over the last year and a half, yet still get headaches and neck pain. Dr's either can't diagnose where the pain is from, some say all psycological and a muscoskeletal dr recently suggested (based on my CT and MRI) I have a reversed cervical lordosis, whereby the neck is bending forward due to disc pressure on cord c5/6. This looks sensible and is the case in the pics. I guess it just sounds odd. I am having c3/4 facet blocks tomorrow to see if that helps head and upper neck pain. C5/6 shots got rid of arm pain and lower neck/ shoulder. Any thoughts? I hope all this made sense.

Mel

melanie dawn · 01-15-2003, 09:23 AM

Hi Mel,
Yes what you are saying makes sense. I'm the other Mel

THe loss of cervical lordosis, can be caused by the spasm and or pain from your neck . As the neck muscles get weaker the head pulls forward. You end up with a bit of a snowball effect. Becuase your neck hurts you hold it differently , and because you hold it differently, you develope the loss of cervical lordosis, and cause other pain because the increased strain on other muscles.
Also, you can have painful discs without them being herniated completely. The disc itself has pain fibres, and these can be a source of pain in discs that dont show any abnormality on film. Hope this helps.
Mel

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[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 01-16-2003).]

mel333 · 01-15-2003, 09:30 PM

Hi Mel,
Thanks for your understanding. How is your neck/headaces? I had some 3/4 facet blocks today and will try 2/3 in a month to see what helps. I am working with a guy trying to fix my posture which is logical for a change. I was also looking at c2 nerve block for my headaches if the facet blocks don't settle it. The neck is so damn complicated. All the best to you.
Mel

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 01-16-2003).]

melanie dawn · 01-16-2003, 05:19 PM

Hi Mel,
today i am on the verge of one of those headaches. I can feel it coming, from the back of my head and then sort of numb to start on the right side of my face and head. It definately seems to be related to increasing muscle spasms. But then so does everything. I'm finding that when one thing starts , it all goes, hand in hand. Im on the verge of the headache, and both of my arms are really heavy and aching, and so on .
The shots did help, I just find that the effects wear off about three months before i can have them again.
How are you feeling after your shots? Hopefully this note finds you well.
Mel

Renee016 · 01-20-2003, 06:18 PM

Hi, Mel. I too have a reverse cervical lordosis. I have three herniated discs in my neck - one minor, one torn and one totally ruptured that is pressing on the spinal cord. The kyphosis was discovered about a year and a half ago after a regular x-ray but the discs were only found after an MRI I had a month ago. My orthopedist told me it could go either way - the herniated discs could be causing the kyphosis or vice versa. I also have scoliosis and that my have something to do with the curve in my neck too.

Anyway, I know what your going through - hang in there and feel better.

Renee