New here and I have questions - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

T's Aching Neck · 10-28-2003, 06:50 PM

Hi everyone! I'm new and I have a few questions. I have a herniated disc in my c4-5 area. The doctor said there is no impingment. I have no idea what impingement is. He told me I need to have surgery sometime during my life.....the sooner the better.

When he told me this news, I was rather stunned, so I didn't "hear" everything he told me. After my initial shock, I came home and looked up many things on the internet, which led me to these boards.

What is impingement? If I have surgery, what will the dr. do? Is fusion the only option? Can herniated discs be repaired......keeping the disc?? I feel so ignorant, so I don't know what questions to ask. I am in very good health otherwise. I'm 32 years YOUNG. I'm terrified to have surgery, however, since I am still young, it would be best........or maybe if I have surgery now, it will cause me lifetime of more pain.

My herniated disc is pushing on my spinal cord. Why is it that I have pain for about 2 weeks and then it goes away for a few months? I have no pain right now other than just a bit of discomfort if I lie a certain way. But soon, the pain will come back full force with no advance warning..and it keeps me in bed to the point where I cannot move my neck without wanting to cry, except that crying makes the pain hurt worse. I thank GOD that the pain isn't like that constantly in my life. I'm just wondering why it comes and goes like that if the disc is herniated and pressing on my spinal cord all the time.

I'm sorry this is so long. I just am so unaware and need to be more educated by people who are going through this.
Thanks so much!

nero · 10-29-2003, 05:34 AM

Hi

Your disc is like toothpaste and oozes out and in pressing on same level nerves sometimes and sometimes not. That is why the pain comes and goes. The spinal cord pressure is because the herniated disc like a small balloon presses up against it causing direct spinal chord pain, a lot more intese than nerve pain, and then the compression can affect your whole body down the leg nerves, hands, face, bowel/bladder etc.

Compression is very serious over time and affects your walking, lifting legs. It takes time if compression is mild or if direct hit can be pretty brutual.

I found chiropractic with some massage and traction helped but I am now 3 years past first herniation and due of spinal fusion with disc removal.

there is now upcoming therapy of artificial disc replacement vs. taking out bad disc and fusing but that is a ways off and only good for one level disc problem ..that seems to be you. I have bulging disc on next level and not sure if i could use that option.

Anyway all kinds of people on this board have knowledge of cervical disc problem so you are not alone and you will get help here. its a journey you're young. I was 40 and fairly atheletic woman and its been a journey i wouldn't wish on anybody....

Keep seeking information... Nero

T's Aching Neck · 10-29-2003, 06:40 AM

Thanks so much, Nero!

I just received a phone call from the neurosurgeon this morning. He said he would perform a discectomy and possibly a laminectomy. However, I've been looking around on the internet and found a procedure called Cervical Endoscopy Discectomy. It seems to be the least invasive of surgeries. I asked my doctor about this and he said he did NOT do it. So, time to start seeking other neuros out.

I do have another question............if a discectomy is performed and there is no fusion, then how can that be done? I don't understand how you can't have a disc or something in between the vertebrae. I've looked around for that answer, but am not finding anything that explains it well enough for me. I had already thought that disc replacements were already available, but that could be just me thinking back to old sci-fi movies......

Any input on cervical endoscopic discectomies and were good surgeons may be located? I would be willing to travel to any incredible surgeon. This is my neck.......my spinal cord, more specifically. It would be worth it.

Thanks again!