Neck Surgery...

[Osnola]

Did not see a folder so put it here to see what your experiences and responses are.  I will try to explain as best I can.

I have some issues with the C4-C6 and need to have surgery.  I think they call it a radicopothy????

Anyhow, been bothering me for about 2 years.  I am 68 years old, athletic my whole life, and it has affected my golf game.  At least I can blame my crappy golf on it for now.

They have recommended that I have Epidural Injections as a precursor to surgery to see if it gives me relief.  After studying it, it looks like it may be a 50/50 "shot" at best.

So, if anyone has experiences any of the above, shots or surgery, please chime in and give my your experiences, outcome, etc.

[dennyjones]

I don't want to be a downer...sorry

My brother was an avid golfer.   He and his wife golfed year round, traveling all over the US to compete in various tournaments.   His dream was to retire on a golf course.   A practical joke on the golf course caused him to damage his neck disc.   He had the surgery where they go in thru the mouth to work on the disc.   That was over 35 years ago.  He is pain free but has very limited neck rotation.   He gave up golf.    I'm sure the procedures are very different today.

Hope your situation is better.

[RandallT]

Caveat: I’m no doctor and this isn’t medical advice. 

I’m dealing with C5-C6 disc herniation here since April. MRI also showed mild herniation in other cervical vertebrae. 

Spine surgeon just wants to do simple procedure on me. 

He also sent me to physical therapy and they’re shocked I’d consider surgery since I can do most things (not golf) pain free. They see surgery typically for people in more pain than I am in. 

Speaking with my general practitioner, he suggested I speak with someone else who does injections, for my own peace of mind.

Seems like surgeons wanna do surgery, physical therapists want to do PT. I’ll bet injectors recommend injections. And if I saw a chiropractor, they’d say they could get me back to working order!

And the GP carefully avoids telling you what to do, so as not to contradict any specialist.  

Thats a summary of where I am anyway.

Also for what it’s worth, my physical therapists have done some things after the MRI showed herniation in the discs that have helped:

1. Dry needling, with electrical stimulation of the muscles that have tightened up.

2. Traction on my spine for 10-15min each visit that feels like it alleviates any compression in my cervixal spine.

Ive been doing physical therapy since the spring, but once I added those elements after an MRI in December, I finally feel like I’m starting to progress toward pain-free full range of motion in my neck and shoulders. Knock on wood. 

Good luck!!!