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  • tgmy7
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    Post count: 1

    A year ago today I had a severe fall on my neck at work. The ER doctor thought it fractured after X-ray and ordered CT. Said the CT was negative for fracture at C2-3 anterior pillar.) Developed high blood pressure–as much as 220/110 that fluctuates and seems to respond to wearing neck collar. BP, neck pain and arm numbness (right) continued. Doctor ordered MRI sent wo workman’s comp radiologist. They said it was uncovertebral disc hypertrophy in C5-6. Have much crackling and creaking in neck. My kids sent out MRI to professional radiologist who works for sports teams. He cited possible nondisplaced fracture in left C3 articular pillar, back-wall annular tearing on C-4-5, retrolisthesis in C4-5 and disc herniation and osteophyte in C5-6 producing moderate compression in right C6 nerve root. Workmans Comp said I had carpal tunnekl and ordered EMG, which instead confirmed finding of sports radiologist. I am in a small state in which most doctors work for the insurance carrier. Now they are sending me to IME to prove it is “cervical strain”. I sleep on 5 pillows, takes me hours to get to sleep (feel better in morning), I drop tools, and my neck especially hurts when I drive or work on computer for extended periods. Sometimes even putting a key ring on a lanyard around the back of my neck triggers flushing and high BP. They sent me to a physical therapist who said my “psychological state” is at fault. One PT session had to be stopped because my eye had a bad tic–the therapist said it was “nerves”. I was sent for BP blood workup which found negative for kidney malfunction, sodium and potassium imbalance and blood glucose. Also no arterial occlusion found. An osteopath who treated me thought the atlas was out of place. His manipulation cured me–for about 18 hours. Then it was even worse. He did another manipulation that got me back to where I started. He sent me to a neurosurgeon, but she works for insurer and will only issue final opinion after I go to an IME. I researched the IME doctor and he finds no injury in 85% of cases. Do you have any doctors there certified in other states? My sister is a nurse and she is worried I may have big problems in 4-5 years. I’m most worried about the blood pressure. I fell over a few times I had such intense vertigo.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    The blood pressure increase is most likely not related to your neck injury. Pain can cause increased blood pressure.

    If you had a non-displaced fracture of the neck, most likely this has healed if three months has passed. You have degenerative changes at many levels in your neck. These can cause many of your symptoms. If the EMG notes nerve compression and you have findings that confirm nerve compression on your MRI, your physical examination and history also confirm this then an IME should be straight forward.

    I do understand that some physicians can be biased but most work comp systems do have a series of checks and balances to prevent the abuses that you are afraid of.

    Vertigo is rarely associated with the neck.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
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