-
AuthorPosts
-
Hi Dr. Corenman
I’ve sent a few messages before. Thanks for your response. I’m now realizing that my neck pain is most def focused at the C3-4 level. It radiates down the neck into my shoulder, although the shoulder pain is not nearly as bad as the neck pain. I’ve been doing PT but it usually results in acute neck pain and having to take NSAIDs and a muscle relaxer to be able to sleep.
My question, is since the majority of this pain is focused in my neck, how common is it to perform surgery solely for neck pain. ThanksOh I should also not I’ve had an MRI and CT scan done and it shows significant disc height loss and arthritis at c3-4
Surgery for neck pain is possible. The level has to be quite degenerative or unstable and a diagnostic block has to yield significant relief. Two positive diagnostic blocks should be considered. The patient understands in this case, surgery (ACDF) can help but has an approximate success rate for relief of about 70%.
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.Why is fusion recommended in this case over an ADR?
ThanksNeck pain is generated by motion of the segment. An ADR can work but at a much lower success rate (unless the segment is not too degenerative which would be an indication not to do surgery). If the pain was facet mediated, an ADR will increase pain as increased ROM will increase motion of the painful joint.
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.When you say diagnostic block, is that a facet block?
My physiatrist recommends an steroid epidural. Which should I be pursuing in your opinion? I do have some full pain going down my shoulder into upper arm -
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.