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  • Saher
    Member
    Post count: 4

    Hello Doctor,

    my mother is 51 years old and she is having severe neck pain. we have done her MRI and doctors say that C5 & C6 have increased length and need to cut down by surgery.

    I live in Pakistan, here these surgeries are not much successful. Doctors say that the success chances are only 10%.

    Can you suggest us what should we do in such a condition. Doctors say that these increased length of vertebrae can lead to body paralize.

    is there any solution to stop the abnormal growth of these vertebrae to at least stop them in current situation?

    please reply urgent.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8660

    I would have to assume that the vertebra are growing by width and not by length as your mother’s growth plates are closed and the vertebra cannot grow by height. The width can increase however by bone spur formation that is common with degenerative disc disease.

    If the neck pain is caused by spur formation of one or two levels, an ADCF procedure (see website) can be effective to reduce pain. It really depends upon your mother’s symptoms, physical examination and imaging.

    If an ACDF procedure is required, the success rate should be greater than 90%.

    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.
    Saher
    Member
    Post count: 4

    here i am sending you the MRI findings at April 21, 2012

    MRI Findings

    > Reversal of cervical curvature is noted suggestive of muscle of muscle spasm.

    > Degenerative disc disease seen in cervical spine with lipping and osteophyte formation more at C5 & C6 posteriorly.

    > At C3-C4 and C4-C5 levels, diffuse disc bulge is noted causing slight compression of thecal sac.

    > At C5-C6 level diffuse disc bulge and central disc herination noted causing compression of thecal sac.

    > At C6-C7 level diffuse disc bulge is noted causing slight compression of thecal sac and bilateral nerve roots effacement.

    > No spinal canal stenosis seen.

    > Cervico-medullary junction normal.

    > Rest of inter vertebal disc show normal hydration.

    > No bone marrow oedama noted.

    > No paral spinal collection seen.

    > Normal paravertebal soft tissue structures.

    this is current situation now suggest us if there is any solution other than surgery.
    here doctors have no idea what is the reason of increasing length and how can it stop.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8660

    The MRI findings do not suggest that your mother is in immediate danger to her spinal cord. The radiologist states “No spinal canal stenosis seen”. Cord compression is the only real problem that demands surgical attention immediately (there are others that do not apply here).

    Your mother has degenerative disc disease which does cause neck pain. Conservative treatment measures include therapy, epidural injections, medications and activity modifications. She does not have to undergo surgery if she does not desire to. I would say that if you are correct and the success rate for an ACDF surgery where you are located is 10%, I would run away from the surgeons too.

    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.
    Saher
    Member
    Post count: 4

    Surely sir we don’t want to go for surgery . you mentioned about Conservative Treatment, what sort of medicines or injections could be fruitful to cure it?

    Two years before there were problem in only C5 & C6, now the problem has increased to 4 discs.
    The pain has also grown from neck to arms and upper back. What do you think dangers could be?

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8660

    You need to seek out a specialist in pain management such as a PM&R doctor or anesthesiologist for treatment.

    Pain that has migrated from just neck pain to neck and arm pain is possibly continued pain from degenerative discs and now some nerve root irritation causing arm pain.

    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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