Deadpool

Dr. Corenman,

Thank you very much for your reply. Since writing this I have went to see another orthopedic specialist who specializes in non-surgical conservative treatment. In a nutshell, he says there is nothing he can do that has not already been done and that my choices are to live with it the best I can (knowing it will likely get worse), or to have the surgery that was recommended.

We went over in-depth the scans from years ago as well as the most recent ones. He, along with two other orthopedic surgeons, all pointed out the obvious cleft running completely through the middle of the C6-C7 “fusion” and all have said it is much more evident now than it was years ago. Also, although I don’t recall his exact technical terms, in a nutshell he said the two levels above the fusion site look real bad.

As for my right shoulder, all have checked it out and none of them have said there is anything wrong specifically with my shoulder. They have all said the pain is likely from my neck.

As for myelopothy, I looked that up on here and about all I can say is that my right hand has some numbness or pins and needles in the thumb to middle fingers, and I occasionally drop things I hold lightly, like car keys or a pen, etc. It appears to me that is a result of sensation changes to my fingers, but maybe there is more to that?

As to the IDR, I found that to be interesting as well especially as it talks about vibration and impact. I drive tens of thousands of miles a year and since my injury last fall driving really makes things worse, as does activity in general (I am working a reduced work schedule since my injury this past fall to try to limit my driving, etc). As I said, my day often starts with my pain in my neck and right shoulder about a 3 to 4. As they day goes by, it increases to about a 6 or 7 with the occasional 8, again mostly neck and right shoulder. The more active I am, the worse it gets by end of day for the most part. And, the worse it gets the worse my right hand symptoms are for the most part. I also have the daily headaches which are often worse the worse my neck and shoulder pain is.

Also, when tipping my head back and/or to the right this increases my neck pain, pain into my right shoulder, and the numbness and pins and needles in those fingers on my right hand.

Thanks again for your help and insight.