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Cervical degeneration after nearly 2 years getting worse
Hi,
I have been getting worse since August 2022.
Throughout this experience I have seen neurosurgeons, pain managent specialists to no avail.
In August 2023 I made the stupid decision to get decompression laser surgery at C5-C6, C6-C7 and bilateral rhizothomies from C5-T1 at the Deukspine Institute in Melbourne Florida by neurosurgeon Ara Deukmedjian.
The surgery was a total failure because it gave me a dropped head and chronic muscle spasms that I did not have prior.
My condition has been getting worse, more symptomatic than before.
Not sure if the removal of the bulging disc material from already thin discs and facet joint ablations have contributed to the destabilization of my cervical spine.
2 neurosurgeons in Australia advised me not to seek anymore operations and ablations and to get off the drugs. Gentle Exercise was their recomendation. The surgeons did not think that an operation would improve my pain due to thae fact that it is multifactorial.
I have been trying to do more physical activity such as walking so that my muscles won't waste away.
Last week I had the latest cervical neck MRI that shows more deterioration than before.
Can anyone interpret the meaning of the following?
I asked my GP and Specialist but the don't really explain what is the meaning of this. Should I worry?
My symptoms are stinging, burning neck pain, shoulders, sholder blades, arms, hands, fingers nearly chronic pain. Pain a lot worse when sitting and lying down.
Pain, pins and needles shooting in legs and feet at times.
Thank you.
MRI - CERVICAL SPINE
History: A 67-year-old male with complex history of neck surgery presents with neck pain and deterioration in neck symptoms for investigation. ? Disc pathology.
? Radiculopathy.
Technique :
Standard protocol.
MRI Findings :
There is straightening of the cervical spine with loss of the normal
curvature and there is subtle anterior spondylolisthesis of C7 relative to Tl.
At this level, there are broad-based disc bulging, endplate ridging and facet arthropathy contributing to foraminal narrowing for the exiting C8 nerves bilaterally but worse on the right side. Vertebral body height is maintained. Small haemangiomata are visible. The Cl-2 articulation is preserved.
The cervicomedullary junction is intact and there is no cerebellar ectopia.
Cervical spinal cord has normal morphology and signal. Central canal is capacious .
C3-4: Disc degeneration is present with loss of disc height. There are broad-based disc bulging and endplate ridging preferentially towards the right side.
There is foraminal compromise for the exiting right C4 nerve and moderate grade foraminal narrowing for the exiting left C4 nerve.
C4-5: Disc degeneration is present with loss of height, endplate change and anterior corner bony ridging. There are disc bulging and endplate ridging preferentially towards the right side. There is foraminal compromise for the exiting C5 nerves bilaterally but worse on the right side.
C5-C6: Disc degeneration is present with loss of height. There are mild broad-based disc bulging and endplate ridging preferentially towards the left side. There is mild foraminal narrowing for the exiting left C6 nerve.
C6-7:
Disc degeneration is present with posterior disc bulging and endplate
ridging. There is moderate grade foraminal narrowing for the exiting C7
nerves more pronounced on the right side. Facet arthropathy is noted. There is mild fatty infiltration of the paraspinal musculature. No cervical rib and no fascial band is seen. Thoracic curvature is noted.
Conclusion :
Straightening of the cervical spine with mild degenerative spondylolisthesis of C7 relative to Tl. There are associated facet joint arthropathy and foraminal narrowing for the exiting C8 nerves.
There is degeneration of the cervical discs with disc bulging, endplate ridging and facet joint arthropathy resulting in multilevel foraminal compromise particularly on the right side as outlined above.
Alfred
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Alfred,
You have my complete empathy. I too have been suffering essentially the same as you since July 2022. I have been diagnosed with multi-level DDD, the genesis I believe was a horrific whiplash injury I suffered in 1998. I now have constant muscle spasms on the left side of my neck and intermittent pain down my arm. I have lost the cervical lordosis, so my head always feels like it is being pushed forward. I had severe nerve root compression at C6-7 that has partially resorbed, but C4-5 is bad too. Problems at literally every level and arthritis due to the wishlash injury.
I have seen multiple surgeons, with varying opinions, with some not recommending surgery. They are all good surgeons, but I don't know who to trust, nor what to do. I simply cannot explain what it has done to me mentally. I am no longer the person I was. People see the anguish on my face. I am constantly depressed and feel trapped, with the darkest of thoughts going through my head on a daily basis. I am now a functional alcoholic, struggling to continue providing for my wife and kids. If there is a higher power, I wish I would be taken in the middle of the night so that I don't have to suffer any longer. I wish you the very best Alfred.
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1 ReactionHi cyp238ress,
How are you?
I am so sorry that you are going through all this pain because I know what it feels like.
This pain never leaves you and makes you stressed and depressed.
I try to be positive, do deep breathing, relaxation techniques, take opioids, exercise lightly, use hot and cold packs but nothing works to bring down the pain.
I have also been let down by my GPs, pain management people, no one is interested in providing me relief because my case is too difficult. While I am writing I am feeling a painful stab up the left side of the neck as far as just under my left ear. At the same time my groin is tight as well as my left foot, not a nice feeling.
cyp238ress you have to fight the negative thoughts and keep going. We must keep going because while there is life there is hope.
Alfred
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2 ReactionsHi, so sorry. Are you in the US? If so, I would suggest Rothman Institute (FL, NY or Philly) or Mayo Clinic MN. I had C 3-6 ACDF in 2022. Just found out (second opinion for the constant pain) that C4-5 were never fused. Woo hoo. Now I know why all the continuous pain, headaches, muscle spasms and nerve impingement but it also means another spine surgery. Find (gentle) neck stretches from physical therapy to add to your daily regimen to see if that’ll help. Also if it’s an option, massage therapy. Best of luck.
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2 ReactionsThanks mrsr1234 for your advice.
Sorry that they forgot to fuse the C4-C5 segment,
This must be very disappointing for you.
I am not in the US but in Melbourne Australia.
The neurosurgeons here told me not to get ACDF after getting laser surgery last year in Florida which compromised my neck even further,
I am suffering from chronic neck pain, which means day and night.
It is very hard to sleep and relax. Constant stabbing inside the neck on both sides, Bad spasms, muscle contractions, nerve pain etc.
Best regards
Alfred
Why not go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN? I know you are in Australia but you did travel to the United States for your spine. You have a lot going on with your spine and being seen at Mayo might help you.
Hi bernese53,
I did go to Florida in 2023 but I was in a much better condition before Dr Deuk's surgery.
I had proper head tilt back even though I had neck pain.
After laser surgery my neck has been deteriorating.
It's been nearly 12 month since the laser operation and the C5-T1 rhizothomies and I am finding it hard to walk, do things like before,
The pain is extreme despite me taking some opioids, anti-inflammatories.
I feel the sharp pain to the sides of my neck at the rear.
I halso have pain caused my cramping muscles, I can feel hard knots in the my rear neck muscles. I am geting neuropathy, pins and needles of my feet and toes, calf muscles pain. I do not have diabetes.
Sleep is nearly impossible, walking is hard, sitting is difficult.
After the Deukspine laser surgery I am $72000 USD poorer with a lot more complications than before. I wish that I never went there, I got butchered by the neurosurgeon.
I do not think that I could fly to the US again considering it took 3 flights totalling 33 hours to get to Melbourne Florida.
The pain is too much than before the neck surgery.
The removal of disc material probably destabilised my neck.
I don't have the money anymore. My pension is just $1100 USD per month.
Unfortunately this is my situation.
Best regards
Alfred
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