Has anyone dealt successfully with Cervical stenosis without surgery?

Posted by billandri @billandri, Feb 3, 2019

I am a healthy and active 32 year old male. Last month I was diagnosed with cervical stenosis (C5-C6) after having morning finger numbness for 2 months. All 3 doctors I asked suggest surgery, either disk replacement or merging of spines. Has anyone dealt successfully with such conditions via non surgical means? Thank you.

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Profile picture for delos13 @delos13

Everything went well the hospital was awesome they gave diazpam even after I told them I took .05 mg a hr early also gave me a oxycoden and a Lyrica before surgery. Met the Dr shen before he decided he would do a extra level. So he did C3 to C7 .only drilling a hole on the right side of the lamina. Threw only 2 small incisions on the right side of my vertebrae. He did Laminomty first removing ligament flavum. The did the foraminotony which I'd cleaning up bone spurs on facet joint and did the discectomy to reduce bulging disc's. 2.5hrs on the table woke up pretty much painless. Took a couple oxycoden after surgery last night n one just a minute ago. Probably just need Tylenol after that. Feeling tired but pretty good. Thks

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And went home last night. Do not let anyone put rods n screws or acdf or laminoplasty. Dr Shen Latham NY. He's also in NYC or new jersey. You can call for a zoom meeting too. my name is Scott.

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Profile picture for delos13 @delos13

Definitely will share. looking forward to the 24th I suffered for 6 months to find the best endoscopic spine surgeon.

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Look at my post above. Definitely don't do traditional spine surgery. Endoscopy spine surgery is the only way to go Dr Shen Latham NY also in NYC n new jersey. Check Dr Shens website n health grades n you tube.

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Profile picture for Jen, Alumna Mentor @sandytoes14

@billandri Bill I'd like to direct you to a conversation taking place. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/spinal-stenosis-lumbar/?pg=4#comment-259270
Although the original post was addressing lumbar stenosis, I feel you will get a lot of good info reading the various responses.By tagging @jenniferhunter @lioness I hope for them to join in and add their experiences. My husband had 2 C Spine surgeries last year. He had herniated discs as well as stenosis.His spine is now fused from C3 - C7. Numbness due to nerve damage is still something he fights. The index finger is totally numb and twitches. Epidural did not work alone, he is now looking at RFA radio frequency ablation done at C5 level.
How long have you been experiencing problems?

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I have cervical stenosis in C-5/C-6. I've tried numerous steroid, epidural, facet injections with no results. Finally did Rhizotomy that actually made symptoms worse.
I'm having a EMG/NCS/NCV next week. If is shows nerve compression I don't know what to do.
Unfortunately I have spondylitis throughout entire spine with multiple hemangiomas that showed up less than a years time.

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Profile picture for cheryl46 @cheryl46

I have cervical stenosis in C-5/C-6. I've tried numerous steroid, epidural, facet injections with no results. Finally did Rhizotomy that actually made symptoms worse.
I'm having a EMG/NCS/NCV next week. If is shows nerve compression I don't know what to do.
Unfortunately I have spondylitis throughout entire spine with multiple hemangiomas that showed up less than a years time.

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I have severe cervical stenosis c3 to c7. I've been to 7 neurosurgeon/orthopedic spine surgeons all top rated. 4 wanted to 4 level acdf,1 wanted to do 7 level laminectomy. 1 said 4 level laminoplasty. 1 more said 7 posterior spacers n 2 level acdf. All above very bad choices. I finally found a world class endoscopic spine surgeon Dr Shen Latham NY also in NYC n new jersey. I did mbb injections in occipital nerves to relief headaches then did radio frequency ablation on both occipital nerves on left n right side that help headaches n pain between shoulder blades. 2 days ago Dr Shen did surgery in Amsterdam NY. He did a 4 level cervical endoscopic laminotomy and foraminotomy. No hardware or fusion. True minimal endoscopic spine surgery outpatient. No pain after surgery. Took pain medications 1 day. Now just taking Tylenol, Gabapentin, cellebrex, icing. No neck collar. Doing much better still sore. Endoscopic spine surgery is the most minimal spine surgery there is .only a small percentage of spine doctors do this because of the years of training it takes. All above surgeries where invented in the late 50s all open surgery with fusion not good. Find a true endoscopic spine surgeon where you live or check Dr Shen Shen-Spine website or heathgrades or you tube. He cares about his patients. Send your mri disc and get a zoom appointment. He's the real deal. Good luck n God bless all people suffering from spine issues.

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Profile picture for delos13 @delos13

I have severe cervical stenosis c3 to c7. I've been to 7 neurosurgeon/orthopedic spine surgeons all top rated. 4 wanted to 4 level acdf,1 wanted to do 7 level laminectomy. 1 said 4 level laminoplasty. 1 more said 7 posterior spacers n 2 level acdf. All above very bad choices. I finally found a world class endoscopic spine surgeon Dr Shen Latham NY also in NYC n new jersey. I did mbb injections in occipital nerves to relief headaches then did radio frequency ablation on both occipital nerves on left n right side that help headaches n pain between shoulder blades. 2 days ago Dr Shen did surgery in Amsterdam NY. He did a 4 level cervical endoscopic laminotomy and foraminotomy. No hardware or fusion. True minimal endoscopic spine surgery outpatient. No pain after surgery. Took pain medications 1 day. Now just taking Tylenol, Gabapentin, cellebrex, icing. No neck collar. Doing much better still sore. Endoscopic spine surgery is the most minimal spine surgery there is .only a small percentage of spine doctors do this because of the years of training it takes. All above surgeries where invented in the late 50s all open surgery with fusion not good. Find a true endoscopic spine surgeon where you live or check Dr Shen Shen-Spine website or heathgrades or you tube. He cares about his patients. Send your mri disc and get a zoom appointment. He's the real deal. Good luck n God bless all people suffering from spine issues.

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Hi @delos13, I looked up Dr Shen and I *love* what I see. This is the doctor I have been looking for! I as well suffer from stenosis & osteophytes from C4-C7 and have delayed surgery as much as I can because I cannot fathom having fusion or disc replacement of my cervical spine (which is what my HCP recommended 4 years ago). Can you please share an update on your recovery now that it's been about a month since your surgery? And thank you again for sharing your story and findings!

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Profile picture for delos13 @delos13

I have severe cervical stenosis c3 to c7. I've been to 7 neurosurgeon/orthopedic spine surgeons all top rated. 4 wanted to 4 level acdf,1 wanted to do 7 level laminectomy. 1 said 4 level laminoplasty. 1 more said 7 posterior spacers n 2 level acdf. All above very bad choices. I finally found a world class endoscopic spine surgeon Dr Shen Latham NY also in NYC n new jersey. I did mbb injections in occipital nerves to relief headaches then did radio frequency ablation on both occipital nerves on left n right side that help headaches n pain between shoulder blades. 2 days ago Dr Shen did surgery in Amsterdam NY. He did a 4 level cervical endoscopic laminotomy and foraminotomy. No hardware or fusion. True minimal endoscopic spine surgery outpatient. No pain after surgery. Took pain medications 1 day. Now just taking Tylenol, Gabapentin, cellebrex, icing. No neck collar. Doing much better still sore. Endoscopic spine surgery is the most minimal spine surgery there is .only a small percentage of spine doctors do this because of the years of training it takes. All above surgeries where invented in the late 50s all open surgery with fusion not good. Find a true endoscopic spine surgeon where you live or check Dr Shen Shen-Spine website or heathgrades or you tube. He cares about his patients. Send your mri disc and get a zoom appointment. He's the real deal. Good luck n God bless all people suffering from spine issues.

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@delos13 I recently joined this group and came across your post. Thank you for sharing your experience. I am meeting Dr Shen in NYC next week and hope he feels I am a good candidate for endoscopic cervical spine surgery. I had traditional, open lumbar spine surgery 4 years ago and am still struggling with the pain and limited mobility. I saw 2 surgeons, both recommended traditional surgery at multiple levels. After my previous experience I could not imagine ever having spine surgery again. I feel so lucky to have been introduced to endoscopic surgery and to get an appointment with an expert as Dr. Shen.
How are you feeling now? How is the pain level ? Are you continuing to need pain management or other treatment?
Please, anyone considering spine surgery, research endoscopic surgery for yourself. There are no guarantees, but arm yourself with all the information available and speak with a trusted physician before making a
decision. I will keep you posted on my journey.

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