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Looking at neck surgery despite neurosurgeon's hesitation...
This has been a long, frustrating process....last year in August, I woke one day with my ring and pinky fingers of my left hand all tingly and numb. That was over eight months ago, and it has been constant ever since. For several weeks, that was my only symptom. I tried chiropractic, bracing my elbow, nerve gliding exercises - all to no avail. I saw an ortho, did PT, and had an MRI that revealed herniated discs at C5-6, and C6-7 (this one being worse). Saw a neurosurgeon who said it wasn't "bad enough" to be causing my symptoms, which by then included left elbow and shoulder pain, and sometimes neck pain. I went to a different ortho and had ultrasound of my elbow, elbow injection, and later a shoulder/brachial plexus MRI which was clear. He said it had to be my neck, but referred me to a neurologist. She did an EMG (twice), and ultimately said it had to be my neck. They also both tried to refer me to Mayo, but I was denied both times. I also had an epidural in my neck in that time, which did nothing for me. By this time, my entire left hand, arm, shoulder, neck, and into the right arm are causing me problems. So back to the neurosurgeon I go. Had a 2nd neck MRI which showed no change from the first (these were about 4 months apart). She still says my symptoms can't be from the discs. So I went to a vascular surgeon to discuss/test for thoracic outlet syndrome. Ultrasound showed no signs of vascular involvement, and he concluded that I probably do have some neurogenic TOS going on, but my neck is the initial culprit and that needs fixing first. Again, back to the neurosurgeon, and I now have an appointment next week to discuss surgery options.
Anyone had fusion done when the surgeon wasn't sure or totally on board, and it DID fix the issues? I'm torn, as I would obviously rather not have surgery, but I've exhausted all other possible causes, and I can't live like this. I am left-handed, and haven't had proper use of my hand in 8 months. I have tingling, pins and needles in my hands and arms (left is worse), plus shooting nerve pain that goes through both shoulders and biceps/triceps. I can't grip anything and can do almost nothing without aggrevating the nerves. Things like simply wiping the table after a meal or driving my kids to school are painful. Just being awake is painful! My neck burns often and I have at least mild headaches about 50% of the time. I have lost mobility in my neck, can't turn my head but maybe 60% to either side, and cannot look up or tip my head back as it creates intolerable pressure. And it all started with tingly fingers. I'm not sure if I should seek a 2nd (neurosurgeon) opinion....they will either agree with my current surgeon that my neck doesn't seem "bad enough", which leaves me with no other options....or they will say that yes, I do need surgery, which I am now looking at anyway.
Sorry that was so long! Anyone have any pearls of wisdom or similar stories to share? Thank you!
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Hi @radar614, I’m sorry to hear about your pain and I feel for you. I tried various treatments, had injections and ended up having two surgeries, but I’m still in pain, although it’s a different kind of pain from what I had before. I had a problem between C3 and C6, I have titanium between C3 and C6 (plates, cages, screws, disc). I’m not the right person to ask for advice. But before deciding to have the operation, I consulted six neurosurgeons. My advice would be to at least seek a few second opinions. Two of my neurosurgeons were against the operation, four were in favour, and of the four in favour, three had different approaches. It wasn’t an easy decision… but I think it’s important to consult more than one specialist before undergoing cervical surgery. Good luck, stay hopeful, and a big big hug!
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2 ReactionsSo sorry you are going through this ordeal. In my opinion, I would never have a surgeon operate on something they are not sure about. I had 4 different 2nd opinions before I settled on a doctor (with the help of my pcp). I was like you 4 different doctors, 4 different opinions. 1st-surgery within 2 weeks, 2nd-surgery then a 2nd surgery, 3rd wasn't really sure and said he "guessed" he could just watch me, 4th has been my doctor for 3 years now. I have not had surgery (and hope to never). YOU need to do what's best for you, perhaps you could have your pcp assist in making your decision. I might suggest that you select 3-4 specialists from different medical institutes and focus on what they have to say. I would not go with a doctor who was not sure of themself. I wish you relief and the insight to make the best decision. Best wishes.
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2 ReactionsGet a second opinion from another neurologist, or better yet get a referral to see a neurosurgeon. It took 4 neurologists and 2 neurosurgeons a total of 8+ years to get myself to the point that I'm currently at. The first one I saw did EMG and conductivity testing, only to tell me that I didn't have neuropathy, but he couldn't tell me what was causing my problems.
On my first visit to a neurosurgeon he looked at my MRI's and told me that I needed to have surgery on my neck. He did a spinal fusion procedure at the C5-C6 level using plates, screws, and a piece of donor bone.
About 18 months later my symptoms began to reappear, and I was referred to another neurosurgeon because the previous one retired and closed his practice. He did another fusion procedure at the C7-T1 level, again with plates and screws as well as a piece of donor bone.
See another doctor and request new MRI's of your entire spine if at all possible.
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1 Reaction@mrmacabre Thank you! Yeah, ironically the EMG I had done last October showed nerve damage/issues, but the one in February showed only mild carpal tunnel 🙁 It is a neurosurgeon who has twice now told me my MRI shows the discs aren't bad enough to have nerve compression, but since all else has failed or been basically ruled out, she will do surgery. It doesn't sit well with me, but I also feel like having an MRI laying down may not show the same as seeing it upright, since laying down feels better. I also feel like the vascular surgeon really breezed through my appointment and I'm not convinced that thoracic outlet syndrome couldn't still fit more of my symptoms (especially now being bilateral?). Anyway, thank you!
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2 ReactionsIts your neck. Get another spine Dr. a fellowship trained spine surgeon. Neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon. Good luck!!!
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