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Cervical Spinal Stenosis: Whom should I see?
I have been having pain in my right shoulder/arm for over a year. I also have been having upper back pain and pain under my left breast/rib area (that pain has been going on for over 5 years). I had a cervical MRI in October 2018 and it shows stenosis, bulging disks, and bone spurs. Here is part of the MRI report that my doctor gave me:
1. C3-4: Posterior marginal osteophytes most pronounced on the RIGHT with mile stenosis RIGHT lateral recess zone. Uncovertebral joint osteophytes on the RIGHT with mile stenosis of the RIGHT foramen.
2. C4-5: Slight posterior annular protrusion and marginal spurs on the LEFT. No significant stenosis.
3. C5-6: Mild posterior annular protrusion and endplate spurring most pronounced in the lateral recess zones LEFT slightly more so than RIGHT mildly narrows the lateral recess zones bilaterally. Central AP diameter of the canal 8.2 mm.
4. c6-7: Disc mildly narrowed with Modic type II signal in the endplates. Mild disc protrusion. Central AP diameter of the canal 8.1 mm.
I was sent to physical therapy and have been going twice a week since October. The shoulder pain is somewhat better and I now have much better range of motion in my shoulder (still can't really put my hand behind my back). The upper back pain is actually worse and is now radiating into my upper chest/pec area, sometimes on the left and sometimes on the right. That area is even very tender to the touch when I'm having pain. The below left breast/rib pain seems slightly worse as well. It also comes and goes and very often is extremely uncomfortable at night and sometimes have to sleep half sitting up (I've been using a bean bag as a pillow to prop myself up.
My doctor didn't seem very concerned about the MRI results and said I should get good relief from PT. Here's my issue - I'm going on 4 months of PT and not seeing as much relief as I'd hoped and today I was doing some "Googling" about stenosis and read that normal AP diameter should be approximately 17 mm and anything below 10 mm is called "absolute stenosis" - mine is 8.1 mm and 8.2 mm. That seems like more than "nothing".
Should I see someone else about this issue? I don't want to jump right to seeing a surgeon, but I'm not sure who I should see - or should I just go back to my PCP and ask her these questions?
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Am planning a cervical spine surgery for multiple bulging discs, pain, bone spurs, one vertebra has migrated and my "reverse" C curve is gone, beginning to look down as I can't hold my head up straight to to pain and muscle spasms.
I have a neurologist who is a pain management specialist with my ortho group, have shots in my muscle knots and intervertebral injections of pain meds; no steroids as I don't want the effect of steroids taking over my bone production.
If I might ask, how was the surgery; did it fix anything, or may any pain better?
I only take Tylenol, Cymbalta for pain.
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2 ReactionsIt did help some but, just like you I have multiple things going on in my neck, I'm only 45 so, before resulting to a second surgery I was wanting to know if any medication type regime's worked as I've tried a few combinations and physical therapy.
I'm scheduled to see a pain management Dr but, it's a waiting list.
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1 ReactionI'm 70 yrs old and in April/2025, I had an anterior cervical discectomy first and posterior a week later.
Anterior was very easy to go through. Not much pain a healed great.
If you already had the posterior, I'd say the worst is over by far. Minimum for pain.
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1 ReactionYes, I've already had posterior, worst part was the recovery, very sore and stiff, not sure how yours went, I had great care but took a while to heal due to them going through the back of the neck and having to disect through muscle more so than tissue.
I guess I'm hesitant because I had the worst part done first ha ha. I just hate to go through another surgery too, posterior was my first surgical procedure I had ever had done so I was hoping for alternate route for a while until I can muster up the courage again.
So, Cymbalta and Tylenol work best for you? I'm on naproxen and a muscle relaxer but, because I've not had the second surgery I'm still in some pain.
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1 ReactionI can only take Tylenol. The doctor did give me a bit of something for pain right after the surgery, but I don't remember what it was. Posterior us definitely the most painful to heal
You got this!! Stop the fretting. Anterior is nothing like posterior.
I have, now, just started injections in my lower back
It's all a process.
Yes, it is. Thank you!
Is physical therapy an option?
i wish you the best . For what its worth, and we all have different scenarios, i think:
I have degenerative disc esp neck, headaches and pain , and numbness down my arms.
For me, the best and favored treatment is 1. neck traction over the door, 2. forwad fold yoga poses with light traction and 3. rest. PT visits when possible, and am looking into acupuncture. love my Bed buddies, and muscle relaxant rx.
Also have had to do these management tools daily, not a once and done, do them before the heavy pain sets in
best to you all
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3 ReactionsI'm new here and having surgery at Phoenix Mayo Clinic on the 30 th, just about a week away. I know so little about it all except it's essential. I'm a 75 year old woman with C4/5 and 5/6 discs getting removed and two cages put in somewhere. The info has been so brief in one 15 minute visit with the surgeon and I'm now scared. I have had so many health issues lately from my Lupus/mixed connective tissue problems, ddd and severe headaches, PVC's that drive me crazy and blood pressure ups and downs, mostly downs.
I'm hoping to get through surgery then attend to the rest of the story. I'd like to know how the recovery is from this anterior approached "release of my spinal cord" and what to expect pain wise. I'm alone and starting to feel afraid.
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8 ReactionsYou're going through a very difficult time. Please try to speak to the Surgeon.
Tell him/her of your fears ... which should not be 'pooh-poohed'. Know your
friends at Mayo Clinic Connect are wrapping 'our' arms around you and give
you gentle hugs. Good Luck Lesley and you're not alone. God is with you.
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