Cervical arthritis

[Catrin]

MRI in the morning, I reluctantly agreed to it. As active and stubborn as I am, I figured we had better figure out if I've any nerve problems (my doctor is a bit concerned about this) in my neck. The cost of the MRI is better than finding out the hard way... At least there isn't a co-pay for the bone density test.

There is still swelling on the sides of my throat and some muscle spasms, but the neck strain is starting to feel a bit better. Then again, I started taking muscle relaxers 4 days ago...but I choose to believe my neck is calming down...but I won't stop the drugs just yet

I still have the goal of mountain biking before the snow flies...hopefully we will have a LATE snow this year

[Roadtrip]

Thinking of you Cat.

Shannon

[Catrin]

I got the call today from my doctor's office on the results of the MRI for my cervical spine....

degenerated disks (C5, C6)
bulging disk
bony protrusion pressing on a nerve

The word "surgery" was suggested...but apparently there is an injection therapy that might work to shrink the protrusion (how would that work?) Obviously there is much to be considered, and I see my doctor next Wed morning.

They found other things as well, but my brain pretty much had shut down by that point. No wonder my neck has been bothering me in recent months, and here I thought it was stress

[OakLeaf]

Oh, man. Hoping the least invasive options can give you relief.

[Crankin]

Get a second (or third) opinion, Catrin.

[Blueberry]

Sending positive, healing vibes your way.

Crankin has given you good advice!

[Catrin]

Get a second (or third) opinion, Catrin.

Most certainly, Crankin! There will be NO surgery until or unless more than one (or two) specialists convince me that it is necessary. These days there are so many alternative approaches and they will be exhausted.

I know my doctor is concerned about the possible consequences of that bone spur pressing on that nerve but outside of odd sensations in my arm when I walk and increasing numbness in my arm it isn't that noticeable. Some of that has been there for a long time...I don't know how dangerous nerve impingement in the neck can be, so I guess I need to educate myself.

[goldfinch]

Good luck in figuring out the best option for you. Take care!

[Trek420]

I got the call today from my doctor's office on the results of the MRI for my cervical spine....

degenerated disks (C5, C6)
bulging disk
bony protrusion pressing on a nerve

The word "surgery" was suggested...but apparently there is an injection therapy that might work to shrink the protrusion (how would that work?) Obviously there is much to be considered, and I see my doctor next Wed morning.

They found other things as well, but my brain pretty much had shut down by that point. No wonder my neck has been bothering me in recent months, and here I thought it was stress

Get the book "Treat your own neck" by Robin McKenzie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgl3Qud_GV0 and find a McKenzie therapist in your area. http://www.mckenziemdt.org/ The injection therapy does nothing for the bone. You can't shrink bone with an injection. The injection may shrink the nerve.

They either have to remove the bone or ... you can correct your posture which may keep the nerve and bone lined up properly.

Source of knowledge: If I was a horse they'd shoot me (disclosure; no horses were hurt in this post). I have a compression fractured spine, torn ACL (both knees), torn meniscus (both knees) and arthritis from the ears down from an impact sport. You're doing the right thing which is get your bike fit to you and keep moving.

We've pretty much all got arthritis after 20 or so especially if you're an athlete. However since you're truly having pain see if you can find a certified McKenzie therapist in your area first before exploring further choices.

[Catrin]

Thanks for the book recommendation Trek and I will check it out! That post was about a year ago, and it turned out that my pain and discomfort was much more from the whiplash injury than the disk/arthritis problems. The injections really helped a lot with my symptoms, and then I went to a great physical therapist who helped me a lot. There was so much going on with my neck that my doctor (osteopath) wasn't sure if the pain was from the disc problems or the whiplash. Turned out to be the whiplash, hands down

A year later we've learned that my whiplash injury still isn't quite healed - it was a severe injury. I've learned how to deal with it however, and I am always working to strengthen that area and to do things that are neck friendly. Thankfully I didn't need more than that first set of injections - the dr who gave them warned me if I didn't get the right therapist that he would be seeing me again...

[snapdragen]

Thanks for the book recommendation Trek and I will check it out! That post was about a year ago, and it turned out that my pain and discomfort was much more from the whiplash injury than the disk/arthritis problems. The injections really helped a lot with my symptoms, and then I went to a great physical therapist who helped me a lot. There was so much going on with my neck that my doctor (osteopath) wasn't sure if the pain was from the disc problems or the whiplash. Turned out to be the whiplash, hands down

A year later we've learned that my whiplash injury still isn't quite healed - it was a severe injury. I've learned how to deal with it however, and I am always working to strengthen that area and to do things that are neck friendly. Thankfully I didn't need more than that first set of injections - the dr who gave them warned me if I didn't get the right therapist that he would be seeing me again...

Catrin - I have the book, did nothing for me. It's yours if you want it.

[Catrin]

Catrin - I have the book, did nothing for me. It's yours if you want it.

I will send you a PM, I can always pass it along once I've read it. Thanks!