Suggest Treatment For Pain Due To Cervical Spondylosis

Posted on Tue, 7 Oct 2014

Question: I have had 5 cervical spine surgeries; the first was a unsuccessful attempt to fuse c66-7 in 1993. Unfortunately, my doctor didn't believe that the fusion didn't take, and in 1994, I had another surgery and c-5-6, were also unstable. As a result, the doctor attempted to fuse the two levels with bone graph and metal wires. The pain continued to be severe; I finally had a successful fusion in 2001. My pain was bearable until another accident in 2012. Since then, I have been in severe pain most of the time; my symptoms are worse when I wake up. A MRI after the accident showed shows diffuse cervical spondylosis, most pronounced at C8-T-1 in conjunction with buckling of the disc and mild bilateral facet arthropathy results in mild to moderate yer u I have a small stable syrinx in the rightward spinal cord at c6-7=leavel cat leavein the am.tpall ,andieI t theatley .s to fuse

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Facet joint block may help

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. My suggestion for you is as follows-
1. Physiotherapy and cervical traction will help.
2. May discuss with your doctor regarding facet joint block therapy.
3. Ibuprofen along with muscle relaxant like thiocolchicoside helps.
Do you have radiating pain in upper limbs?
You may send the latest MRI report to help you better.
Looking forward to your reply.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (7 minutes later)

I have new insurance and have not had a MRI, or seen a neurosurgeon in 13 months. My new primary care doctor needs to order the MRI: I am seeing her Friday. Unfortunately it will take some time to get the studies authorized and scheduled. Are there symptoms I should be aware of that require a visit to a ER or Urgent Care?

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As follows

Detailed Answer:
Hello
It's good to see you.
I have gone through your reply carefully and you should visit the ER immediately, if you have-
1. Sudden onset of weakness of grip in upper limb along with radiating pain and numbness in upper limb.
2. Loss of bladder and bowel control.
Hope this helps.
Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (1 minute later)

Thank you for responding.
Yes, I do get radiating pain in my shoulders and right arm. I tried facet joint block therapy a few years ago; it only helped for a month. I take Ibuprofen,
Aleve, Flexeril and or Tizadine. They all help to some degree, but not enough. Also, the pain on the right side of my neck is so severe when I wake up, it is hard to get out of bed, probably in part because the blood can't circulate through the hard knots in my neck.

Can you get thiocolchicoside in the US?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Drug pregablin along with muscle relaxant helps

Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are welcome.
For pain in shoulder region along with early morning pain you may have drug like pregablin (Lyrica) along with muscle relaxant thiocolchicoside (myoril) beside Ibuprofen.Hot water fomentation and local pain killer gel application helps. You may do gentle neck exercises with in the limit of pain.
The muscle relaxant drug thiocolchicoside is available in USA,most likely by brand name myoril.
Take care
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar