I was wondering who else might have cervical stenosis or had a ruptured disc? I had no idea I had cervical stenosis until I ruptured a disc this past Aug, I’m currently undergoing steroid shots to try to get the disc off my spinal cord. It’s 3 shots, then if that doesn’t work,, surgery. I had developed numbness in both hands in my fingertips,,,, I did get the feeling back after the first shot in my left,,, I just had my second shot Dec 14,, and my 3 rd scheduled for Jan 11. The surgery will be an acdf,, thru the front of the neck ,,, and remove the herniated disc. And hopefully they can remove the bone spurs that is causing the spinal stenosis… going thru the front heals faster,,, I’m hoping that they don’t have to go through the back and fusing me there… I’ve heard it’s a very rough go. At the present I feel pain in my shoulder blade and I can’t hardly walk without pain in my neck,,, I wear a soft cervical collar and take baby steps on even ground,, if I misstep,, I wrench my neck and hurt all day. I take tramadol to try to help.

All I can say is, be very comfortable with your neurologist. If there is any doubt about your treatment, get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. I had a ruptured disc and two Dr.s wanted to do a very invasive surgery requiring vertebrae fusion. Another recommended a microdiscetomy, therapy and possible fusion in the future. There were a lot of limitations with the fusion, not so much with a discectomy and a natural fusion. My choice was the discectomy and natural healing process. When I went in for surgery, I could not walk. I had to crawl to the bathroom. The day of my procedure, I walked out of the hospital under my own power within a few hours of being stitched up. 6 months of therapy and some on and off pain for a couple years if I did something stupid and I was in pretty good shape. That was in 2010. I still have a bit of arthritic pain with weather changes or overworking my lower back, but I'm happy with the results. It seems your issue is on the top end, so I don't know if my situation helps much, being on the lumbar end. But, that's my story.

The neurologist that I have been referred to has a very good reputation of doing a really good job,, very experienced. I’ve talked to several people who have had him, healthgrades( a report card on doctors you can find online) gives him an almost 5 star rating. And I posted in an area group if anyone has any experience with him,,, and about 20-30 responses came back positive. So I’m sure the doctor is quite competent. And knows his business. Gotta watch for some predators who claim to have technology that other doctors don’t have,, I was in a support group on fb( which im no longer in, because there was no support, just depression) and there was a doctor advertising how his surgery was the best,,, when I asked him how his technology removed bone spurs from inside the vertebrae,,, the answer he gave me was to send him a copy of my mri and we could discuss it.

foxkidd, I had 3 herniated discs between C-4 and C-7 in 2016. Frontal surgery with synthetic spacers, fusion and internal reinforcement with titanium is the only reason I can even sleep now. I still have some numbness and tingling in a couple of fingers on my left hand due to permanent nerve damage. Agree with trapperkeck*s advice about choosing your neurosurgeon. I happened to luck-up and got a good one. Rehab was a snap and short.

4 full ruptures , never had surgery. did have traction , traction got the weight off my spine and things healed

my back problems almost always got worse in January , Feb , March when I wasn't getting outside enough and getting enough activity my core muscles would get weak and my spine took the load.
I would be laid out for a while and then over about 5 weeks of rest that was typically how far out I could get a cortisone shot things got better on their own , I was also younger then.

I have some numbness in my right leg 22 years later

sounds strange but standing has been a huge help it helps keep the core muscles while I am working long hours not really getting much movement at all I have been standing since 2009 I have a desk job ,but built a standing desk and worked up to standing all day been standing all day for about 13 years now.

I had a Microdiscectomy in November of last year on l5 . The disc total blow out and was pushing on sciatic nerve to the point of almost not being able to walk the pain was unbearable. I found a good neurologist and had it fixed. I tried all the shots with no relief and pain meds were not working anymore except tramadol but can’t take very long because it kills your liver . After surgery I was great for 5 weeks no pain and healing good. I then did something stupid and ripped the muscles off my spine that were reattaching them selves back to my spine not good . After that I took it easy and I had 189 micro shots in my muscles to try to get them to loosen up witch did not work . Eventually I had to go back to work and I found that the more I worked them the better I got . For me walking was my friend the more I walked the better I felt . I am now back to trapping on a snow go and living with very little pain and no drugs but my back will let me no if I am pushing to hard. In all it had its bad days but was not that bad and well worth it .

I have had two back surgeries. Picked up my bird dog the other day and loaded him in my pickup. Its back. went to the VA er this afternoon. gave me some drugs and sent me home. Few hours later i went back. just got home. Gave me a shot of dilauded. Gave me some patchs. I am higher than a Georgia pine right now but I am having a cigar and sitting at this puter. Hope I dont need another surgery. pain is awful again. Not looking forward to this shot wearing off.

Procedure through the front of the neck to remove part of the vertebrae and bone spurs is called a corpectomy. My father in law had it done when he was 85 and made a full recovery. Said the pain in his hip where they removed a piece of bone to repair the cervical vertebrae caused more pain and discomfort than the neck surgery. Prior to surgery he was almost bed ridden, had to use two hand to pick up a glass. Got full use of his hands back right away and was able to walk again. Lived for another 9 years after that.

I am 4 months post op C3 and C4. Never knew it was my disc my neck never hurt. I stumbled when I walked, was numb from the shoulders down and my feet were burning hot- that was pre op. The MRI showed I wasnt getting much life down through the spinal cord below the damaged area, which was up high. I still have numbness, just now have been able to button shirts and zip pants. I still stagger when I walk and have a great deal of weakness. My surgeon told me 6-12 months for recovery, with a 50 percent chance of recovery since I waited too long to get checked. Right now my guess is I am at 10 percent recovery, am hoping for 50 percent. Anything else you need to know ask- Im a fresh subject.

I’m pretty much in trouble… the herniated disc would be the easy part…. From everything I’ve seen… but I have cervical stenosis in my spinal canal …. I have not had the chance to have an in depth conversation with the neurosurgeon… I didn’t fully understand my condition,,,, all he said was I had a ruptured disc, get my 3 epidurals. If they don’t work,, it’s acdf surgery,,,, and don’t get in a wreck. When I went over my report, trying to understand,,, I’m not sure they can fix what is going on thru an acdf surgery. This is what I’m looking at….

I blew a lower back one 36 years ago, didn't do surgery.
Tobacco is the worse thing for the disk rebuilding.
I have slight nerve damage in right leg, my buns are slightly numb it seems, still today
I have a carpet cleaning company, supposed to be real hard on a back, I'm still doing ok

I have spinal stenosis. Got disability at about age 60. Hasn’t gotten any worse.

Well the dilaudid wore off but the pain is MUCH improved. I think it made everything relax. Left leg feels weak again. Same problem I had before. Actually fell on a c o c k e d pistol some years ago. Double on coons. Shot the one on my right c o c k e d the hammer back and took the gun in my left hand, shifted my weight to my left leg which promptly collapsed. Bullet went through my belt but lodged in my butt cheek. So not a terrible injury. Just scary. I will call them tomorrow. I am hoping it heals a bit and more surgery is not needed.

Anyway that dilaudid is good stuff. Got some sleep finally after 3 days of none

I had 2 ruptures disc and excruciating pain. Got the surgery through the front of the neck and fused together. I'm happy I got it done. Very little pain ever again.

I ruptured a disc in my low back (L4/S1). I dealt with it for about 16 years and then finally did surgery (discectomy). The surgery didn't do much as the damage was done and I waited too long.

Stay away from opioids if possible. I found that rest was not helpful and that I felt better when I was active (active, but not overdoing it).

Good luck

Foxx kid my gal has had 2 back surgeries in 10 years and is a mess they just can't seem to get it right I don't know what you are going through but I live with someone who does . Like I told Chris I think most back drs are quacks probably not true but I go by what I see with her.

Alll I know at this point is that from what I hear, cervical stenosis only gets worse,, and doctors don’t normally do surgery until you are losing function in an extremity or losing control of your bowels/ bladder,,, and sometimes surgery doesn’t fix anything. I know they can take care of the rupture disc without issue, and most of the time folks come out pretty good. I’m just a little bitter, I’m only 52.. too young,,,, I worked hard my life like a man is sposed to,,,, and now I’m rewarded with this. ( sorry for the rant)

I’m just hoping that my trapping days aren’t over.

Sorry man Chris was only 54 when this started all she wants is her life back