HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Disc Disease

default
Posted on Fri, 5 May 2017
Question: Can you explain to me the different procedures for the neck.. I am having a double facet block into the neck..have degenerative disc disease..reverse lordosis and c5c6 ostephyte causing effacement of the CSF anterior to the spinal cord.with nerve impingment..there is no eletrophysiological evidence of cervical radiculopathy or neuropathy in either arm.can you explain what a facet block is and it's complications..can you also explain what hypertonia of the triapiaz and rhomboids muscles are thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Injection of anesthetic/steroid drugs into affected joint.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HealthcareMagic.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

A facet joint injection involves injecting a small amount of local anesthetic and steroid medication through a syringe usually under imaging guidance, which can anesthetize the facet joints and block the pain, caused by facet joint degeneration.

The goal is to relieve the pain and to give more tolerance to procedures such physical therapy.

Hypertonia of muscles refers to increased muscle tension and decreased ability to stretch.

Usually, it indicates problems with motor pathways of the nervous system.

Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards.



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Thanks...how can hypertonia be controlled ..i have extermely bad muscle spasms in the traiziuz and rhomboids spasms..could this be cause by the c5c6 disc protrusion. It the Facet joint injection going to help this. Also it is advisable to get facet joint at the same time on either side left and right or it best to conduct the procedure bilaterially... would the hypertonia of muscles be refered as nerve damage or Neuropatic pain.. thannks so much..also is the Facet joint procedure dangerous
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
facet joint injection should improve spasms too.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Muscles spasms may be related to spinal cord compression, relieving this compression may relieve spasms too.

Facet joint injections are performed both, unilaterally and bilaterally at the same time, it depends on your Doctor's opinion and imaging findings, these injections should improve the pain and muscles spasms too.

Possible, but rare adverse effects of facet joint injections include allergic reactions, minor infections, bleeding at the injection site, nerve damage.

As I said before, hypertonia is caused mainly by central motor pathways dysfunction, in your case, probably spinal compression on the neck.

Hope this helps.

Take care.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
would this be dangerous and also would this be referred as Neuropathic. Also what is the difference between Neuropathic and Nerogenic.thanks.would whiplash have causied this hypertonia or overtreating in Physiotherapy of the tissues,,thanks,,also how many injections are you meant to have a year.would a prf injection help in this case..could this be spondolytis more than the disc.i have severe upper extremity pain...in both arms and hypertonic rhomboids and triapiaz muscles bilaterially...do you think any further tests should be done..i am really concerned about this..my surgeron has offered surgery. c5c6 spinal fusion..presenting with no neurological signs..thanks for all your help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Main danger is progression.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Neuropathy usually is used as a term to describe disorders of the peripheral nerves, neurogenic is a more general term used to describe issues arising from the nervous system.

The main danger of this condition is progressing and worsening of symptoms.

Both, whiplash and degenerative changes have contributed to this, physical therapy should improve your condition.

Generally, is considered sufficient up to three injections in a year.

Surgery is indicated also in cases without moderate to severe neurological deficits when the pain and muscles spasms failed to improve after conservative treatment.

Imaging studies results also are considered in decision making.

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)
Excellent Answer and very clear. May I ask if the Injection's that I get (Bilaterial) ..does this count for two injection's..per year ..also what is your opinion on pulsed radio frequency...i did have this done on the left hand side last year but this did not work...the upper back spasms are really bad along with the giddy feeling in the tripiaz. and rhomboid s muscles.. would the tightness in the arms be related to this disc issue or could this be related to spondolytis which has appeared on my scans...is surgery normally successful..i have had a few opinions ...my main surgeon did say that the tightness in the arms could be related to severe nerve compression..a neurosurgeon said I would wake up feeling no better...thanks for your expert advice.i meant to say that I have extensive physiotherapy treatment for the past three years and this treatment has plateaud...my physiotherapist can do no more...have degenerative disc disease in the back also
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Imaging studies results are necessary to be reviewed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Injections could be done up to three times yearly, in both sides.

Since you didn't improved after physical therapy and conservative measures, surgery should be considered.

It is necessary to upload the MRI, or CT scan results or images, this way I could understand better your condition and give you a more appropriate answer.

Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4493 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Disc Disease

Brief Answer: Injection of anesthetic/steroid drugs into affected joint. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HealthcareMagic. I have read your question and understand your concerns. A facet joint injection involves injecting a small amount of local anesthetic and steroid medication through a syringe usually under imaging guidance, which can anesthetize the facet joints and block the pain, caused by facet joint degeneration. The goal is to relieve the pain and to give more tolerance to procedures such physical therapy. Hypertonia of muscles refers to increased muscle tension and decreased ability to stretch. Usually, it indicates problems with motor pathways of the nervous system. Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further. Kind regards.