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Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Changes In The Cervical Spine
Question: My sister-in-law, Mrs XXXXXXX XXXXXXX in Belgium has developed an acute pain in the neck, left shoulder and in left arm due to hernia between upper vertebras. As per the CT scans doctors are suggesting the disc is slipping out between two vertebras which is pressurizing the nerve and causing a serious pain. The pain was so severe that they had to call emergency service last week. She had this pain in last week of December as well. The emergency doctor suggested muscular pain and gave the pain killers.
There is no history of accident or serious trauma etc.
Currently she is on pain killers and taking as much rest as possible. The neurosurgeon is suggesting to do surgery OR to take the injection (it is called Epidurale Infiltration cervical, ERA). We took the appointment for the injection for 18th February. Meantime we would like to have some other opinions whether this can be treated with any other alternatives, is there any harm in taking the injection, can yoga help or is there any medicine to cure etc.
The CT scan report (which is in Dutch but the nearest possible English translation) is attached as well. CT Scan can be viewed by :
1. Click on weblink :
https://beelden.zna.be/Pacsportal/loginaccesscode.aspx
2. Log in (in capital letters) : EHQL64YVY
3. Password : 05608
All the details of the CT scan and reports are available on this portal.
I have also mentioned below the English translation for the same:
"Clinical information: herniated disc?
CT volume centered at the levels of C4 to C7. findings:
Normal bone structure.
Saved vertebral heights.
Good wervelalignatie.
Normal discusaflijning level at C2-C3. Light uncartrose C2 C3 right with slight narrowing of the neuroforamen.
Light median discbulging C3-C4. Light uncartrosetekens with slight narrowing of the foramina.
Normal discusaflijning at level C4-C5. The foramina C4-C5 seem still preserved.
Light C5-C6 disc osteoarthritis. There is a degenerative disco osteofytaire bulging especially para median left with asymmetrical impression on durazak.
Light uncartrose C5-C6 right with slight narrowing of the neuroforamen.
Moderate osteoarthritis disc C6-C7. There is a definite localized disco osteofytaire bulging median - para median left with significant impression on the durazak.
Lichtgradige uncarthrosis C6-C7 with slight narrowing of the foramina.
Limited degenerative bone changes interfacettair on the investigated"
There is no history of accident or serious trauma etc.
Currently she is on pain killers and taking as much rest as possible. The neurosurgeon is suggesting to do surgery OR to take the injection (it is called Epidurale Infiltration cervical, ERA). We took the appointment for the injection for 18th February. Meantime we would like to have some other opinions whether this can be treated with any other alternatives, is there any harm in taking the injection, can yoga help or is there any medicine to cure etc.
The CT scan report (which is in Dutch but the nearest possible English translation) is attached as well. CT Scan can be viewed by :
1. Click on weblink :
https://beelden.zna.be/Pacsportal/loginaccesscode.aspx
2. Log in (in capital letters) : EHQL64YVY
3. Password : 05608
All the details of the CT scan and reports are available on this portal.
I have also mentioned below the English translation for the same:
"Clinical information: herniated disc?
CT volume centered at the levels of C4 to C7. findings:
Normal bone structure.
Saved vertebral heights.
Good wervelalignatie.
Normal discusaflijning level at C2-C3. Light uncartrose C2 C3 right with slight narrowing of the neuroforamen.
Light median discbulging C3-C4. Light uncartrosetekens with slight narrowing of the foramina.
Normal discusaflijning at level C4-C5. The foramina C4-C5 seem still preserved.
Light C5-C6 disc osteoarthritis. There is a degenerative disco osteofytaire bulging especially para median left with asymmetrical impression on durazak.
Light uncartrose C5-C6 right with slight narrowing of the neuroforamen.
Moderate osteoarthritis disc C6-C7. There is a definite localized disco osteofytaire bulging median - para median left with significant impression on the durazak.
Lichtgradige uncarthrosis C6-C7 with slight narrowing of the foramina.
Limited degenerative bone changes interfacettair on the investigated"
Brief Answer:
Steroid injection will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Your sister in law is having degenerative changes in the cervical spine with nerve root compression. The pain will be there as long as the nerve will remain compressed due to the disc.
The majority of herniated discs will heal themselves in about six weeks and do not require surgery. Non-surgical methods of treatment are usually attempted first, leaving surgery as a last resort and in this non steroidal drugs- pain killers, cervical collar use and steroid injections are very useful.
First of all, apply warm compresses and take some anti inflammatory pain killers. Apart from that there are epidural steroid injections, ultrasound therapy used to warm the area, which in turn brings blood flow and healing nutrients to the area or osteopathic manipulation.
An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a combination of a corticosteroid with a local anesthetic pain relief medicine. Corticosteroids are strong anti-inflammatory medicines. Relieving swelling and inflammation can take pressure off nerves and other soft tissues, which can relieve pain. The local anesthetic medicine helps give you immediate pain relief. Corticosteroid medicines take longer to have an effect.
If she in acute pain then it is best to get the injection earlier than 18th February.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Steroid injection will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Your sister in law is having degenerative changes in the cervical spine with nerve root compression. The pain will be there as long as the nerve will remain compressed due to the disc.
The majority of herniated discs will heal themselves in about six weeks and do not require surgery. Non-surgical methods of treatment are usually attempted first, leaving surgery as a last resort and in this non steroidal drugs- pain killers, cervical collar use and steroid injections are very useful.
First of all, apply warm compresses and take some anti inflammatory pain killers. Apart from that there are epidural steroid injections, ultrasound therapy used to warm the area, which in turn brings blood flow and healing nutrients to the area or osteopathic manipulation.
An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a combination of a corticosteroid with a local anesthetic pain relief medicine. Corticosteroids are strong anti-inflammatory medicines. Relieving swelling and inflammation can take pressure off nerves and other soft tissues, which can relieve pain. The local anesthetic medicine helps give you immediate pain relief. Corticosteroid medicines take longer to have an effect.
If she in acute pain then it is best to get the injection earlier than 18th February.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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