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Bulging Disc, Numbness, Neck Pain. Alternative To Surgery?
Hi my 26 year old son has a bulging disc at C6/7he has lost a lot of strength in his L arm and muscle tone also has numbness and pins and needles and constant neck pain . He has had the injection into the bulge with very little relief. This was at least 6 weeks age.He is now to have surgery on the 4 /2 13 he is to have x 2 screws and a spacer into his spine . I am really worried something could go wrong. Is there any other alternatives we have not tried. My son is a high level sports man and his fitness is really important to him. What is the long term affects of the surgery does it ever have to be done again 20 yrs or so. I know he will probably have to have the surgery but just want to make sure we have done everything possible before he has it.
Mon, 28 Jan 2013
The symptoms you have told are a clear indication for surgical intervention. Usually some antiinflammatory and physio is tried for some time, but if there is no relief, surgical decompression of the nerves is the answer.
There can be complications from any surgery, but it is usually less than 2% in experienced hands.
Another option besides screws and spacer is artificial disc replacement. At this younger age, it keeps the segment mobile and prevents adjacent segment degeneration overtime.
You can discuss about this option with your doctor.
Bye
There can be complications from any surgery, but it is usually less than 2% in experienced hands.
Another option besides screws and spacer is artificial disc replacement. At this younger age, it keeps the segment mobile and prevents adjacent segment degeneration overtime.
You can discuss about this option with your doctor.
Bye
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