Question
QUESTION: Hi...I am a 27-year-old female. I have been working in front of a computer for the past 7 years now. I've had neck and lower back pain here and there because of the nature of my job. I sit in front of a computer at least 40-50 hours per week. I was involved in a car accident a year ago. Immediately after the crash the only symptom I had was a sharp pain behind my right eye. In the following days I experienced headaches, nausea, neck/shoulder pain, numbness in my lips, shoulder, arms, hands and legs. I made an appointment with a neurologist and had X-rays and an MRI. The results were as follows:

FINDINGS: The visualized intracranial structures appear unremarkable. There is no abnormal present involving the craniocervical junction. No abnormal signal within the spinal cord. There is straightening of the normal cervical  lordosis.

C2-3: No significant abnormality.

C3-4: No significant abnormality.

C4-5: There is a 2-3 mm concentric disc bulge. There is an impression upon the thecal sac, but the spinal canal and neural foramen appear patent.

C5-6: There is a 3 mm right paracentral protruded disc herniation. There is a mild narrowing of the central spinal canal with mass effect upon the right ventral cord. Both the neural foramen appear patent.

C6-7: There is a 3-4 mm right paracentral  protruded disk herniation. There is mild narrowing of the central spinal canal with mass effect upon the right ventral cord. The right neural foramen is mildly narrowed. The left neural foramen is patent. If symptomatic, this may produce symptoms relative to the right C7 nerve root.

C7-T1: No significant abnormality.

IMPRESSION:
1. Concentric disc bulging at C4-5 producing an impression upon thecal sac but no significant narrowing of the central spinal canal.

2. Straightening of the normal cervical lordosis.

3. Right paracentral protruded disc herniation at C5-6 producing mild narrowing of the central spinal canal and mass effect upon the right ventral cord.

4. 4 mm right paracentral protruded disc herniation at C6-7 which compresses the right ventral cord and mildly narrows the right neural foramen. If symptomatic. This may produce symptoms relative to the right C7 nerve root.

I also had an EMG, and its results are as follows:

CONCLUSIONS: NCS revealed preserved SNAP's and CMAP's in the tested nerves. EMG revealed acute denervation mostly severe in the right >left C7 myotomes and the left myotomes.

IMPRESSION: This study revealed an acute radiculopathy affecting the right C7 root level as well as the left C6 and right C6 levels.

After I received these results, I went to Physical Therapy for 12 weeks. They solely concentrated on my neck. I finished therapy and was feeling much better until about 9 months after the accident. I awoke in a lot of pain in my neck and shoulders. I could barely move my neck and over-the-counter medicines were not helping the pain at all. I went back to see the doctor, and he is now thinking about cervical disk surgery.

About 3 months after that I was starting to have a lot of lower back pain. I awoke one morning about one week into the pain and couldn't even walk on my left leg. I had to go to a different doctor because I couldn't get in to see my neurologist. I went to my general family practitioner, and he gave me a shot and some prescribed medications. After one week, I was feeling better but noticed a considerable amount of weakness in my lower back and leg. I started physical therapy again, but on my lower back and leg this time.

In general, I am still having pain in my neck, shoulders and lower back. I also have weakness in my shoulders, arms and legs. I still get numbness/tingling in my shoulders, arms and lips from time to time.

So my questions are:

1. Do my neck injuries seem to be significant enough for surgery?

2. Could the lower back and leg pain be coming from my accident?

3. What role does my work environment have on my symptoms?

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for listening to my story! Any help and/or advice you have for me would be greatly appreciated!!!

ANSWER: Katie,
In all likelihood you DO NOT need surgery.  You are going to Doctors that do not know anything about getting people well.  You have tried their shots, did you get well?
You have tried their drugs, did you get well?
You have tried their Physical Therapy, did you get well?
Do you see the pattern here?
And you are still going to stick around and listen what they are telling you?
Gather up your pictures and test results get out of there and don't look back.
Over 90% of the patients that we see in our clinic had spinal surgery that they did not need at all.  In fact, it made them worse anyhow, and then they end up in my clinic desperate for answers.
You do not need to listen to people that get paid to help you die more comfortably.  You need a doctor that will help you to fully express and enjoy your LIFE to the fullest.
An Upper Cervical doctor of Chiropractic is the only Doctor that can locate and help correct the cause of your problem so that you can naturally get well without harmful drugs or surgery that don't help anyway.
Please send me your town and state so I can refer you to a Doctor that can help you to get well.  
Yours in Best Health,
Dr Rob Arnone


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for the advice. You just confirmed what I've been thinking in my head. I live in Gonzales, Louisiana. It's nearby to Baton Rouge, LA. Thanks again for your time and advice! It's much appreciated!

Answer
Katie,
You are already on the road to getting well.  You have an Upper Cervical Specific Doctor that comes in with a high recommendation in your area.  I know that it is not in your immediate town but take my advice, this is where you need to go and this is where you will get well.  I suggest that you call him today to set up your initial appointment.

Dr Andrew Abele  
Orleans Upper Cervical  
723 Hillary St.
New Orleans  Louisiana,   70118  
504-861-4173   
www.OrleansUpperCervical.com
[email protected]

If it makes you feel any better, we have patients that travel from other states for our care, so you actually have it good that there is someone doing the work in your area.

Yours in Best Health,
Dr Rob Arnone