Question
I have upper back/shoulder pain and arm pain at times to my elbow and my neck aches which started 2 years ago after planting rose bushes. mri shows broad based disk protrusion, posterior osteophtes and uncovertebral degenerative changes resulting in moderate canal stenosis and moderate/severe bilateral neural forminal stenosis at c5-c6. At c4-c5, central disk protrusion minimally indenting the spinal cord, mild stenosis and mild/moderate forminal stenosis. only my left side of my back and shoulder and arm ache, but it is intense and I CAN'T SLEEP, EXERCISE, OR EVEN CLEAN THE HOUSE.
WENT TO ONE DOC WHO TOLD ME TO DO PT, TAKE NSAIDS AND LIVE WITH IT. ANOTHER RECOMMENDED CERVICAL EPIDURAL. MY QUESTION IS HOW SAFE ARE CERVICAL EPIDURALS, CAN A PAIN DOC ADMINISTER IT AND WILL IT HELP? I DO NOT REALLY WANT SURGERY ALTHOUGH NO ONE HAS TOLD ME I NEED SURGERY. CAN I GET BETTER WITHOUT SURGERY

Answer
Hi RDT,

Check past questions regarding cervical disc herniations, you can find several in spine surgery and this section authored by myself. Epidurals are useless and dangerous since they correct nothing and weaken connective tissue and PT aggravates the condition even more. Towel traction works wonders, close to 90% success with no risk in 2 weeks. Find a DC that does towel traction and you should see results immediately.


Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin