Cervical disc herniation as result of accident

[drewski]

Back in July 2021 I broke a clavicle. I didn’t realize at the time that I herniated disc in my neck. In March 2024 had been to that point became suddenly excruciating.

According to my MRI, I had two discs in Cervical spine.
Recently Physical therapy. The neurosurgeon who I saw at Duke university hospital, says it will be 9- 12 months before the pain subsides.

I’m currently waiting to see a physiatrist.

If any one has advice on how to manage this, let me know because obviously trying to manage this for the next 12 months is gonna be very challenging.

[Seramount]

if you are only asking about pain mgt, PT, NSAIDs, ice/heat, massage are all fairly effective. I've had success using chiropractic for several serious injuries, but some are not open to this treatment option.

if you're contemplating a surgical repair, I'd avoid that until it's a last resort. I herniated L4/L5 and had a microdiscectomy. afterwards, it was brought to my attention that the recovery timelines for surgica/ and non-surgical procedures are essentially the same.

[bigbill]

Do what your doctor says. I had a herniated disc L4-L5 that eventually left me in excruciating pain and pretty much dragging my left leg because of the pinched sciatic nerve. I did several months of PT, meds, a few rounds of prednisone, and then my doctor recommended surgery. I had a microdiscectomy, a month and a half of going for an hour walk each day, and haven't had any pain since. Everyone is different and every hernia is different. Mine was simple and they did the one inch incision right on my belt line, so I still look good in a speedo.

I had my surgery in November of 2015. I rode 8400 miles in 2016.

[Xrslug]

I had intense pain in my upper back several years ago — couldn’t sleep, really bad. Tests showed it to be a herniated disk (presumably old sports injury but don’t know exactly how it happened) was impinging on a nerve. I had a steroid (I assume prednisone but don’t recall) injection at the site and that cured it for me. I occasionally get twinges and I know right where the spot is on my back, but it’s been 5+ years now and no more debilitating pain. Fingers crossed. Worth asking your doctor about.

[buddybikes]

Everyones different. I had bad disk L4/5 couldn't walk across street w/o sweating in pain. Fused, but since then downward spin, L3/4 fused 2019 and L2/3 last Feb. I am in pretty constant pain. No idea what it would have been like w/o surgery. My pain doc and surgeons are conservative people so I think made right choice just bad luck.

I can ride, I can paddle but can't do same in one day, have to accept more pain afterwards.

[deluz]

I think getting an evaluation by a PT is the best thing you can do right now,
It may be you have some imbalances that could be helped by PT.

[catchourbreath]

I was told c1-c6 are herniated. Neck has good and bad days, try and stretch and keep movement going. Probably should do more. Also unsure what did it, have been hit by a few cars and certainly crashed a lot between bmx/cx/life.

[HenryA]

Take up your PT like its a new found religion. If you wonder about whether you’re getting the help you need ask your doctor for another referral. Like most professions there is a range of competence and sometimes a range of personal relations ability.

[OtayBW]

C5 & C6 are whacked out on me. Traction generally provides the best relief for me. As I get older, this has become a limiting factor in my long distance comfort on the bike, e.g., cervical extension (bending the head backward) is really stressful, ultimately requiring me to reduce bar drop. Funny pic, but some (hopefully more effective) strategy like this works for me....

[sailorboy]

Home traction devices can be effective and range from about $30 to $300 or so. Get some treatments in a PT clinic first to see if it actually does anything for you, then get the device to do it at home.

[drewski]

I tried pt, laser, acupuncture traction, tried prednisone injection. On July 30 I had an ACDF on C5-C7. The shoulder pain seems to be a bit worse now.

I am getting physical therapy and doing acupuncture.
I walk around all the time with a tens unit in the area where I feel the most pain
which is right around where the glenohumeral joint is.

I am stretching with bands, using roller, and been doing a recumbent stationary bike.

It seems like the shoulder pain in my left shoulder gets worse as the day proceeds.

[thwart]

That clarifies your original post; you actually had an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at the end of July.

Is the pain primarily coming from the shoulder itself, and not persistent referred pain from your cervical spine? You mentioned the neurosurgeon advising you may take 9 to 12 months for the pain to resolve… this would make me think he is talking about persistent pain from the issues in your neck.

A physiatrist (rehabilitation medicine specialist) consultation sounds like a good idea.