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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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MRI Stated Bulging Discs Impinging Thecal Sac. Have Radiating Pain From Shoulder To Bicep Into Hand. Suggest?

I have MRI's from 2003,2005,2007,2008 all stating bulging discs c5/c6, c/7 impinges thecal sac. I have massive radiating pain from shoulder into bicep, forearm, into hand. Electricity like pain. Fingers going numb. Going on 2 weeks. Had 4 previous back surgeries L5-S1. Scared & having MRI in the morning. Scared, any advice?/
posted on Sat, 31 Aug 2013
Twitter Sat, 31 Aug 2013 Answered on
Twitter Sun, 1 Sep 2013 Last reviewed on
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Spine Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi
Thank you for your question

From the symptoms you have described it seems the compression from bulging discs may have gotten worse. It is very obvious a new MRI of cervical spine is needed to evaluate this. The treatment options are

1 Pain killers like diclofenac or stronger ones like tramadol +/- muscle relaxants.
2 Neck exercises are better avoided in acute pain. Once the pain is under control physiotherapy is helpful.
3 Nerve specific medications like pregabalin or gabapentin.
4 Steroids like methylprednisolone are also helpful to control acute pain.
5 Nerve root blocks in cervical region are technically challenging to perform and not very useful in multilevel disease.

If symptoms keep worsening despite these or signs of myelopathy are present in the arms/legs on examination surgical decompression is recommended.

Wish you the best.
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MRI Stated Bulging Discs Impinging Thecal Sac. Have Radiating Pain From Shoulder To Bicep Into Hand. Suggest?

Hi Thank you for your question From the symptoms you have described it seems the compression from bulging discs may have gotten worse. It is very obvious a new MRI of cervical spine is needed to evaluate this. The treatment options are 1 Pain killers like diclofenac or stronger ones like tramadol +/- muscle relaxants. 2 Neck exercises are better avoided in acute pain. Once the pain is under control physiotherapy is helpful. 3 Nerve specific medications like pregabalin or gabapentin. 4 Steroids like methylprednisolone are also helpful to control acute pain. 5 Nerve root blocks in cervical region are technically challenging to perform and not very useful in multilevel disease. If symptoms keep worsening despite these or signs of myelopathy are present in the arms/legs on examination surgical decompression is recommended. Wish you the best.