Chronic point pain in neck near c7

Hi there. I wouldn't go for surgery unless you absolutely need it. Cervical spine surgery is a big deal and not without risks; it doesn't always cure pain either, unfortunately. I had an ACDF at C6/7 due to compression and was at risk of permanent loss of arm/ hand use if I didn't. I have been left with residual issues and 3 years down the line I am still on various pain meds (though less) and under the care of a specialist spinal Physio. What I do have is full use of my neck, arm, hand and shoulder, which I wouldn't have had without the op.

You sound like you might benefit from seeing a neurosurgeon to get to the bottom of what is causing your pain. I'd also be inclined to try Physio instead of chiropractic too, and be aware that neither can diagnose something that only an MRI or scan can 'see'. Lastly, it is worth getting a referral for pain management if possible. Exhaust all avenues you can before you resort to surgery; you may not need it and it isn't pleasant.

All the best.

x

Yes u can but surgery will cause scare tissue which could affect nerves further , it will depend on yr neurosurgeon. Also how badly yr quality of life is been affected. I've suffered with my bck since I was 15 am now 40 it took till 2011 b4 they even considered doing a MRI . After fobbing me off with physo and medication and acupuncture. They had a diagnosis of disc degenerative and stenosis but did but bother to send the report to my GP for a further 18 month . Then they fobed me of with a spinal block injection this didn't work. Also made me unwell try to fob me off with a second. But never got the chance to get it, as my disc on L4/l5 had burst and collapsed. I was rushed down to theatre for a decompression discectomy. No after care or nothing 😡. Had major problems again 2016 seen a rheumatologist at nhs hospital had further MRI further degenerative in disc s one completely flat plus arthritis in spine. Tried to fob me of with more physo and pain relief. Could stand the pain or the problem s been caused by my bck asked my GP to refer me to a private hospital via the nhs, sept 2016 . Had another spinal block didn't work made me ill, had a discogram Jan 2017 to determine the disc were causing the main problems, had further ct and X-ray , due spinal fusion in 4 weeks and the removal of the flat disc crushing my siatic nerve. I believe because I have other underlying health issues i.e. Fibromyalgia, hyper mobility they just blamed that for years. Alway s push yr GP And consultant

I am an MD, I don't see how your chiro diagnosed you with an osteophyte when your MRI didn't have one on it.  Your MRI would have picked that up for sure.  I would take your MRI and go see a pain management doc who will start treating you with conservative therapies like pain meds, nerve blocks, physical therapy, things like that.  Don't go jumping into surgery until you have exhausted all the conservative options out there.  BTW, going to a chiro is not trying all the conservative options by a long shot.

Ye you definitely don't want to go down the surgical route until there are no other options, your so young. Surgery can fix one problem but leave you with another. what have you tried? Ask to referred to physio or a pain doc