Herniated cervical disk

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Specializes in GERIATRICS, DEMENTIA CARE, MED-SURG.

Any one out there have this problem?

I am an RN and have been off work since the end of January. I had a fall at home and thought I had injured my shoulder. Symptoms were pain and tingling in my thumb and index finger arm weakness . Ultrasound showed a partially torn rotator cuff bursitis and tendonitis. Doc sent me to PT and after 2 weeks gave me a cortisone shot. She was concerned about the tingling fingers so sent me for an MRI 2 weeks later. Report came back yesterday a bulging disk and nerve impingement....................... I go to see the orthopedic surgeon today.............I am sure this has to be in part work related but how would you prove it?

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Specializes in GERIATRICS, DEMENTIA CARE, MED-SURG.

Me again just wondering how long I might be off work after surgery????? Someone out there must have had this tpe of injury......................are there weight lifting restrictions after and for how long? I really need to get back to work.....................

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

hello, blkynborn.

you really need to be posing these questions to your hcp/surgeon. he/she will be the only one who can give you this type of medical advice that relates to the injury and/or type of surgery you will have.

good luck and hope you are well very soon.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

If you feel it is work related, did you fill out an injury report? In my state there is a time limit of I think 90 days but please don't quote me :)

My sis had the surgery and went home that night and back to work by the following week BUT she does sedentary work typing etc.

As Siri said the only absolute source will be your doc. Please ask her/him.

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My understanding is that the majority of bulging discs will heal without surgery. Surgery is considered when a sufficient trial of rest and physical therapy has proved ineffective.

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My understanding is that the majority of bulging discs will heal without surgery. Surgery is considered when a sufficient trial of rest and physical therapy has proved ineffective.

I agree. I was diagnosed with "bulging" discs between C3 - C7 and nerve impingement after having a MRI due to suffering several weeks with numbness and tingling in my middle and ring finger. My MD immediately suggested a referral to a surgeon. I requested a referral to PT for cervical traction. I have seen too many people continue to suffer or get worse after disc surgery.

After the first treatment with cervical traction the numbness and tingling were much improved. I now have a cervical traction device at home that I can use when my fingers begin to tingle. I was diagnosed in July of 2005 and have only had to use the traction at home once.

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brklynborn- I noticed that you said you were going to an ortho doc instead of a neurosurgeon. Any reason for that? I am not trying to give medical advice, but I used to work for a neurosurgeon and many times he said that you should follow steps...surgery is your last option. Do PT first, then cortisone shots, and then surgery if nothing else helps. Good Luck =]

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brklynborn- I noticed that you said you were going to an ortho doc instead of a neurosurgeon. Any reason for that? I am not trying to give medical advice, but I used to work for a neurosurgeon and many times he said that you should follow steps...surgery is your last option. Do PT first, then cortisone shots, and then surgery if nothing else helps. Good Luck =]

I think it depends on the direction your disc is herniated or bulging in. Mine, two out of three had herniated towards my spinal cord. When my neurologist did a myelogram, he found out just how badly. And the MRI had not shown the two herniated disc. I had my surgery done by a neurosurgeon a week later.

Grannynurse:balloons:

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The choice between a neuro or otho surgeon is really one of preference. What is important is how much of their surgical practice is spines.

Here is a good article on the subject. http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article2471.html

This article summarizes a couple of studies on the effectiveness of conservative treatment on some herniated disks. http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article805.html

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Specializes in GERIATRICS, DEMENTIA CARE, MED-SURG.

Saw the MRI yesterday the bulge is compressing the spinal cord severely.

Ortho surgeon comes very highly recommended. So surgery April 12. 2 days in and 6 weeks recouperation then back to work.

I have already done the cortisone and PT thing.

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Specializes in jack of all trades, master of none.

Dang... only off for 6 weeks? I had microdiscectomy for severe herniation at L4-5, with spinal cord compression. It's been more than a year & I STILL can't do what I used to, still on lifting, sitting, standing restrictions, permanent nerve damage, etc, etc...

Does your ortho do alot of spinal work? Neuro did my surgery & it was amazing to actually be able to feel my foot immediately after surgery. Now, if I could just get rid of this chronic back pain. I'll prob end up under the knife again in the near future...

What kind of nursing do you do? That may play a role in the types of restrictions you end up with. My former employer had a policy that would not let me allow to work light duty, since my injury was NOT job-related. I ended up getting fired, losing health benefits, & all that good stuff. Still in litigation with the party that hit me....

Good luck....

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Specializes in GERIATRICS, DEMENTIA CARE, MED-SURG.

The ortho doc is very good and does lots of this type of surgery.

I am a med-surg nurse and I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the final outcome is as far as when I can go back to work.................his best guess was 6 weeks if no complications. I too have lost my job and medical bennies until I am medically cleared. I do have the option to pay out of pocket until I return to work expensive but less than the cost of the surgery.

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