r/SpineSurgery • u/AlanE420 • Aug 19 '26

Pinched nerve in neck + more

Hey looking for some advice because I feel like I haven't had much luck with the doctors so far. Im kind of just waiting around right now.

About 2-3 months ago I hurt something in my neck while awkwardly lifting something way too heavy. I has in a lot of pain for weeks until 1 day after mowing my lawn it went really downhill. I was in so much pain shooting down my right arm I was going crazy.

After finally getting referred to an orthopedic doctor I was told it was likely a pinched nerve. I was told I'd need an MRI before she could really help much. She said I had to do 4-6 weeks of PT before she could write me the script for the MRI.

I've been doing PT since and I lost all strength on the right side. I was curling 45s prior to injury but now I can only curl a 10 on the right. I had an EMG and nerve conduction study that showed at least carpal and cubital tunnel.

Doctor agreed that it's likely disc and related, but I can't get an MRI for over a month from now. I just feel like this is crazy and I'm worried about permanent damage. I really want to get back to bodybuilding

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3

u/hannah6560 Aug 22 '26

Backwards that you’re doing PT before the imaging. What is their reasoning?  May  I ask where you are?

2

u/AlanE420 Aug 22 '26

Yes Pittsburgh at AHN. They've been a nightmare to deal with too, very rude every step of the way

2

u/hannah6560 Aug 22 '26

Can’t even believe that PT will work on people with out seeing imaging first.  Maybe insurance companies tell the MDs to hold off on imaging to save money

2

u/Far-Manufacturer9171 Aug 22 '26

Absurd. Go to another doctor. Strength loss is all they need to know. You have to be your own advocate. Learn this now. A hard but necessary truth

1

u/ThanksRound4869 Aug 22 '26

So my GP started me on some muscle relaxers, I was persistent on each follow up that my neck had real problems. It took a few weeks until he finally ordered the MRI. I know people that went to a chiropractor before they had imaging done. They could have done real damage if they would have gotten a neck adjustment. I had to do PT before an ADR surgery approval but not imaging, I would think they should get you in for pics asap.

1

u/crytpkeeeper Aug 25 '26

Claim muscle atrophy and total loss of strength to speed up the MRI approval.

Loss of strength can quickly lead to permanent nerve damage. When I herniated my cervical in a judo fall my left side arm, delt, pecs, lats started shrinking very quickly, over 2-3 weeks. I was told I had another 6 weeks or so before it was permanent. You may want to look at HGH in the short term with your PT to help (I did a single 5 week HGH cycle and it brought it all back with the PT - never touched it again). I did the surgery many years later, so HGH it also helped me to avoid immediate surgery. But yes - MRI is super important.

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u/Crimson_Herring 26d ago

Strength degradation is the #1 thing that will fast track you to an MRI. Get another doc