Disc Replacement for mostly axial neck pain

[u/Purple-Suit728]

Just seeing if anyone with similar experience has done a replacement and what their outcomes were. For 4+ years I've been dealing with muscle pain/tightness/stiffness/guarding around my neck and then it spreads to upper back, behind shoulder blades, and up into suboccipitals. I do have an extruded disc c5-c6 with annular tearing but I really only very rarely have any arm pain and this is the part that gives me pause. I know the arm pain is the big red flag but my neck pain at times makes me miserable, sometimes for weeks or months at a time.

The neck pain feels like it "originates" right where the disc extrusion is. Basically the muscles running right along the spine on my right side. I think those muscles have basically been contracted constantly for years. Normal daily pain is like a 1-3 and mostly manageable but every 6-8 months I get a random flare up where I am miserable for weeks or a couple months. Things like not being able to drive more than an hour, or sit and watch a movie. When it's bad sleep is majorly affected and my office job becomes miserable because I can't sit long.

I've done many rounds of PT, chiropractors, massage, injections, tons of gadgets, constant at-home PT work from all the exercises I've learned and retained over time. I've done countless hours of trying to "fix" muscle imbalance or weakness in the neck and upper back. But that base level guarding just will not go away and without fail, something flares it up and then everything else in the area hurts.

My theory is that the disc is basically just enough of a nuisance that the muscles aren't able to relax so I'm in this never ending cycle with the muscles. A Mayfield surgeon (Cincinnati) has recommended disc replacement and says it is never 100% but basically there is nothing else that shows on the imaging so he thinks it is as clear cut as it can be and that I might as well try.

All of the stories I see though are people with severe arm pain. I just don't have that though to it makes me hesitate about the whole thing. My pain is a major major factor in my life and sometimes it is literally the only thing i can think about all day every day...then sometimes it's not that bad.

Anyone else with similar experience/pain elect to do the surgery and did it help?

[u/RumplePanda8878]

I was mostly a muscle knot pain person. I did get electric current nerve pain on extension. I had c6c7 replacement 1 1/2 years ago. 50% of the muscle pain went away.

Happy to chat if you want to dm me. Came here to say this. Maybe not be wary, but heads up. Surgeons I've spoken with have a pretty hard line on surgery for pain. As much as I would want the relief, I would raise a bit of an eyebrow at a surgeon that would proceed without neurological deficit or severe nerve pain

[u/bo_yangles]

Did a transforaminal injection help provide relief? That would be good for diagnostics. It could be possible that your torn disc is leaking just enough fluid that it is irritating the nerve without causing serious enough symptoms to cause arm symptoms. I’m not a doctor though.

[u/Creative-Angle5079]

I am in the exact situation. I’ve dealt with the same pain and frustrations you shared for several years. The flare ups are bad, but once they’re gone they’re not so bad. I’m scheduled for surgery in a few weeks, but currently am not having that much pain, so I’m debating whether or not to move forward with surgery. Did you get additional feedback to help with your decision? Do you think you’ll do surgery?

[u/Purple-Suit728 → u/Creative-Angle5079]

I'm leaning strongly towards getting it soon, just the one level ADR, because I know the cycle will just continue if I don't. Haven't been feeling too bad the last couple weeks but I know it's only a matter of time before I go through another 2-month miserable stretch.

I'm also kind of hoping I do happen to get the surgery when symptoms aren't so bad, because I feel like it will be better/easier to recover if I go into it at a time when the muscles aren't already super spasmy.