Straight Neck Bone

Hi UA, sorry you're having these problems with your neck, that doesn't sound very good. My understanding is, if your neck straightens like that, it's kind of a reverse form of scoliosis, and major changes like that are usually the sign of a major problem. I really don't think a chiropractor would help any more than PT, and could possibly do more harm than good if you have some severe degeneration going on in there. My suggestion is to talk to your PCP and get an MRI and a referral to a BC neurosurgeon, or BC orthopedic surgeon, and get this checked out by a specialist. It may be just some minor problems, but it could be major problems too. A different curvature can be a symptom of a herniated disc, or other major problems.

Good luck, and I hope you can get this resolved and get your neck back. Take care, and let us know what happens.

Hi UA,

I'm not sure if a straight neck bone will cause any harm. Its annoying though.

I had a car accident in August of 2005. I had cervical x-rays done 3 days after the accident and they told me I had no curve to my neck anymore, that it was straight. I ended up having an MRI shorlty there after and I had a bulging disc at C5/6.

I did start with a chiro because my PCP was out on medical leave. For me going to the chiro was my worst mistake ever. I felt great for a few hours after being adjusted however a follow up MRI a year after chiro that bulging disc was totally herniated.

I stopped doing chiro and have since had more MRI's than I can count. I still have a straight neck, no increase in curve. I like you also tried PT. I did 2 rounds and it didn't help any.

I still have issues with my hand going numb. It does still cause me neck, head and shoulder pain. It hasn't gotten any worse, yet it hasn't gotten any better. I am able to get my pain level down to about a 4 after I have RF's done.

For me they put me on a bunch of restrictions because of my neck. No looking up or down, no raising my hands over my head, no sweeping, vacuuming or mopping (I thought that was funny, Not like its something I can avoid). I've lost most of the range of motion in my neck and even with all the PT wasn't able to get it back. The only thing thats been recommended because its as good as its going to get fore me is to pace myself. Don't try and do everything in the world all in the same day. Sometimes easier said than done.

I would definitely make that appt. and find out what is going on..From the way you write it....it sounds like you didn't go to the hospital to get any tests done after the accident? Or did they do an MRI then?

My neck is pretty straight now due to my fusion surgeries but I am thankful that the majority of nerve pain was reduced by taking out the discs that had herniated....

So it's best to find out if there is any herniation at any of the levels or any type of nerve damage that happened due to the accident.

The best Dr. for the cervical area of the spine is a Board Certified (Fellowship trained) Neurosurgeon...

Keep us posted on what the Dr. says...

….I'm in agreement here, get this looked at soon. And I too would not let anyone touch it except for a PT specialist. Let us know what they say if you do have it looked at.

SE

Hi UA, that just seems like completely irresponsible treatment by both your ER and your GP. Whiplash is one of the most predominant injuries from car accidents, and it can very easily cause issues with the cervical spine. I think I'd have an ear full for that doctor, letting it go on this long without more than PT is just ridiculous. I hope you're able to get this sorted out soon. Take it easy until you find out what's going on.

Hi UA I want to chime in here with the rest, and say that I to would STRONGLY encourage you NOT go to a chiropractor or in anyway have your spine manipulated untill after you have had an MRI and had a competent doctor review it. I have told this story many times, but back in the mid eighties I was in the military, and my doctor was and Osteopathic doctor in the military, and without knowing what was wrong with me, other than I was having severe pain in forearms and hands, ( like when you severely hit your crazy bone in your elbow and it shoots down into your hands and fingers but I was having it constantly) my doctor done a spinal manipulation, and I thought I was going to die! It felt like a bolt of lightening had struck me and went from my head to my feet, and my body completely lifted off the table, and he jumped back in horror!  A month or so later they finally found out what was wrong with me bu doing  a myelogram and MRI,  my disk at C6/7 ruptured and it was herniated so bad that it actually was pressing into my spinal cord I had free floating fragments of the disk floating in my spinal canal.  The neurosurgeon could not understand why I could even move and why I was not be a quadrieplegic. I often wondered if the disk in my neck was made worse by being manipulated, as it worsened my symptoms a whole lot! All the civilian neurosurgeon would say, is that it should not have been done and I was extremely lucky! Personally from that experience I am scared to death of going to a chiropractor, or having my spine manipulated in any way. Since that time I have had two more fusions done in my neck and have rods and pins in the back of my spine in my neck.  I know that this might not ever happen or even apply  to any body else, but why take a chance, especially when it concerns your cervical spine?  When ever somebody has problems concerning their cervical spine, MRI is the gold standard on finding out what the problem is!  

 

I do wish you well!

 

White Beard

Hi Everyone,

Just updating everyone...

I finally visited an ortho on Wednesday. Pain reached unbearable. I couldn't move my neck. It felt like a stiff neck accompanied with a sharp pain pain even with the slightest movement.

He did some x-rays and said there was no change from the accident when he compared the x-rays and over time the pain will get worst since there's muscle and ligament damage. My back pain is due to scoliosis. My spine is curving. All nerves are fine though. The curve is around 21 degrees. He recommended that I start back physical therapy and he put me on some muscle relaxants and pain tabs.

Hoping to start PT sometime next month.

Thanks
UA

UA, I hate to be the bearer of bad news here but there is no way they can say there is no cord involvement from looking at just an xray! They generally do not use xrays to diagnose or rule out muscle or ligature damage so that being said: do you have an MRI or CT scan or have you had one recently and if not I would be looking for a preferably Neuro Doc and getting one.

Like everyone else here I would stay away from the Chiro Docs.

Vickie

Hey UA..thanks for updating...but I am with the others...a X-ray doesn't even show whether there is tendon or ligament damage....Its focus is fractures or issues with the bones.

You REALLY need to press for a MRI...You mentioned in your previous posts that you would have this cold sensation down your back. That can be nerve issues. As well as the pain was quite servere....that shouldn't be from just your neck being straightened some but finding out what is exactly causing the pain.

A MRI is needed to show whether you have any type of damage with your tendons, ligaments, nerves, disc herniation, etc. This should be done before doing any major PT as to not tear or damage anything further.

That is why I always recommend a Board Certified Neurosurgeon...not a Ortho to really make sure that you don't have anything potentially serious going on.

Obviously none of us here are Drs. or trying to take the place of one...I just would feel that after a serious car accident I would be pushing for a MRI to look everything over.

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 1/29/2013 5:46:30 PM (GMT-7)

Hi SB & Sore,

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it.
SB, yes, I do experience the cold sensation with the sharp pain. I didn't think that it was nerves or anything serious but now that you mention it, I've been think hard and it has me a little worried. I will go to have this problem checked on this as well. I haven't started PT as yet so I can visit a doctor again and see what's causing this problem before I start sometime next month.

Thanks again.

UA

I agree with the others "No" chiropractors, I won't let one touch me. I also have a very straight cervical region. I met with the best neuro surgeon this past May and he said he could do a fusion with all the bells and whistles and I said no, I think a neuro would say the same to you, However, are you up for a fusion.

Fusion surgery is major surgery and it's your neck area the most critical part of your body, yes they are done a lot, but it's not a guarntee (sp) that your pain will go away either. Plus, it is surgery and you'll have lots of surgical pain. There's no miracle with this surgery, yes it could help but, your recovery time will be anywhere from 1 full year to 1 1/2 to 2 yrs for recovery can you afford this down time, some on here will say it doesn't take that long but again it depend on how much they fix in surgery...and how fast you'll heal up again no guarntee's. How much physical therapy sessions would your insurance allow for, mine only allows 20 sessions per year and thats not enough after a fusion.

Whitebeard has the most experience on here to help you. Listen to him and his advise.

Physical therapy and ultrasound treatment gave me some help this past summer.

My straighten spine comes from a MVA in 1997, at times it really hurts, other times it's okay, I probably will get surgery in a couple of years, just not now...I also have a lot other things preventing me like RA, RA is probably making it worse for me and asthma makes me a harder case as well...even my neruo surgeon is afraid to do the surgery with my complications...

Now chiropractors are good doctor's but they should not work on you if your spine is straight as they do better for people with a natural curve.

Also if your not having numbness in your arms or hands or dropping thing then maybe it's too early for surgery for you, I do get the numbness and drop things...

getting up dated MRI's is good, but don't rush into anything yet...consider everything and listen to WhiteBeard.

Also, once surgery, always surgery...I've heard this so often from people that have had fusions...

Prayers and well wishes and do keep us posted and give medications a try, not all will put you to sleep...always try a new medication over a weekend where you do not have to go anywhere or do anything, just in case you have side effects...

1997 in the ER the doctor said I had sprained the whole left side of my spine from the mva, had xrays done which showed I had the spine of an 80 yrs old and I was only in my 30's...no mri's back then...also had a sprained left shoulder...was a heck of a Christmas for me, accident occured on Dec 19th and I totally blacked out for a few moments ...Hurts me to hear that people on here involved in a car wreck as I do know what it's like and wouldn't ever wish it on anyone...

again, keep us posted and I'm sorry for my rant.

Hey folks, this is an older thread. JK if you don't mind we do ask new members to make an intro thread so everyone will see it & be able to say hello & welcome aboard. By posting on this older thread not many will see your post.

I will lock this as we like to keep the older threads off of the main page. Thanks.