Neck brace and bone fusion

[olbod]

I have growing spurs and disc damage to my neck.
Pain is not the problem as you can get anti inflamatory and pain killers.
The problem now is that if I am not careful and move in the wrong direction my neck cracks, a nerve is pinched somehow and my head spins out of control. When this happens, I have to lie down and the dizzyness can last up to 8 or nine hours.
Its all right when I am sitting at the PC or watching tv or driving but I dont want to spent what's left being unable to be active and a potato.

I have heard bad things about neck braces and neck bone fusion.
So have you or someone you know had experience with either of these remedies ?
If I can avoid it at the moment I would prefer not to have to clean out me desk.

Cheers.

[Chucaro]

I have 3 disk damaged in my neck.
Neck braces are the not good, your muscles in your neck will become lousy and when you take the brace your head will be wobbling and pinching the nerves aggravating the situation.
Neck fusion, I would consult few reputable neurologists who specialize in neck injures before even contemplating it. The damage can be irreversible if the operation is not successful.
I have been trough all that and at the end I found in the Hobart Royal Hospital a physiotherapists who specialized in recuperation of people that have suffered neck damage due to accidents.
The exercises helped to strength the muscles in the neck and improved posture.
I recommending you to go in this way and then see what happens.
It is not going to be a full cure bad even with the limitations in activities it will improve your quality of life.
I cannot turn my head to do reverse parking, use a ride on lawnmower, ride the motorbike and need couple of pillows to sleep without pain but my quality of life have improved.
Careful with the anti inflammatory drugs, they can damage your digestive organs.
I hope that this help.

[UncleHo]

G'day Robert :)

My dad had neck nerve problems I.E. intermittent pinching, and he was refered to a good quality physiotherapist, and after several sessions his was cured,if you are DVA you should be able to go through them, as they can access some very good people.

I would suggest seeing a good Orthopeadic surgeon re the spurs,as they could be the cause of the nerve problems

cheers

[olbod]

Thanks, I will speak to my Doc about seeing a specialist and also about getting some physio.
Choices are a bit limited here in this part of the world and long distance travel to see Doctors is more trouble than it is worth, I think.
I spent years doing that with Betty but that was for her not me.

My thoughts about a neck brace was not to wear one permanently.
I have no trouble when I am lying down or when I am seated and doing light stuff like driving or repairing valve blocks etc.
It is when I am very active like twisting about under the car or doing stuff and I forget and move the neck into a no no position.
I thought about a neck brace not to support the neck but to restrict the movement for those few hours that I might get carried away buggering about, which is not everyday.

As me late MIL used to say, I dont know I am sure. Bless her.

[Blknight.aus]

Id reccomend lookling into getting the spurs ground away.

its only going to get worse and continue to do so.

as already said, getting a brace will make your neck lazy.

[BathurstTom]

As others have said - physio. I have had whiplash since 1987 and have spurs also. Get some exercises and use them to strengthen your neck. Nigel Mansell (he ex F1 driver) broke his neck many years ago prior to his F1 career. He used exercises to strengthen his neck - enough to take the enormous G forces that F1 drivers endure. Good luck with it.


Tom.