Hi, in February 2017 I had an incident with a ladder that caused me to loose my balance falling backwards landing on my head, estimated distance from my head to the ground was 14'. my injury was a left C-6 to C-7 Facet Fracture and the surgery I had was C-5 to T-2 P.S.I.F. (Posterior Spinal Instrumentation and Fusion) and also fractured the radious and another small bone in left wrist. It's been about a week since I was told I no longer have to wear my Miami J cervical collar 24/7 and that my restrictions were to not to lift anything over 25lbs. and I have my 1st round of physical theropy next week. I've had what I think is a pinched nerve in my neck for about 2 days and on the second day i was doing anything I could stay busy and try not to think about it and when I came in to sit down for a while I noticed that it was no longer there, the pain was gone and i was so relieved. Then a couple hours later I walked out to lock up the garage and next thing I know.....it's back and it's worse. I've had adjustments in the past by chiropractor and the results were un-real. but after having broken my neck I'm very leary about having it done. I don't know if there are other ways to treat a pinched nerve or what i can do to help relieve the pain. I welcome any and all suggestions, I'm getting pretty desparate. I'd light my head on fire and put it out with a hammer if I knew it would help.
You can still walk, right? I'm glad it wasn't worse and I'm sure you are too. I use alternative therapy for neck pain. I've sent you a private message. Let me know if you have any questions. And welcome to this forum.
I too have a fusion, though mine is anterior, C5-7. the basic idea of any fusion is that it fuses several vertebrae into one unit, so I agree with you that chiropractic adjustments of the fused vertebrae is ...inappropriate. Ok, nuts. I still get regular adjustments however. I go to someone who uses only the activator method and I monitor my doctor to ensure she does not touch the fusion. Most chiropractors know enough to never touch a fusion, and many would simply refuse you or I as a patient. Getting the rest of my spine balanced helps my balance and pain level.
As to your pinched nerve it is possible that the reason for your current pain is not exactly the same as whatever you experienced before this injury. You might get relief from adjustments of clavicular joints or joints of the ribs to the sternum. There are a variety of ways to relieve pressure on a nerve but first I would insist on finding out what nerve is involved and where the impingement happens. You could consult with a good chiropractor without getting an adjustment. A Physiatrist might be helpful. Mostly it depends on the talent of the doctor you consult, even more than their specialty. Heavens, even PTs have been known to help.
Obviously I am unsure who might help you but I am sure you can be helped. Meanwhile try a heat or ice- whichever gives you relief. Do not let the pain build all day. Take breaks when you can lay down for a bit and relax the neck.