apollo
  • female
  • 45 Years
  • 14/08/2025

I've been diagnosed with cervical spondylosis, and my doctor recommended surgery. I get frequent headaches and neck pain, plus it's hard to turn my head side to side. Is surgery the only option, or are there other treatments I could try first?

Doctor 1

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

No, surgery isn't always the first option for cervical spondylosis. Non-surgical treatments like physical therapy, pain relievers, and lifestyle adjustments are often tried first. Surgery is usually reserved for cases where conservative treatments fail to relieve symptoms or if there are signs of nerve compression or spinal cord damage.

Dr. Kamran Suggests...

Consult a Neurosurgeon

Answered 14/08/2025

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I'm looking at my MRI report, and it's saying there's disc desiccation with a mild diffuse disc bulge and posterocentral disc herniation at the l5S1 level, which is causing some indentation on the thecal sac. I'm a bit concerned because I had surgery back in April 2017 for a tumor in my spinal cord. What does all of this mean? Should I be worried about this report in relation to my past surgery?

The MRI report indicates disc desiccation, mild diffuse disc bulge, and posterocentral disc herniation at the l5-S1 level, causing indentation on the thecal sac. The previous surgery in April 2017 was for a tumor in the spinal cord. For the disc issues mentioned in the MRI report, you can take pain relief medications like ibuprofen 400mg three times a day after meals. Additionally, you can use muscle relaxants like tizanidine 2mg at bedtime to help with muscle spasms. Physical therapy and gentle exercises can also be beneficial. If the pain persists, you may need to consult a spine specialist for further evaluation and management.

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My aunty has been diagnosed with lumbar lordosis and her MRI shows loss of normal lordosis in the lumbar spine. There's moderate lumbar spondylosis with disc degeneration, a posterior disc bulge at L4-L5 and L5-S1 causing narrowing, and a central/paracentral disc protrusion at L1-L2 compressing the thecal sac and mildly narrowing the neural foramina. The doctor recommended surgery but I'm worried is surgery the only option for a permanent fix? Are there other treatments that could help her condition without going under the knife?

While surgery may be considered for severe cases, it's not always the first or only option for lumbar lordosis and related issues like spondylosis and disc degeneration. Conservative treatments, including physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications, can often provide significant relief and improve function.

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Experiencing pain and numbness in my left hand and thumb, and an MRI showed a bulge between C2 and C3. Could this be treated with medication or would surgery be necessary?

A detailed evaluation will help decide the best course of action.

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Disclaimer: Answers on Apollo 247 are not intended to replace your doctor advice. Always seek help of a professional doctor in case of an medical emergency or ailment.