[hollyweed]

Just read your post. I am a chiropractor and while I don't know your history, I would suggest you seek several opinions before surgery. Many asymptomatic people will have abnormalities visable on MRI, disc herniation etc. Radicular pain in the upper extremity is not uncommon in non surgical cases. If you haven't had an EMG done you are probably due for that next. In less severe cases of disc pathology home traction would also be an option. In 14 years of practice I have shelves full of case histories who were told surgery was the only option. I hate to dispense advise with limited knowlege but take control, investigate and make your own educated decision. It's your body.

[karsar]

I concur with Hollyweed's remarks at reply number 91.

I would also get the physician who is managing your lupus to give an opinion on whether or not that condition rules you out as surgical back candidate.

In a prior profession, I handled injury claims for an insurance company. In the surgical back cases I managed, there were some that got better after surgery, some did not improve, and a few got worse. I felt the patient's motivation to get well along with the surgeon's skill had alot to do with the result.

Another recommendation: After the MRI, if the orthopedist feels surgery is indicated get a second opinion from another orthopedist from a different medical group and if possible one who works out of a different hospital. If I think of any other recommendations, I'll freepmail you a note.