Question
Hi there.  I have a fusion in c5,6,7,T1.  I had a scooter accident and hit my tailbone and head hard.  Been having lots of neck pain and lower back pain.  T1,2 show degenerative disk changes  as well as c4,5.

Could the accident have injured those disks  enough to cause more degeneration in those disks?

Answer
Hello Teresa,

Sorry to hear about your accident, and your subsequent pain.

From your description I would surmise that the C5,6,7,T1 fusion is now beginning to affect the areas above and below the fusion because those areas (T1,2 and C4,5) are having to compensate for your lack of function in the area that was fused.  This also happens a lot with people who have had lumbar fushions when a couple years after their surgery the disc one or two above the fushion starts to degenerate.

BUT, the good news is that there is a lot you can do to improve your situation.  Because of your fushions, you will probably need some regular maintenance to keep your T1,2 and C4,5 free so they will not deteriorate further and potentially will improve a bit. You basically need to keep those joints free.

Here's the deal, "bones only go where muscles pull or hold them." The "degenerative discs" in your neck are probably being inappropriately compressed by the vertebrae above and below them.  Those vertebrae are only compressing those discs because the muscles that attach to those vertebrae are too tight, thereby compressing the discs.

If you think of all your muscles like the rigging (ropes) on a big old fashioned sailboat you can see how if the rigging (muscles) are too tight then the masts (bones) will be held too tight in place and won't be able move the way they should and the areas where they connect with other masts (joints) will wear out much quicker because they won't have the freedom to move and will instead grind on each other with each movement.

Basically, I'm telling you that you need to release a lot of overly tight muscles in your neck and shoulder girdle to get rid of your pain and prevent more damage to your discs. I explain all of this in more detail on the homepage of my FREE website:
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/

I'd recommend you go through the videos on the main Neck Pain Relief page:
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/neck-pain-relief.html
And then maybe the Upper Back Pain page:
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/upper-back-pain-relief.html
There will be some overlap but that's okay.
I'd also recommend you go through all the videos under the Neck Pain heading on the Site Map page:
http://www.do-it-yourself-joint-pain-relief.com/joint-pain-relief-site-map.html

Notice what makes your neck feel better and move better.  Notice the things that  seem to be pretty stubborn, so you can revisit them a bit later or the next day.
You can help yourself a lot.  Just take your time and follow along with the videos.  You can do it!

Best,
Gary Crowley