Chronic C7 radiculopathy

[Traveler]

I've had pain in my arm since May, 2014. I've had two steroid injections at a pain clinic, one in shoulder, one in lower neck with some improvement but not enough. I recently had an EMG test and nerve conduction test. The report : The nerves in the arm were normal but there was "chronic denervation seen in C7 musculature." And "there is evidence of old or chronic left C7 radiculopathy". "No evidence of peripheral nerve entrapment." So basically spinal nerve #7 that comes out of the Cervical vertebrae between C6 and C7 (which I had fused in 1991) is not firing and transmitting nerve signals like it should, affecting the way the muscles works in the arm and causing pain in that arm. I think there is pressure on either the C7 nerve or the spinal cord. What to do? Pain doc said he can give me another injection. I have been saying "no surgery" but since this report I am wondering if I need to pursue surgery. The MRI of the neck July 2014 did not show clearly what the problem was. It showed a little "flattening " of the spinal cord on one side. What kind of a doctor should I go to? Neuro or orthopedic? Would physical therapy specific to this problem be an option? I also have Parkinson's and surgery is known to be hard on us "Parkies".

[Mark N]

Traveler, I would pursue deep tissue massage as I have had the same issue and I have found relief as the massage has relieved muscle knots and tightness. It was shocking how much it helped me but I have to maintain going to massage as it isn't a cure but has really helped me. Good luck finding a treatment that helps you but I don't think surgery is the answer for you at this time.