What options do I have for my injury, deterioration in the discs in my neck and back, along with a curvature in my spine?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:08:47 -0400

I recently had an X-ray done on my neck and lower back and found out I have roughly 60-70% deterioration in the discs in my neck, and roughly 30% deterioration in the discs in my back, along with a curvature in my spine. I have an appointment with my PCM on Friday to discuss the issues with him. My main concern is that my neck injury has been causing chronic headaches everyday, which lately have been becoming migraines. One of which was so severe, I had to go to the ER two weeks ago. I’m just curious about what I should be expecting when meeting with my PCM.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 made Sep 27 at 2021 12:33 AM

CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:33:41 -0400

Make and retain two copies of every piece of paper they give you. SPC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SPC James Neidig made Sep 27 at 2021 1:05 AM

SPC James Neidig — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 01:05:09 -0400

The only Option You Have is to Listen to the DOCTORS , Speaking From Experience I Have Very Similar Injuries, You Will be put on a Profile, Then They Will Come Up With a Treatment Plan, Which Will Include Meds and Physical Therapy They Will Do All Kinds of Scans of Your Neck and Back, Then When All That FAILS , The DOCS Will Recommend A Med Board, Then in About 8-10 Months You Will Either Be Medical Discharged or Medical Retired, If you have Enough Years in or It’s Combat Related, Then you GO Straight to the VFW / DAV or Legion and Get a VSO , Then Go to VA and Get Rated, and Keep Going Until You Get 100% P and T , VA Gave Me 40% at Discharge and It Took 5 years to get 100% , GOOD LUCK! And Ibuprofen Will Become a Good Friend

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 27 at 2021 4:34 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 04:34:12 -0400

From the PCM the recommendations should be the same regardless of where you sustained the injuries or how. PT, medications and a profile for the interim.

For the not so distant future you will want to establish any injuries remotely related to a deployment or combat directly. If there are none, then you will want to capture and highlight injuries that may have occurred during your day to day duties, field training, motor pool, a slip and fall.

This will likely end up with sone sort of review for classification and separation. Your long term health should be your focus, part of that is to ensure that the military and the VA are doing there part in your health after separation, should you separate.

If you do separate from service and your injuries are debilitating don’t forget to look intobSSI as well. You may be eligible regardless of VA/Military options.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Sep 27 at 2021 8:40 AM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 08:40:01 -0400

Keep copies of all medical records. File for VA comp asap.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Sep 27 at 2021 2:12 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 14:12:01 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member My cousin has similar issues with her neck, unfortunately hers was due to a poorly done surgery years ago. One of the things she tried was red light therapy. There are really expensive units you can buy that are $1000's of dollars, or you can go on eBay and buy a lightbulb and a gooseneck light. It works for her, and the bulb was $40, and she had a light stand. She got some relief after a couple of 20 minute treatments. All the best.

Response by PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln made Sep 27 at 2021 3:34 PM

PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 15:34:17 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member If it comes to seperating medically make sure you get a full copy of your medical record. It can save you time and headaches when you file for benefits.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2021 6:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:40:58 -0400

At the very least ask your PCM for either a CT or MRI of your back and a referral to a neurosurgeon.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2021 10:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 22:49:44 -0400

Got same thing in my neck. Constant blinding headaches.
Get an epidural in the neck, and radio frequency ablasion about every eight months.
Doesn't cure it, but makes it tolerable.
Good luck to you

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2021 2:54 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 14:54:01 -0400

Were you injured in the line of duty, without misconduct? Was it reported and investigated? It will matter later. Medically, the options are varied, but the PCM will advise you. Document everything. Degenerative disc disease and/or spinal stenosis does not improve with age.

Response by PO1 Douglas Baird made Nov 19 at 2021 9:11 PM

PO1 Douglas Baird — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 21:11:00 -0500

Are they calling it Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)? Also known as Forestier's Disease...
I've been under treatment for this since 1991 while still on active duty. The Va has me on ibuprophen and sumitriptan....

Response by CPO Kenneth Arbogast made Dec 20 at 2021 4:52 PM

CPO Kenneth Arbogast — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 16:52:49 -0500

Don't hesitate to ask for referrals to local providers if your base/facility does not have a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon on staff. And be sure you keep documentation of every appointment, civilian or military. I began having troubles with my neck in 1984 serving on an icebreaker. Continued until I herniated a couple of disks. Ended up with a caged fusion at Walter Reed. VA initially rated me 70%. Took 12 years to get resolve. Had a civil service career until I got a supervisor who didn't think disabled people could be fully qualified. Had to take an early retirement. Careful of the Ibuprofen and aspirin -- you don't want stomach issues. Ask your neurosurgeon about a "trigger point injection" for your neck and headaches. Radio ablation is good but short-lived. PEMF treatments are better for thoracic areas. Do all the PT recommended -- range of motion is a "use it or lose it" thing. Good luck.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 21 at 2021 3:47 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 15:47:47 -0500

It’s been 2 months since you posted the question so I’m guessing you have been to lots of medical appointments and maybe physical therapy. I’m the care giver for a lovely lady, my wife, who’s had two neck surgeries and one lower back surgery. Based on her experience here’s some opinions and advice.

Her neck surgeries involved removing injured disks and fusing the vertebrae. It greatly reduced the pain and relieved the impingement on a major nerve that was causing her to lose use of her left arm. On the down side she cannot turn her head beyond about 80 degrees to either side. Also her neck is shorter and therefore wider. Finally she let the surgeon go in through the front of her neck. It damaged her vocal chords and adversely effected her ability to swallow.

Her lower back surgery was a failure. Removed disks and put in wire baskets that were filled with bone. Also metal bridges between vertebrates. Surgeon damaged major nerve to left leg. She’s wheelchair bound now. Also went in through abdomen. Scar became infected. Took about a year to heal. Chronic pain in lower back and left leg. Requires narcotics.

My recommendation is do everything you can before opting for surgery. Physical therapy. Chiropractor. If surgery is absolutely necessary, get opinions from two surgeons. Go with the one you believe. Caution: if paralysis starts in arms, hands, legs, or feet, consider surgery immediately.

Best of luck. Praying for you.