A 36-year-old woman with no significant medical history presented with a two-year history of worsening neck pain and bilateral upper extremity discomfort. She initially pursued conservative management, including physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and over-the-counter medications, with minimal relief. An MRI of the cervical spine showed bulging discs at C5-6 and C6-7, without evidence of cord compression.
As her condition progressed, she developed new-onset hand weakness, difficulty with fine motor tasks, and autonomic symptoms such as blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations, dizziness, and excessive sweating. Cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology evaluations were largely unremarkable, except for cervical stenosis. Follow-up MRI studies demonstrated worsening stenosis, with a large herniated disc at C6-7 causing severe stenosis and a smaller disc protrusion at C5-6.
She underwent a successful double disc replacement at C5-6 and C6-7. Postoperatively, she experienced immediate improvement in motor strength and balance, with a complete resolution of her autonomic dysreflexia symptoms.