Avoided surgery C5-C6 cervical Delhi

"ACDF was 'recommended quickly'. Posture + neuro-mobilization fixed me in 6 weeks."

— Harpreet Kaur, 49 · Vasant Kunj, Delhi

HK
Age
49
Location
Vasant Kunj, Delhi
Condition
C5-C6 cervical disc
Outcome
Avoided surgery ✓

Before Orthosist

"I'm a school principal, so my days involve a lot of looking down — reading reports, writing, screen time. Neck pain crept up over a year. Then tingling started in my right hand, particularly the thumb. Cervical MRI at a leading hospital showed C5-C6 disc bulge. The neurosurgeon recommended ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion). Quote: ₹4.5 lakh."

"Cervical spine surgery is not minor. The idea of having metal cages fused into my neck terrified me. I asked our school doctor for a referral for a second opinion. She suggested Orthosist."

The Orthosist Council Verdict

Diagnosis: C5-C6 disc bulge with mild C6 nerve root irritation. Significant forward head posture. No motor weakness, no myelopathy. Cervical disc bulges in this range common in 70%+ of asymptomatic 50-year-olds.

Surgery required? No — neuro-mobilization + posture has very high success rate for this presentation.

Recommended path: 6-week neuro-mobilization protocol with senior MPT, postural retraining, workstation ergonomic overhaul, re-evaluate at Week 6.

After 6 weeks

"Twice-weekly physio in my home. They restructured my office desk and chair height. Specific neck exercises I do twice a day. By Week 4 the thumb tingling stopped. By Week 6 my neck pain was 90% better. I returned to a normal life — and a properly set-up desk."

"They didn't fix my disc — they fixed everything around it. That was the difference."

PROGRAM USED
  • • Free Council Assessment
  • • 6-week customized cervical protocol
  • • Workplace ergonomic redesign
  • • 12 physio sessions (twice weekly)
OUTCOME (4 months later)
  • • Tingling: resolved
  • • Neck pain: 90% reduced
  • • Full work days, no limitation
  • • Saved ₹4.35 L net

Cervical disc surgery (ACDF) suggested? Get a second read first.