Neck · cervical discs
Neck pain or stiffness may occur. Symptoms extending into an arm or hand call for assessment of possible nerve involvement.
Serving Oxford at our Shelton office
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment
Near Oxford, CT
Review neck disc changes and their possible relationship to your symptoms. At your first visit in Shelton, Dr. Dalfino will review your symptoms and discuss which treatment options may fit your findings.
Understand the condition
Understand the neck findings
Bring the cervical report and a timeline of your neck and arm symptoms. Tell us how the problem affects reading, driving or other daily tasks.
Back · lumbar discs
Lower-back discomfort may flare with sitting, bending or lifting. Describe any symptoms extending into your buttock or leg.
Your daily priorities
Tell us what you want to do more comfortably: drive, work at a desk, walk with your family or sleep through the night.
Your evaluation
Make a timeline of your neck and arm symptoms
If a report mentions cervical disc changes, bring it along with the approximate dates your symptoms began. Note whether arm symptoms appeared with the neck problem or later. Choose a task that has changed, such as reading or turning to check traffic. Ask which parts of the history and exam matter when discussing care or further evaluation.
Explain what you would like to do more comfortably, whether that means work, sleep, exercise or everyday tasks. Your goals help focus the conversation.
Meet Dr. Dalfino →Care planning
Review options for your specific findings
Discuss what the exam suggests and whether a non-surgical option or another evaluation is appropriate for your symptoms.
Care planning can include an appropriate activity or rehabilitation plan and coordination with other providers. Our aim is to help you make an informed decision about symptom management and everyday function; we do not promise to reverse disc degeneration or rebuild discs.
When to seek prompt medical attention
Seek urgent medical assessment for new or worsening weakness or difficulty walking. New loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the groin or saddle area, requires emergency assessment. Tell a clinician promptly about fever, a major injury or severe unexplained pain.
Questions before your Shelton visit
A little more clarity.
Does degeneration on an MRI always explain pain?
No. Disc changes can exist without symptoms. Your history and examination help determine whether a finding is relevant to your complaint.
Where can I learn about lower-back disc degeneration?
Visit our lumbar degenerative disc disease page. We assess your specific region and discuss whether our services fit your situation.
Can treatment restore a worn disc?
We do not promise disc regeneration or reversal of degeneration. Discuss realistic symptom and activity goals, how progress will be reviewed and when another opinion may be needed.
Related care
Keep exploring.
Patient education sources
General educational resources. These organizations do not endorse this practice or its services. Individual recommendations require an examination.
Directions
Getting to our Shelton office from Oxford
Coming from Oxford? Our Shelton office is about a 25-minute drive from central Oxford. Use the directions below to check the drive from your address before you head out.
Get directions from Oxford to the Shelton office
