Quote:
Originally Posted by carolyncaswell
Hi,
I'm new to message boards and would greatly appreciate feedback from anyone who has had or knows of someone who has had ACDF surgery in five levels (C3-C7) using cadaver bone pieces. Two spinal surgeons recommended it after seeing my MRIs and Myelogram. Apparently, I have stenosis (little spinal fluid) and risk paralysis if I fall or get in an accident and I have spondylosis. I am in my early 60s and have always been told that I look like I'm in my 40s. One surgeon even said you can never tell what's going on in your insides from looking at you. I have moderate pain in my left arm, neck, and back, especially when I ride in the car; the pain started after foot surgery when I had to walk at an odd angle and after catching a falling ladder. The pain is better now and I can live with it, but my husband says that I should have the surgery. It seems that the surgery will limit considerably my mobility and might stress other vertabrae, along with the other risks of causing other chronic pain. The surgeon said that he does about 100 single-level ACDF operations a year and about 4-5 five-level ones like I need. He also said that he saw no other option. Has anyone had five levels done and if so what was recovery like and how are you now?
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Hi
I may be a little late with this reply. I had C3,4,5,6 fused 2 years ago. With a small piece of cadavar bone. I won't lie to you, the surgery was not fun. I wore a J collar for about 3 weeks at all times. Could not drive for 6 weeks. Had some problems swallowing for about a week, lost 8 #s in hospital. I have pretty good mobility in my neck now, most people can't believe its fused. I only have trouble looking down at my toes. The MRI of my neck looks like a bicycle chain!
I have arthritis in my shoulders, and the lami I had before fusion was a disaster. About a year after the fusion I developed pain in the scapular area. The docs say, because the cervical area is stabalized, I have developed scoloisis, and kyphosis. When everything flares, I am one hurting puppy. I also have thorasic DDD, and lumbar issues.
Would I do it again? Yes. You've heard the saying "if it aint broke, don't fix it? It was broke, I wanted it fixed.[/SIZE]
Barb