Hi
I have C-spine issues at C3-4 and C5-6. Symptoms are burning pain down my left arm (C5-6 distribution) and neck stiffness, tightness and pain. Sleeping is a problem. I've had 2 MRIs and a myelogram. Done the PT, epidurals, etc. Still no better.

So now I'm scheduled with 2 surgeons for surgery and have to decide which way to go. Both are neurosurgeons.

Surgeon #1: Young, only 6 years experience. She wants to do a posterior foraminotomy to "clean up the disc." I like her, trust her, but still not so sure if you know what I mean. (I'm currently trying to get an appt with another doctor in her same clinic with much more experience to see me - this seems to be hard to do)!!

Surgeon #2 (different office and hospital than above doc) - Neurosurgeon with 27 years experience. He is ultra-conservative and would not even talk surgery with me until now, almost a year after seeing him the first time. He says I would do better with a one level fusion at C5-6 as this has more promise to help the neck pain and not just the arm pain.

I'm hoping for a visit with a more senior neurosurgeon in the office of doctor #1 to give me a tie-breaker decision. Hope I can get in to see him.

Another physician (not a surgeon) says I could always do the foraminotomy first, see what kind of relief I get and then go back later and get a fusion if it doesn't work. I hate the idea of 2 surgeries tho!

I have read the horror stories on this site about fusions and am really scared to go that route, yet I really want to get rid of this awful pain that has been pestering me for over a year now.

I hope some of you can give me some advise ASAP as I need to settle on which way to go this week.

Thanks so much for helping me!!

Diane