Incredibly, I just found out yesterday that I likely will need to have a 2nd anterior fusion done in my neck. Had my c3/c4 done in middle of December, but about 2 weeks prior I started having really sharp, white hot pain on the other side of normal. Thought I was likely having some repetetive movement/overuse issues, because prior to my first surgery, I'd had really severe trapezius spasms on my first affected side and spent a lot of time trying to keep it as limber as I could.

First surgery went fine, without issues. Knew as soon as I was completely conscious that my situation was better. About a week after, my other side started showing hand strength loss, numbness in my forearm and tingling in my bicep, along with significant shoulder pain and sharp trap pain on the new side.

Had an MRI for my first issue in September. Had a second about 3 weeks ago. Between the two I'd had a substantial disk herniation at my c5/c6, leading to my new set of problems. Pretty certain it had occurred those two weeks before my 1st operation. Ugh...

Now, I've got a bit of a dilemma: We are taking a 2 week vacation to Scotland in mid/late May. I'm trying inflatable traction now, but really believe, given the condition I saw on the new MRI, that I should go ahead sooner with the surgery, in order to allow for a longer window of recovery. My original plans looked like I'd try traction for a month, then possibly surgery in mid March. Now I think I should try to get that pushed up and have it done in early March at the latest, and possibly the last week of Feb.

Any thoughts? I've really had an easy recovery so far with my first surgery. I would like to think this one should be as well, and likely be even more relief enabling, because the pain I have now is far worse than my first circumstance. Thanks for any input. Nice to find a place for some information and commiseration...