Im looking for some advice pls: I have had a C5,C6 fycuin last year, now i need a C7, C8 fusion. Has anyone had it done before and any result u can share... Im nervous as hell, 1st one (C5/6) no prob but domt know bout C7/8?? Any advice or info apreciated. Ive tried everything else, physio, acupunture, cupping, sterpoid injections, nothing has worked so for!

Hi Brad, to NT.

I have significant problems from c5-c7, and my orthopedic surgeon advised against any surgery because:

1. The success rate is so low as not to justify the risks involved (better than 50% chance/probability I would be the same or worse), and
2. Spinal surgery often weakens the spine immediately above and below the original site, requiring more surgery within a few years.

His recommendation instead was to opt for pain management and natural healing; the spine would eventually fuse naturally on its own with less risk/complications. I'm still in some pain, but I also feel some healing has occured as well.

I think your questions might get more answers in the Spinal Disorders & Back Pain forum
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

At the very least, I would try to learn as much as you can about your current condition, the surgery proposed, and then get multiple opinions. Then if you still decide to go forward with the surgery, find out all you can about the surgeon - reputation and experience/success rate with this procedure.

Doc

Hi,
I believe it depends on what is exactly going on in the cervical spine. I had c4-c6 done because bone spurs had grown and almost flattened my cord. It has been a few years and a cat scan revealed that my c3-c2 fused naturally. Unless there is a reason to do the surgery, like mine risking paralysis, i would leave alone and work with the pain. Read all you can on the cervical spine and surgery and ask the surgeon questions.

hope this helps,
L