[lotero]

I'm not sure what to do??? I had a c spine fusion in 2008 to c4 through c7. I started getting numbness,pins and needles,and shooting pain in my right hand and up my arm. My neck is stiff as well as also having spasms and it seems to be getting worse. I contacted the surgeon that performed the fusion and had a MRI.After days of calling him for results he said I have issues with bone spurs in c3 and c4 to get ESI injections and that he felt surgery was not necessary he did not see any cord compression I disagreed and felt like he was not understanding the pain I was in so I went for a 2ND opinion to a neurologist.He looked at my MRI and did some tests on me including a carpal tunnel test.Based on his evaluation I did have a bigger problem then what the surgeon was suggesting and there was cord compression. He also said surgeons prefer not to mess with anything that already performed surgery on that maybe why he would not suggest surgery. I would like to fix the problem permanently and not have to go through injections all my life.Considering I will most likely have to get the surgery done at some point in my life I would rather not put a band aid on a broken leg or put off the inevitable I prefer the surgery. I have children and a career to consider. I can't be immobile every few months. I'm not sure how to get my surgeon to agree with us otherwise I have to go outside of my area and have another surgeon preform the surgery.
please any advise would be helpful

[Leesa]

I certainly don't understand your surgeon AT ALL. I would think he would WANT to do more surgery -- that's what surgeons DO. if you have bone spurs, I don't see where injections are going to help much. They aren't going to solve the problem at all even if they WORK for a short time. Many times the injections dont work at ALL. So it might just be a waste of time & money.

I don't know if this surgery is involved or not -- I don't know that much about "fixing" bone spurs on a fused area. If it's a very 'involved' surgery perhaps he's looking at it as it's not worth the risk. I really don't know. I wouldn't think it would be that bad, but again I just don't know. Can you get the recommendation from the neurologist and take it to the neurosurgeon and have a talk with him?? Discuss what the neurologist said about the fact that you NEED the surgery. Personally, I would avoid surgery at all costs if i could -- it only causes more & more surgery on down the line most of the time. But if you're at risk for permanent nerve damage, etc., then chances are you DO need surgery! Talk with your original doc & see why he doesn't want to do it.

Best of luck & let us know what happens. God bless. Hugs Lee

[Darlene]

lotero,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Here are a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Click on the following forum for some assists:

Spinal Disorders & Back Pain
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene