Pending ACDF Surgery.....need support/feedback...
 

Here's a brief history. In January 2012 I was rear-ended while stopped at a red light. I was left with a concussion (from which I'm still having problems:confused:) and damage / injury to my cervical spine. Since the accident I've tried all the conservative treatments including injections, acupuncture, physical therapy, heat, cold, pain medications and muscle relaxants plus all the tests. I've been seen by 4 Orthopedic Surgeons, 2 pain management doctors and 2 Neurosurgeon.

My neck has been in constant pain since the accident the only thing that changes is the intensity, the pain medications and heat help, but they only make the pain bearable (most times). In the beginning it was only sharp pain, stiffness and burning, but in September I started having pains in my left arm and wrist with loss of strength, numbness and loss of feeling in my hand and fingers. :eek:.

In October one of the Orthopedic surgeons recommended a 2-3 level fusion at c4/5, c5/6, and c6/7. His demeanor made me uncomfortable so I walked out and I've since had a 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion and the one thing they agree on is that c4/5 has to be fused. The surgeon that I finally settled on has given me a month to basically wrap my head around the inevitable surgery, so I'm probably looking at surgery in late June or July.

That leads me here, I found this wonderful forum after the first doctor suggested surgery, I've learned a lot and It's great to hear stories from people who actually understand some of what I'm feeling. I wanted a chance to tell my story and get any suggestion or feedback from the great people on this site.

A little about me I'm in my early forties, my job recently retired me on full disability and besides the injuries from this accident I also have a partially torn ligament in my right ankle, numbness and loss of feeling and strength in my right hand and wrist, 4 herniated discs in my back that affects both my legs and feet, plus I had surgery to repair a full thickness tear in my right rotator cuff all from a injury a work.:eek:

Since this was so brief :D I'll add the info from my most recent MRI next.

MRI Results
 

The vertebral bodies maintain unremarkable height, alignment and signal characteristics. Suspicion is not raised for compression fracture or marrow replacement. Retropulsion is absent. Dens and posterior elements remain intact. Lordotic straightening is compatible with muscle spasm.

Background spondylosis is reflected by small osteophytes and some facet joint/uncinate process sclerosis.

Some disc desiccation has also developed.

C3-C4 possesses a central/left subligamentous herniation.

Another left sided subligamentous herniated component is encounted at C4-C5.

In addition, broad based annular bulges arise at C2-C3, C5-C6 & C6-C7.

Epidural compartment and thecal sac are effaced.

Exiting neural foramina are also undermined bilaterally, particularly at C3-C4, C4-C5 & C6-C7.

Central canal integrity is compromised. Intercanalicular caliber is mildly reduced. This is somewhat greater at C6-C7, measuring about 1 cm. Spinal cord surface is encroached as well, without resulting in significant deformity.

Cord emanates homogeneous intramedullary matrix pattern. No discrete mass, syrinx or collection is declared. Cerebellar tonsils are mildly low-lying.

IMPRESSION:
Degenerative changes. C3-C4 & C4-C5 herniations. Bulges. Canal impingement produced. Hypolordosis.

Hi and welcome~ I'm so sorry this happened. It sounds like you've tried almost everything to avoid surgery.

I just want you to be aware that surgery probably will not ease your pain. Surgery is ONLY for mechanical problems. It is NOT for pain. Chances are good that you'll have the same pain or worse after surgery. :( You might be lucky and get pain relief, but don't count on it.

Also, there is the "domino effect." The levels above/below the surgery site will fail. That is because they have to take on more of the load. This happens all the time. Usually the doctors don't tell you this. :( So at some point in time, you will need more surgery. Then after that, THAT level below the surgery site will fail, and you'll need more surgery again. It's a vicious circle.

Make sure before your surgery that you have help on hand when you get home because you won't be able and won't WANT to do many things. Have some meals frozen so you won't have to cook. Make sure you have a "grabber/reacher" so you don't have to bend over to pick things up or don't have to reach to get things that are on high. You can get these at some pharmacies or health supply stores. You will probably come home with a hard collar to wear. You might want to purchase a SOFT collar to have on hand. I find this VERY handy to wear when my neck/headache becomes a problem. I wear it for a short time, and the pain reduces quickly. You can't wear them very long or else the neck muscles will atrophy, but just a couple of hours every now and then is fine.

Get all your laundry done ahead of time, plus any cleaning that needs doing -- get it all done before surgery. You won't be in ANY shape to do it after surgery!

I'm sure there are other things. I hope others chime in with other ideas. Take care and God bless! Hugs, Lee :D

Hi lookieloo
 

Welcome to Neuro Talk. Sorry about what happened to you in the accident. You did fantastic in getting all the opinions. That is number 1 with what most of us tell people to do. I know you are afraid, and that is to be expected. I was the same way, seeking comfort and information right here. I also want you to know that there can be a good resolution with surgery. I had two cervical fusions, the last being C3-7.
That being said, you need to ask the surgeon you are comfortable with, one other question. You have other verterbre that you mentioned giving you trouble. There is something called the domino effect. The ones above the fusion site and below the fusion site fail. This can lead to a never ending trip to the surgical ward. You need to ask him if the verterbre above and below are sound and able to hold the hardware, risk factor, etc....
This happened to me. Good that you have a copy of your MRI. Post when you can. I sure wish you all the best as you go forward in this. I will be here to listen anytime. Recovery is very different in each and every case. Take care, ginnie:hug:

might you provide the
surgeons name with the poopy
demeanor so he could
be red flagged for us
patrons looking for help
finding good doctors
today
thanks much

someone who cares

just want to say hi
back here with
progressive above and
below is worse than above
i have so many things gone
wrong i came
out with the second surgery
i am crippled by my surgeon
mentioned in my posts vicious
lying denying but have got him
in so many lies
i now to add to my
long list of problems
inflicted by a looser
lost in his own sick denial
stole my life as i once
was
can't give that back
so i work with what i have to
work with
tough to trust doctors

someone who cares

Hi lookieloo
 

I just wanted to add a few things. There is a hair wash, no rinse formula at walgreens. Liquid you just rub in and your hair gets clean. Works great!
I also had a supply of adult wet naps for cleaning those first few days home.
Recovery for everyone is different. I also want you to know there can be a successful outcome with a reduction of pain. This happened for me, and I hope it will happen for you. I did have the domino effect, and had that second fusion. So far I am doing fine. I will keep you in my thoughts. Be good to yourself while you heal. We will all be here to support you. ginnie

Hi Eva -- I'm so sorry you had such a horrible time. :( There ARE bad doctors out there and you and I got them. I had a BAD doctor too, and because of him, I'm disabled now, just like you. :(

I guess what they say "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger" plus it makes us WISER too.

Perhaps you can help others because of what happened. I'm sure your experience would be of help to many people.

I wish you the very best Eva and please take care of yourself. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee :)

Thanks for the advice about the hair cleaner, and i do need to get a grabber. Between my neck and my shoulder I probably should have picked up the grabber sooner, but i usually just use my son:D.

I do have a question, right now i can still drive, will there be a loss in my range of motion if i end up with the two level fusion. And how long will it be before i can even think about driving after the surgery.:confused:

Your doc will NOT let you drive until at LEAST your follow up appointment. At least that's always how it has been with me. :( And then after that, it just depends on what he says, and how your exam goes at that time.

There COULD be loss of range of motion, but hopefully not much. It's a "wait and see" type thing.

There's always so much to think about, isn't there? :confused:

Try not to worry, though. You'll do just fine. ;) Plus you have all of us here pulling for you. Keep us posted, and if you think of other questions, just let us know, okay? Hugs, Lee ;)