3 level cervical fusion one year ago now more surgery
 

Hi every one! I'm Sheila and new to this forum. I had a three level cervical fusion last year (March 2009). I have had constant pain since. I went to my neuro yesterday to find out that I now have a herniation at C7-T1 and it's because of the fusion and those vertebraes taking the brunt of the fusion. It's going to be a long process for me. Anyone go through something like this?

Hi and welcome
I had 4 level cervical fusion done in 05. And they are fine. Everything else around, above, and below, has gone down the toilet. I haven't had a MRI done in several years, my PMs and PTs have told me what's going on just from my telling (complaining?)

I have a constant dull ache at C1&2 sometimes with a low grade headache. I have khyphosis, scoliosis, radicuopathy and osteophytes. A sharp burning pain at T1 and down a few. The NS who did the laminectomey botched it, and left me with permanent nerve damage in my right arm. Makes insect bites real interesting!

All of that came from the fusion, and the lami before it. And it probably has more to do with my former job than anything else, but there may be lumbar surgery in my future too.

Because of that job, I was extremely limited in pain meds. I do Botox injections, PRN.

Good Luck

Sheila,

I haven't had a fusion yet but was advised to have a cervical fusion. I've heard that the levels above and below tend to go bad because they're taking up the slack for the fused joints. The surgeon specifically mentioned this as a possiblity after having the fusion. In your case, it sounds like this is what happened to C7-T1.

Sorry that you're facing another potential surgery.

I hate to say it, but this is what happens after spinal surgery, even if you DON'T have fusion. I've had 2 open surgeries, but no fusion and i had to have the 2nd surgery because of the first! Now i have 4 more herniations because of these surgeries, but I'm now inoperable due to osteoporosis, so i have to live with it.

you see, the doctors don't tell us this. why should they when they make big buck from the surgery? they don't tell us of the danger of further surgery. mine certainly didn't. he wanted the money. now i'm forced to suffer because of his greed!

it''s the same for all of us who go thru this. too bad we can't prove it, huh?
God bless. hugs, Lee

New too--find this depressing
 

Hi all. I'm 53 and have been in very good health all my life--except for last 2 yrs....now I feel like I'm falling apart...first menopause hit, and passed, and then depression. Got on Cymbalta and Xanax. Started having sharp neck pains last fall and thought they were the "brain zaps" associated with Xanax. Then my right hand starting going numb. Went to primary care Doc who sent me for xrays and referred me to a neuro, who sent me for MRI and then referred me to surgeon...Need 3 fusions and he's saying a metal plate put in---???---Reading all your comments, now I'm really scared! Would taking calcium or glucosamin help? Excercising? Physical Therapy? I hear I will have to stay "still" for at least 6-8 wks to let spine fuse...Doesn't anyone have a good outcome/ success story??? It makes sense to me that most people that come on to post are because they have bad outcomes and need to vent---so those of us that maybe have good results need to make sure to come back on and post too.... Am I kidding myself? I consider myself a "young" grandma and have a very active 3 yr old grandson! HELP!

hi ~ i hate to say this, but all too often after fusion OR just regular spinal surgery, the areas above and below the area operated on fail because they have to pick up the slack. For instance let's say C4-5 is operated on. Part of that disc is removed. They can't take all of it or it will be bone on bone. ok, so that area is now very weak, and the areas above and below must bear more of the weight to make up the difference of what C4-5 can't bear. Trouble is, after a time, those areas above and below are going to get 'tired' and they are going to fail too because they can't keep taking the extra weight. so they are going to herniate too. this keeps happening as long as the person keeps having .surgery.

doctors keep recommending surgery because patients keep saying yes. then they get their exhorbitant fees. wonderful, huh? if I were you, i'd get at least 2 more independent opinions, and see what they say. even if one of them says no surgery, i'd take his answer. then i'd go into pain management, and use a more conservative method for pain for as long as i could.

as long as your spinal cord is NOT being compromised, you're ok. if it is, then you. NEED surgery best of luck and god bless. hugs, lee

No Surgery-??? Read this book
 

I'm researching this Cervical Stenosis thing before I have my surgery to repair 3 levels and came across this book at the library: Mind Over Back Pain by John Sarno, MD. Read it!!! Very different thinking and I ten to agree with him on some points but if my spine IS compressed as my MRI shows, am I safe NOT having surgery????!!! (The book basically says the pain is from tension---fix your tension and your pain will get better) funny thing is, the last year and half have been extremely stressful for me and I am wondering what will happen if i don't have surgery........anyone know anyone that has stenosis but opted NOT to have surgery????

Hi Tucson Grandma ~ Alot depends on how bad the stenosis is. I would get at least 2 independent opinions from Neurosurgeons and see what they say. If your doc and the other 2 all agree that you need surgery, then perhaps you do. Stenosis CAN be serious and if 3 surgeons think it's necessary, then you might want to listen.

But i didn't think they would have to repair 3 levels to repair stenosis. I might be wrong, and I probably am, but I'd ask a Neurosurgeon what the right was is to fix stenosis. IF that is the biggest problem. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

TuscanGrandma -

I agree with Leesa. You should consult with several neurosurgeons. I have moderate bilateral cervical stenosis at C5/C6 and moderate central canal stenosis at T12 to L3. The NS said fusion is the only treatment for stenosis as it only progresses. I know fusion is in my future but I'm holding out until conservative modalties don't offer symptom relief. One concern with stenosis is the bone is growing impinging on the nerve(s) and/or the spinal canal so stenosis can be quite serious.

A friend of mine had a two level cervical fusion for severe stenosis (literally no space left for the nerves) and she is doing great (10 months post-op). She didn't work or drive for about 7 years before they discovered the neck problem. She is actually considering returning to work and has started driving.

Good luck!

Tucson Grandma, I agree with the others that you might want to get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. I never did because I trusted my Neurosurgeon and knew his credentials. Anyway, I am also 53 and have had two cervical fusions two years apart. Yes, I sometimes have residual pain. But what you need to understand is the goal is not to be rid of a pain. The goal is to STABILIZE your spine. A good surgeon will tell you that pain relief is an added benefit. I went back to my own Neurosurgeon many times before my first surgery as I kept having questions. In any case, if you are having numbness, that is a sure fire sign that a nerve and/or your spinal cord is being compressed. And yes, you can have stenosis at several levels. Chances are you have several joints that are arthritic. Mind over matter will not help this nor will supplements. You could try injections and even PT or traction. But be careful! Traction actually made me worse. Then again, I am not so sure an injection or several would even help at this point considering the numbness. I should have clarified also. I went through 3 years of conservative treatment until it couldn't be helped anymore. So, it is not necessarily true that the docs are just out for money. And it is not necessarily true that another level will herniate or blow out simply because you have had other fusions. It IS true that the levels above and below take on the load. I have one disc sandwiched between my two fusions but there is no sign of it herniating or even breaking down. Again, the goal is STABILITY and to stop any neurological deficits from progressing. You don't want to lose the use of your arms as an example. Last but not least and as my pain management doctor always says, the cervical spine is a far cry from the lumbar and a totally different ballgame. I think I would heed your NS's advice or get other opinions. But there is something definitely going on that needs to be addressed. And you will lead a different lifestyle. Once you have this done there is no going back. For myself, I know what activities can trigger some pain and I try to be careful about what I do. Oh, and you will need at least 6 months to a year before it fully fuses. Since he wants to do several levels I would ask about a bone growth stimulator. They work!! Good luck!

I guess it doesn't get any better
 

:(

I had ACDF on C5-C6 back in March. It wasn't very long ago but I still have a constant ache where the surgery was done. The fluid from the disc was going into my spinal cord and compressing it, leaving me with no feeling in both arms and hands and started affecting my legs.

I sometimes wish I would not have had the surgery but know that if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to walk today. Is really doesn't get any better, does it? When i asked the doctor again today about the chronic pain and some numbness that I still have, he doesn't have any certain answers on anything. What am I supposed to do now?

I had a good outcome and would do it again
 

TucsonGrandma, HI I just wanted to let you know that on boards like these you do hear a lot of horror stories that would scare anyone. But this past Dec (2009) I had a 4 level cervical fusion from C3-C7 but my surgeon did not use the usual ways the fusion surgeries ar done and that is why I believe I have had such a different experience from most people I hear about. Google "PEEK PREVAIL" I had 4 of those put in my neck instead of the usual bone grafts or cages and plates. I do still have some pain but I am also only 7 months post-op. I didn't have to stay still for 6-8 weeks or anythign crazy like that. I wore a soft collar for 5 weeks and wasn't allowed in a car (for fear that one accident could be really bad) but that was about it. I wore a Bone Growth Stimulator for 4 hours a day for 6 months (which wasn't near as bad as it sounds) and I feel a lot betterthan I did pre-op. It will never be like God made it but it will do for now and I would recommend it if you had the right surgeon using the right equipment. By the way I am only 42 and still have grandkids to raise too one day, I hope. Good Luck and let me know what you do.
Jennychele

cervical issues
 

[Hi Shecraw, or sheila, I am new to the site too, and learning to find my way around. I have your problem too. I am Post 6yr. C-6-7 fussion and plate and am not told I have to have 4-7 done. I was just told yesterday and I am terrified. I am in alot of trouble and I don't know if I can go through more. I can't make myself call the neuro as I should today. How can you re-do a fussion? I have narrowing of the cord and spinal compression 4-7. This happened after the 6-7 fussion. Can all of them be done like that> how many have you had fused?

cervical fright
 

Hi lisa, I have been re-plying to all with the cervical issues, for information and comfort. I am post 6 yr. C-6-7 and I was told yesterday I need alot more done. I had been herniated at 5-6 too at the time and he did't address it. He only did the emergency C-6-7, now I am deterorated badly, and 4-7 need surgery I am told. I am frightened. I don't know what to do. This Dr. did not do all he needed to do at the time because I had no health insurance. I had pre-existing condts. Now I am left with severe degeneration of the ones above 6-7

Re: doubt
 

Hi leesa, I am ginnie, new and desperate. Is it true if you have cord compression you do have to have the surgery? I do lessa and I am terrified.

Just checking back withyou, Virginia.

I'm going to get in touch with Jo*mar to see if she can put your posts on one page for us.

Do you know how to copy what you're posting and paste to another member. Saves a lot of retyping.

You highlight your text. simultaneously do Ctrl+C. this copies the highlighted text. go to the place you want to paste and do Ctrl+V. This should paste your previously typed text.

So sorry you're faced with another surgery. I know it must be scary. You have reason to be worried. It'll be okay. :grouphug:

There's a new thread for Virginia here -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread130149.html

Re: more surgery
 

[I liatened to all of you on this thread. I am post6-7 fusion facing a new neruo this tuesday, 4-7 compressed cord. I don't know if I want to do this. How do you made that decision

Some older studies say that about 20% of fusions wind up putting a strain on other nearby vertebra. So this can happen.

Cervical spine disc replacement
 

Do people know you can now get articial cervical disc replacement rather than fusion, and insurance now pays for it. It is better to do than a fusion. One of the doctors I just consulted with for my lumbar spine is one of the doctors in this country in Chicago who does this. You end up with an artifical disc so that you can still move your neck well, and they can do multiple levels. Then there is not the problems with discs above and below the fusion of starting to bulge over time. I wish I had been able to have this when I had my c4-c5 fusion. I have a cadavar bone where the disc was and a plate and pins put in fromt he front. It helped a lot as my spinal cord was being pushed on, and I was losing the ability to use my left arm. I have some arthritis now where the nerve comes out at C4 and had a shot that helped some. Eventually something will have to be done to open the hole so the nerve is not being pinched.

You can also get artifical disc replacement for lumbar spine too, but this is not yet approved by the insurance companies. I wish it was as I need surgery on lumbar area L1 and L2 and likely L3 and L4. I can barely walk as I am in a lot of pain, and now the right leg goes totally numb for a time and feels like a dead log. Now the left leg starts too. I have to do something before I end up paralyzed from the waist down. I was told this could happen.

cervical fusion
 

Hi Tucson Grandma,

Don't know if you've made your decision yet, but I too live in Tucson and had cervical fusion surgery a few months ago. Talking to physical therapists, the outcome of the surgery is very much dependent on the surgeon, and everyone tells me that mine is the best - my husband is a physician as well so I also have lots of inside knowledge.

Different surgeons use different types of procedures for cervical fusions, some which require hard collars, some which don't. The procedure I had used plates as part of the fusion. Good thing too, since I blacked out and hit my head a few weeks after surgery. Surgeon said that I should be more worried about the floor since the titanium plates weren't going anywhere. I also wore a bone stimulator for a couple of months. Four months later my neck is pretty much fused, my x-rays look great, and my neck is better than it has been in years.

I had the surgery because of compression to the spinal cord, vertebral subluxation causing chronic severe headaches and nerve injury affecting the arms. Otherwise I don't know. Before these symptoms developed I had been going to a pain specialist for several years to treat the pain - there are a lot of things they can do.

So, get several opinions as to whether you have to have the surgery now, or if you can try other things first.

Your ride has just begun!
 

I have been through 10 surgeries, including three months in Physical Rehabilitation. Mainly to learn how to walk with twenty pounds screwed to my head. I never fused and have hardware, cages, plates, and screws from C 3/4 to T 2/3. If you are really looking into another surgery, by all means do some intensive research on your Neuro and Ortho. Every time I had another surgery I ended up with more pain. No more for me. I'm just going to try to get by w/the pain. I still have several hernitations, but until I end up w/cord compression again, no more. I hope I did'nt scare you but, I just wanted you to know, it may get worse. Take care of you and make some well informed educated decisions. I call my Ortho, "the car salesman w/ an AXE! He said he would lessen the pain. HA ha So Funny. Good Luck, WTR Nymph

Research and Education
 

Hello, You sound like me about 6 years ago. Please research your docs. I'm sitting here at 10:00p.m. when I should be in bed. I have not slept well since my last surgery which resulted in a halo for four months. I currently have a PICC line and drag around a bag full of meds. I've done this for the past 4 months. Hospital aquired infection. I don't want to scare you but hold on as long as you can. I still have several herniated discs, but until they impinge my spinal cord, I'll remain wandering around in the middle of the night. Take care and make a well educated decision!

Cervical Fusion
 

Hi Jennychele
my Dr. proposed the same thing for me, 4 levels cervical fusion, but I`m terribly worried about the loss of range of motion in my neck. How limited is your neck movement? They told that I would loose 40% range of motion...
Can you please tell me more about your experience?
Thank you

Patty

I have had a C7 T1 fusion as well as a triple cervical above. it seems that both surgies were dificult to go thru. Every day you think " Oh, God when will this get better. Then each day you notice a little more range of motion as well a a decrease in pain. Then one day you will be doing something and realize that , wow, I havent had to have a pain pill all day. It is a gradual and difficult recovery. But if you do what you are instructed to do and you have had an excllent surgeon. You should be fine. As I said, it will take time and it is invasive. But I know that it was well worth it. I was in extreme pain all the time before the surgery. ALL THE TIME. After the surgery there were days that I thought OMG It was better before I had the surgery. But then as you recover you find that it was well worth it. You will be in my prayers and I wish you well. I hope you have a good support system. It will take someone to help you the first week or so or maybe even longer. I have a 27 year old daughter with cerebral palsy and had to care for her. I had no one to help. So it was difficult. But I made it thru and am s much better. Sandy V.

[i had c4 thru c7 ---fusion in 7-2010 and have no regrets ---no im not perfect but 90% improved --yes always get 2-3-consults --I have been told most surgeons will not even consider this surgery unless your spinal cord compressed. Best wishes to both of you!!