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 ;)

Thanks lee

Be positive, set goals
 

I had my three level acdf surgery (c5 to t1) on April 10, 2013. Six weeks and two days ago. I was scared to death but I decided to put my trust in my surgeon and to set goals for myself.

My first goal was to stand and walk as soon as possible. This I did immediately after leaving the recovery room.

The second goal was to take as little pain medication as possible. Therefore, I did not use the morphine hooked up to the IV line. I got off the oxycodone and valium at the end of my first week of recovery and even then only took one quarter of what was allowed.

Third, I wanted to leave the hospital early. So I only spent one night.

Fourth, I started work after a couple days (it is sedentary).

Fifth, I vowed not to complain and meet each day with a smile and renewed hope.

I know I am lucky. But I sincerely believe attitude matters.

I began driving after two weeks. Once you are off narcotics there is no reason you cannot drive.

I did wear my brace for the full six weeks and I do try to be careful about the weight restrictions. Otherwise, life is pretty normal and I can once again sleep at night.

Am I completely pain free, no, of course not. But it is night and day as compared to the last 9 years. My surgeon told my wife that my bone spurs were so severe that he could not believe I wasn't in for surgery five years earlier. I guess I've always been obstinate, but I am glad that I finally had the surgery. I'm looking forward to complete recovery and really hoping that my three level fusion takes and that there will be no need to go back in anytime soon.

Best of luck.

Hi I agree with Maxx!!



Postive attitude is so important. I had c4-c7 in 2010 no regrets gave me my life back. The recovery from surgery itself for me was no bad at all. The pain prior to surgery was horrible. Im grateful everyday to my surgeon when I wake up. With a two level fusion you should have a excellent range of motion.

Hi lookieloo
 

Hi, in regards to your range of motion. You will be just fine! I am fused C3-7, and had two rounds of PT. I still do the excersises with a large type of rubberband. I do have good range of motion. In driving, I do release the seat belt, to look over my shoulder in changing lanes in traffic. That is my only thing I do different. You will have good range of motion, and you should be able to drive just fine. ginnie

Thanks to everybody for all your positive energy, it definitely helps. I know surgery on fixes the mechanics but i hope it also relieves the neck pain and I also hope the nerve damage to my arms/hands isn't permanent, I hit that eighteen month mark in June.

I see the surgeon again in two weeks and I'll see what he has to say.

@maxxdog I wish after this one surgery I'd be able to get off the meds and move forward, but there is still the damage to my back that affects my legs. As for working, my job already retired me on total disability. So i get to figure out how to enjoy my retirement:p. Also if i waited to be off narcotics to drive i wouldn't have been driving the past 2 1/2 years:D.

Hope every one enjoys the long weekend. I'll keep you updated.

Sweetie, I doubt you'll get off your pain meds after surgery -- but YOU might be a miracle case. LOL Let us know anyway, okay? We'd surely like to know.

I wish you ALL the luck, my friend. I'm praying this works for you! God bless! Hugs, Lee :D

same thing for me
 

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 Ito 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.[/QUOTE]

So I was hit at a stop light as well. Car totaled. The pain I felt immediately. Headaches and such but then the numbness and weakness in my arms just got worse. I couldn't lift anything. I had to quit my job. The pain slowly moved to my legs. I'm 34 and I felt like I was sixty years old.I was so terrified to get surgery(since I've never had it before)but it was so worth it. everything was just going to get worse. I don't feel completely better it can take up to a year. My doctor said that the tissue in the spine grows back at a millimeter per month.. whatever pain I feel now would be much better than what it could have been. My surgeons told me that I could have been paralyzed within a few years. I hope everything works out and I hope you have a good lawyer. make sure you have someone to take care of you for at least a month.

Hello hdirwin
 

You did great with getting all those opinions. You are armed with knowledge. That alone should make you feel more comfortable about surgery. I hope this turns out OK for you, and that your pain level goes down. There can be very good outcomes for surgery. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know how you do. ginnie

Update......
 

Well I saw my surgeon today and I will be having a one level ACDF @ C4-C5, but I have to wait for workers comp to approve it. He is going to go over my MRI and X-Ray to ensure he doesn't have to change it to two level fusion.

Here are the answers to the questions I asked him.

With a one level fusion I WONT have a neck brace.
He will be using bone from my PELVIS:eek:.
I'll be in the hospital for at LEAST two days.
& His entire medical group uses the same local hospital so their patients are treated EXCEPTIONALLY well :D:D.

My question of the day, is there anything else I need to ask him. As always thanks in advance for your help.:hug:

Hi lookiieloo
 

Yes, ask him why he doesn't use donar bone. taking bone from the pelvis is much harder on a person. I would want an EXACT answer, and then I would get another opinion. Wish you all the best. ginnie

In his experience using your own bone fuses faster and better(your body won't try and reject it) and he wont use the artificial bone he prefers on a one level fusion because it can lead to overgrowth. Neither one of us wanted to use cadaver bone. He also said that with the technique he uses he only takes a minimal amount of bone and that taking it from the pelvis is better than the hip.

Thank for the great question Ginnie, it is one of the one we had already discussed. I've already had several opinions and he's the doctor I'm must comfortable with, but thanks for the suggestion.

The best decision I ever made in my life was the fusion of C5,6,7 in 2000!!
Then, another at L5,S1..2010.
If you want the pain relief, go for it. But, you must trust your Dr! I found a surgeon that I loved in Brevard, NC.. Dr. Angus Graham.. he was wonderful ..
I am just now diagnosed with a T3-T6 syrinx and awaiting MRI of spine and brain w/ constrast and I plan to contact Dr Graham and ask him his opinion! He is ortho but, I want his recommendation for neurosurgeon!

Update......
 

Hey guys just stopped by to give an update...... Workers Comp finally approved my surgery:D.... now just waiting on a date:eek:.

I had donor bone, and had no issues with recovery. Was only in the hospital for an overnight. I did 2 levels, and was in a brace for 3 months, though. For what it's worth.

I have a date
 

Well the big day is coming.... its September 5th.

So far I've picked up the dry hair cleaner, a wedge pillow and ordered a grabber.

Ive had some fun "sampling" jello & pudding:p

I have someone to take me to/from the hospital, but I still don't see me having help at home during the day.

Some of the members here have suggested preparing meals in advance, but what foods were y'all able to swallow the first week or so after surgery.

I'm open to help and support....... thanks in advance for your assistance.

So let the countdown begin, 1 month to go.

RE: foods
 

Hello. I hope all goes well for your surgery. I ate things like pudding, smoothies, oatmeal, even a pot pie was OK. It is the tougher foods like steak that was not on the list. Eggs, great any way they can be cooked. Pasta, was also good, with and without meat sauce. The swallowing issue will go away in time. I wish you all the best. ginnie:hug: