Need Help - ACFD Surgery
 

I fell going for a jog in the beginning of January and landed on my neck and shoulder area.
I was temporarily not able to move my arms or legs for about 5 - 10 seconds.
After that I was able to get up and thought I had hit my head.
The next morning I realized my head didn't hurt but my shoulders and arms (bicep area) did (had trouble moving my arms due to pain) and my neck was a little sore.
I had been moving furniture the day before and went to the gym later that night (night before the fall) and wasn't sure if the shoulder/arm pain was from moving furniture, the fall itself, or landing on my neck.
I went to the emergency room where they took MRI and X-rays, put me in cervical collar, gave me pain meds and sent me home the next night.
After resting for 6 weeks I have no pain or apparent neurological issues. A few days ago I had some residual slight discomfort in my shoulders and the very top of my left forearm near my bicep but it seems to have gone away.
I met with two neurosurgeons the first one wanted to do a C3 - C6 ACFD. The second doctor recommended a C3 - C4 ACFD, saying the other disks were herniated but not as much a problem. He said its good that I have no pain but the C3 - C4 disk is herniated compressing the spinal cord. He also said getting the surgery was optional.
He was worried that if I were to fall down the stairs or get in a car accident the injury could become worse and I could be paralyzed. He also said even if that didn't happen 10 - 15 years from now the herniated disk could become worse off and possibly cause some damage and then I would have to get the surgery anyway.

I was really hoping I wouldn't need surgery considering I have no pain.
Does any one have any advice for me being the surgery is optional?

Do you have a copy of the written MRI report to share?
The terminology used on it will help us to give best replies.

Have you had any expert PT , sometimes they can help resolve herniations..
I certainly wouldn't jump into surgery if you have no pain or symptoms.

I'm assuming dr always give a generic worst case scenario to cover their rears..
Or possibly to scare some into surgery..:rolleyes:

I wouldn't go crazy doing risky or neck aggravating activities tho..:)

If you decide to do surgery at some point - I'd look for the most skilled dr you can find..

I believe I have the reports, I will look for them and post them.
Here is a link to an image from my MRI.
*edit*

attachment info from FAQs-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fa...b3_attachments

Sorry can't post images or links yet...also I have not had any PT yet, no doctor has recommended me that treatment yet.

I would do some searching on info about PT & herniations.
Perhaps some traction might be beneficial, it depends on many factors I'm sure.
But I would look for info on that approach first.. expert PT
maybe even some videos on you tube if you find traction or PT is an option..

Here are some links-
https://www.google.com/search?q=PT+%...ons&gws_rd=ssl

Thanks! I will definitely look into that and ask my doctor if I can try this option.

I went to see an orthopedic spine surgeon who agreed with my neurosurgeon that I need surgery. He originally wanted to do a C3 - C4 ACDF. But I asked him about the C5 - C6 area on the MRI as it looked compressed to me on the sagittal image. He said it might be a good idea to do that area also. If he did this he would do a posterior cervical fusion and fuse C3 - C6. No bone graft would be needed because he would use my own bone in my neck...crushed and sculpted (not sure how this works, I have to research this)? He ordered me a contrast CT Scan (which I just did) so he could make sure he does only the surgery needed. I go back to see him with the CT Scan Films on Monday.

I'm still in no pain and the slight discomfort I had in some areas has completely subsided. My arms and more so my hands however started slightly tingling a few days ago. The orthopedic spine surgeon said I also have hyperreflexia, although I did have a large coffee before I went in to see him so not sure if that made a difference.

The good news is that he said I can return to any and all activities I chose once the bones or fused weather he has to do one level or three. This is great news for me because I lift weights, run, and am a fencer. He said I will still be able to do all of these things and take up alligator wrestling if I wish : ) This is great news for me, I was starting to get depressed thinking my sport days were through (big part of mt life), thank god.

He did say there is a chance of additional surgery being needed. Three percent per year for up to ten years up to thirty percent, then after that the chance for additional surgery reduces significantly. So sounds like a better chance of not needing it. The only thing I was thinking is that what if I did need additional surgery? Then that surgery required additional surgery, etc? Would my entire spine end up being fused over time?

Thanks For All The Help!

I had my surgery about four weeks ago today. The surgeons decided to do a multilevel fusion after reviewing the MRIs and CT Scan, C3 - C6. After awakening from my surgery I was told they found they only needed to do a single level fusion : ), C3 - C4. I was in the hospital for two days recovering, then sent home with pain pills. I have been resting and am not to drive or do any form of exercise for another two weeks. I also had two follow up visits since the surgery with x-rays and all is well. There is some tingling in my arms and hands which my surgeon expects to go away on its own. Besides the arm/hand tingling I am no longer in pain. The incision area has minimal scaring at only four weeks post surgery. The incision area is numb, under my chin but has been slowly regaining feeling. So, so far my surgery has been a success and I hope to soon return to all of my activities.