C6/C7 Disc Fusion Surgery for Rupture
 

Hello, I am new here so forgive me if any of my questions are out of line. In 1996 I ruptured c5/c6 and it was quite brutal as you can imagine. I decided against the disc fusion at that level and by a miracle it really healed up quite nicely with no major issues. This April/2012 I felt something pull in my shoulder blade as I was standing up and it got progressively worse to intense stabbing pain. My pain was in shoulder blade down to my wrist including deltoids. My suspicion was that it was the c5 c6 disc again, but I couldn't figure out why the pain was a little different and not centered in the neck. I do not take narcotic medications for the pain so it's quite bad. I went to physiatrist(sp?) and I did PT. In early June it appeared to heal up, but on July 11th, it did the same thing in the shoulder blade and it is still bothering to this day. I did CT myelogram and sure enough, my c6/c7 had ruptured. I was referred to a highly regarded neurosurgeon at that point. Per CT myelogram the c5/c6 is fine now and there are really no other issues in my spine. Doctor said per examination, I am losing strength in left arm which is quite scary. He said the "simple" fusion of 6/7 using cadaver bone and plate/not a cage, would stop the pain, but no guarantees on getting strength back. He said if I did nothing the strength loss and atrophy could get worse, better, or not change but it would eventually heal to no pain. I am so worried about this surgery which is scheduled for late September. I do not want to wake a sleeping giant in neck or other areas due to complications or unexpected outcomes of the surgery just to heal something that may already heal as the first one did. The strength loss is the main issue for me and the surgery may not help that. It is slowly getting better again and there is a slight strength return this week per PT. If anyone knows about this surgery, has personal stories or otherwise, I would so greatly appreciate it. Any information would really help me and gain you a good word from me to the Maker! It is brutal to even sit and type this post, but I am desperate. Also, I am in my mid 40s so I guess I am relatively young with no other health issues and would recover well from this surgery per doctor. Thank you!

This doctor actually told you that the surgery would "stop the pain?" Please RUN from this doctor, because the chances are you will still have the same pain or worse. NO doctor should promise that he can "stop the pain!"

Spinal surgery is NOT for pain. It is for mechanical problems ONLY. Almost ALL the time, you will still have pain. You should try ALL CONSERVATIVE METHODS before undergoing surgery and you should also get at least 2 more opinions before allowing this doctor (or any other)to even touch you, and I'd be skeptical about this doctor. :rolleyes: I AM concerned about the loss of strength that you're experiencing, so I'd try to get an appointment with another neurosurgeon as SOON as possible. Tell the next surgeon's office that you are having loss of strength so maybe they'll work you in.

Also, spine surgery begets spine surgery. For instance, I had 2 open spiine surgeries. The first was lumbar, at level L4-5. After that surgery, level L3-4 failed because it had to take on more of the load after L4-5 had been operated on. And so it goes. The levels above & below the surgery sites fail. It's called the "Domino Effect" and most doctors don't tell their patients about it. It happens with fusions too, which I did NOT have.

So again, make sure you get 2 other opinions, and get them soon if you can. And remember - you willl NOT be pain free. I wish you the very best. if you have further questions, just ask. Or you can private message me if you'd like. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee ;)

ti
 

I agree with Lee. Get a referral to another doc, then run. I will say that I had cervical surgery and the surgeon said that he would be stablizing the neck. He said that a nerve would be decompressed which might give me some pain relief but not to get all excited over the possibility. When the dust settled and I was healed, I was pain free and remain so after 18 years. There is arthritic change now which occassionally produces spasm. It's infrequent and easily eliminated with moist heat and a good muscle rub.

My lumbar was another story. I have had five surgeries. Each one increased the pain. Best wishes.

Thank you for your response! So sorry to hear about your failed surgeries and hope things improve for you. I see what you are saying about other opinions. That is a very sound and logical approach and I will do that. I wonder if cervical surgery outcomes are different from the lower spine. I guess if he is giving me false info, I should run. I will be having PT check strength in the morning. Monday it had improved which is good and as I type now, I have little to no pain so I think it could be healing up, or at least I pray it is. I do remember a loss of strength with c5/c6 rupture and that returned. I think that the domino effect with the spine is pretty common with fusions as they tend to change the dynamics of the spine--I certainly want to avoid that. I am really worried about this surgery and the information you provided is so helpful. I will let you know what happens but I am looking into a 2nd opinion. THANKS!!

Thanks for response! I am glad that the cervical surgery worked for you, it is too bad lumbar did not. Is lumbar harder to treat? I wonder if the surgery I may have has a better outcome record. I know that NFL football quarterback Peyton Manning had the same injury that I may have, and it was at the same level. They did the anterior cervical fusion and posterior surgery too on him. I am doing the 2nd opinion advised and I think I want to hold off on that surgery scheduled for 24th, at least hold off for now. I will update and thanks again!

c5
 

I am having c5 and 6 done in 3 weeks Can anyone please reassure me that I will be ok and will feel better? I am also having my Ulner nerve done.

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Whoa!!!!! :eek: Is the same surgeon planning on doing the ulnar repair and the cervical repair? Was there a nerve conduction study confirming that there is ulnar damage? Cervical and ulnar nerve symptoms are similar.

Several years ago, I started having terrible radicular pain going down my arm to my fingers. I assumed my neck had gone south again and went in to see Pain Man about it. He wanted to do a nerve conduction study which annoyed me. Thankfully, I kept my mouth shut and didn't play doctor. It turned out that he was right and I had a major ulnar compression which was repaired successfully.

You COULD be dealing with two seperate problems. Please get plenty of testing to confirm this. ;) Best wishes.