Does anybody have experience with surgery for multi-level disc hernations in the cervical spine? What did you have done and how did it go? I have degenerative disc disease, disc bulging, disc-space narrowing, anterior/posterior osteophyte formation at all levels of the cervical spine. Symptoms are the usual tingling in face, back of neck, scalp, arms, hands and torso. Also possible tingling inside the mouth tied to irritation of the trigeminal nerve complex.

I have surgical consults coming up and would love any insights or guidance.

Dbrow

I have the same problems with my c spine. Peripheral neuropathy all over. I have not had surgery but i am also very interested in hearing from someone who has had the experiance.

Best of luck, i know its no fun dealing with this.

I had cervical laminoplasty surgery this past Feb for cervical stenosis. It was to buy me an additional 3-5 years of neck flexibility but it did not take. This past Sept had a fusion of the c spine C2-T1. All hardware from the laminoplasty were removed and two rods were inserted into the shoulders with the spinal column screwed into the rods which now support my neck and head. The cervical stenosis became worse. A normal c spine is 10mm in size, mine had shrunk to 6mm and compressing the spinal cord, cause for the fusion.

It was the hope of the neurosurgeon that the fusion would bring a halt to continued spinal cord damage (myelopathy) and that there might be some improvement to symptoms. I still have difficulty walking which may be coming from lumbar stenosis at the L5 area. But one result from the fusion is an increase of loss of sensation from the waist down and now going up the back. I am at a loss if this is the result of the fusion or if something else is going on causing the numbness. I still have a follow up with the NS next week and hope will have some answer to this.

David

I had a cervical C5-C7 ACDF (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion) in 2006. Prior to the surgery I had major nerve pain down my left arm with numbness and tingling in my index and middle fingers. Even though I continue to have other spine problems, the ACDF was one of the easiest surgeries I've been through and gave fantastic results - even just as I awoke from surgery that nerve pain was gone!

How are you know. Just had the same surgery 12/9/2010. I am 4 weeks out and getting depressed. Still issues with swallowing, very limited rotation and some numbness of the left thumb. I am still glad that I had the surgery, just concerned.

Hello, I just had six month ck with Cat Scan. I am fine. I still however have issues with my throat. The swallowing is still in issue and I must drink water with a meal. For the relelief all over I have, it was worth this outcome, even if this is a permanent problem. there are worse things than having to drink water with meals. I hurt alot less. I also had a complete reversal of my spinal cord, Swan neck deformity from years at my art work. It made the operation worse for me because they changed the direction of my neck as well as all of C-3-7 as it goes. I am doing great! There are a few tinges here and there, for me it is a relief from most of the pain I was experiencing. I had old hardware removed and this was the second surgery on what was a failed neck fussion. This one worked. C1-2 is good on mobility. T1 has signs of disease. I will have to be carefull to keep these two in good shape. I have the same degenerative disease you do. You will get better, I do believe that. I also started thearapy at 4 weeks and continued with the whole of therapy. ginnie

What can or does make this condition worse? Is there anything that people typically do in a normal day that can make this worse? I have been having severe pain for about two months now. Initially, I thought it was carpel tunnel or an ulnar nerve issue with my hands/arms...so I filed a workers comp claim through my employer. Long story short...I was harrassed by my employer with regard to the WC claim, the claim was dismissed because that wasn't the issue. I got the diagnosis yesterday of CPS....unfortunately, I was also terminated from my job yesterday due to issues directly related to my condition. I really need some answers. I know that what they did was wrong...they should have given me FMLA and allowed me to do short term disability in order to take care of this. I have been upfront with them all along on this.

I'm sorry to hear this Hellion. Im not sure what CPS is. I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel for 8 months until they realized my spinal cord was being pinched off. Seems CT is a catch all now for arm pain.
I would speak with the doctor, maybe he or she can help with the disability.
Where I live we have state disability.

my original diagnosis was like yours, they treated me for 6 months for carpel tunnel and ulnar nerve, it wasn't until I had my first CT scan after 6 months of agonizing physio that they discovered it was my c-spine pinching the nerves. I too am off on comp (WSIB) but they just transferred my original diagnosis over to the correct one and kept my same file going since I never went back. I am now 3 weeks post op, in less pain then before surgery, and on less pain meds, (although I still take oxy & percs) but I'm still not healed or out of pain completely. I have solved the pinched nerve in my ulnar nerve completely, and my wrist is 90% better, I have a little residual numbness in my last two fingers but I've been told this can take up to 2 years to go away completely. My swallowing issues have all cleared up, and the only thing that is really bothersome is the damn muscle spasms in my shoulder area and sore achy neck. I have a hard collar that I'm required to wear for at least 5 more weeks, then i will have xrays to see about getting that off. Interesting to see how I feel when this collar comes off, it's very uncomfortable. (especially sleeping with it).

I'm glad I had the surgery, I was in much more pain before then now. Now I just need to stay positive and patient while I heal... easy to get bored and climb the walls not being allowed to do anything or drive.

Good luck to you, I'm sorry you lost your job over this, that was definately unfair, since you were being honest, you had no way of diagnosing yourself, and it's the doctor's responsibility to correct misdiagnosis with a compensation claim. I had the same thing, and I was very stressed about my job. I'm still off work for at least 5 more months to heal, I imagine it's going to be a bit stressful returning since my absence has been so long (makes for bad feelings with some coworkers).

take care,
Cathie

Have just had a recent consultation and have been advised that I need a cervical cage surgery BUT can't have it until my condition worsens! Have bad neck, soulder and pain, pins and needles numbness. I understand that the surgery does carry serious risk and is NOT carried out unless absolutely the last resort. However, my concern is that after a certain point the damage is permanant. When is the right time for surgery? I have been given an appoinment for 6 months ahead but need to contact them if there is any change. I know limb weakness and any change in bladder/bowel is a concern but is SO scary..waiting, knowing you will evetually have to have it done but not knowing how bad you have to be

Anyone with advice or that have already had thay surgery would be really good to hear from you

2hearts (new to group)