My primary physician has said i have RSD. Im not sure if that is the same thing as complex regional pain syndrome.

Yes, it is the same. You should look at the "reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome" page on this site without delay. You have a tremendous amount of self-education ahead of you. You must be an active participant in your care now more than ever. It is a condition where early intervention gives you a better chance towards improvement but understand there is no cure.

:Thanks I will lookk at the RSDS board as well.

I trust you will not have any sort of carpal, median or ulnar "release" unless you have had a nerve conduction study that demonstrates where the problem (s) is. Years back, I could have sworn that my neck had gone south again but Pain Man insisted on doing the study before sending me for a surgical consult. It turned out that I had a badly compressed ulnar nerve. I had him set me up with his surgeon of choice and had it repaired. It's been almost eight years ago and I can say it was a total success. To this day, I may have some occassional light tingling in my little finger if I push the envelope relative to my hand/arm. I would repeat that in a heartbeat. I can't say that about most of my spinal surgery. Best wishes.

Yes, I had some of the same experience as you. I was fused origionally at C6-7. Out of sugery I was not right. I also was not told that the ones above were damaged. That information was kept from me even though I complained. 5 years later in pain management had C3-7 done, the re-do of C6-7. It was hard to go through. So sorry you are enduring this too. As it is, My T 1-2-3- isn't so hot either. Was told this is indeed the domino effect. I too am in pain management, but did get off the heavy medications. Using a light pain killer for when it gets bad at night. I won't have anymore sugery if I can help it.

I was also told I had no choice with either surgery, as I was risking being paralized. Well I had to do it, as nerve inpingement was indeed occuring.

I wish there were better answers to all this. I do wonder how long my spine will last. I am post two years. Take care, and write to me anytime. ginnie

Hi Ginnie---Wow you been thru hell and back. My biggest problem is lack of information .I feel as if there just saying to me sorry your in pain but I did my job. I do understand the reason most of have this because we are spinal cord compressed and the risks involved . I have small herinations at almost every level of neck. I dont understand the area Im fused why wasnt the forminal canal opened larger for nerve. I been reading pathway of nerves at each level it makes sense on mine at c-5 (fused area) to still how a mild spinal cord compression ?? I thought the point of acdf was to remove the disc 100% off the spinal cord. Thats the part that I find confusing. Thanks so much Ginnie for taking the time to reply is means alot to me!! I been feeling very frustrated. I wish you the best as well and no more surgery and I hope your pain has improved?

If I understand you, at the place you were fused C5-6, with rods etc, this is now getting compressed to narrow your forminal canal, correct? Was there any mention of bone spurs?. Usually with that surgery, the forminal canal is opened so you don't get any more compression. Disk is romoved 100% and then replaced with doner bone, or a segment from your hip. All of mine were replaced with doner bone.
If you are not getting a good response to answer your issues with your current doctor, go get another opinion if you can. I did not stick with my origional surgeon as I wasn't happy with him leaving the rest for later and not telling me anything. sometimes these neuros don't want to admit when a proceedure didn't turn out exactly like they wanted. If you are in some pain, you need to get that doctor to talk to you. I would hate to think, that it is possible for compression to happen, to those verterbre, that are fused with rods and plates. That is scarry. No wonder you are worried. You don't want to have to do a re-do if you can help it. How are all the other verterbre above your fusion site? All mildly hernited? Does it say "severe" anywhere in the MRI records? This is an indicator. Using the word "mild" the surgeons usually don't do the surgery. If it is severe, and narrowing takes place, they recommend so you don't continue to get shocks up and down your arms.
All and all I do not regret having the second fusion, but I do wonder how long the ones below will last and I do have a concern about that. I hope both of us do OK. Please ask your doctor these very questions you have, he owes you a truthful answer. ginnie