Hi everyone! I visited a spine neurosurgeon today and he said I definately need fusion non my C5-C6 area. He also wants to do an emg on my hands and arms. He thinks I could possibly have carpal tunnel on the right hand especially. I am bvery scared, but I know it needs to be done before any permament damage occurs. I am scared that my body burning will get worse with the surgery. Of course I hope it takes it away! Thanks for listening everyone! Any more suggestions are welcome!

Hope you go for second opinion on C5-6. One question to ask is how the verterbre are above this site and below it. This is very important, any hardware you have put in, will put strain on those above and below. Your other verterbre need to be in good shape. Also Not every doctor insists on EMG. I got away with not having one. The second opinion said it was not necessary for dianostics in every case. Try to seperate carpel tunnel, address neck first if at all possible. I was fused C6-7. that failed, wound up with C3-7 and that did ok. Still not in good shape however, above and below.
I do wish you all the best as you go forward. I know you are afraid. It is scarry, but you can get through this. Neuro Talk will be here for you every step of the way. ginnie

I agree with getting (at least) a second opinion on any cutting - maybe more. Surgeons live to cut, and cut to live -- we don't.

I wouldn't be so scared/concerned about the EMG. There are two types -- surface and intramuscular; the latter involves tiny needles. It might be uncomfortable, but not as much, as long, or as invasive as any surgery. It might help to read up on these procedures so you can discuss them (and your concerns/fears) with your doctor/s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromyography

Your concrns about the surgery are, IMO, valid, hence the multiple opinions; there may be less invasive alternatives, and/or better surgeons for you.

If it were me, I would definitely put the brakes on, research this all very thoroughly, and try every other alternative there is before even considering surgery. Actually, I HAVE been through something similar, followed my own advice, found surgeons who did not agree with the cutters, and I have never regretted opting out for other avenues.

If you do agree that surgery is the best choice/option for you, please consider/remember that, while it may correct the mechanical issues of bone vs. nerve, it may not alleviate the pain or other symptoms, and that you may still have to deal with those thereafter.

I know it may sound like some of us are trying to sway you one way or the other, but that's not it. No-one can decide this for you, and many of us, having been down this road, just want you to be aware of everything the doctors may not be being candid about. We want you to be fully informed and aware of options & possibilities in order to make the best decision for you, and avoid mistakes of the past.

Whatever your decision, we'll support it and you, and hope for a full and speedy recovery.

Doc

You always come up with such good ways to talk to someone. ginnie

Thanks guys for the advice! I have seen an orthopedic surgeon a couple weeks ago and he said surgery also. So, I have had 2 opinions. I will for sure have the neck taken care of first.
I have tried physical therapy and it just makes my symptoms worse. Also, the surgeon said I don't have any damage yet to my cord. He said i should get this take care of before having any damage in the future. He said the herniation has been there a while and isn't going anywhere. I would love to not have surgery, but I don't want to hurt myself any further. I don't want myleopathy
i am also aware of not getting rid of the nerve issues after surgery. I am scared they may get worse. I also asked him about fusing the level above and below and he said no. Only if they are causing pain. Above and below are a bit herniated. It all sticks all the way around. I don't know what else to do.
Danielle

Investigate all of the alternatives. Many surgeons specialize in just one, or a very few, procedures. That makes sense if that's the procedure that's really best for you. In fact, it's the kind of surgeon you want because they have a lot of experience doing that procedure. The question then becomes, is that the right procedure for you, or is s/he seeing your problem as a nail because all s/he has is a hammer?

Early in my journey when I was told how bad my cervical discs were, I asked if they couldn't just replace the bad one(s). The surgeon told me it wasn't possible -- that cervical discs couldn't be replaced. Come to find out later that it indeed is possible, but that surgeon didn't do that procedure -- he was experienced in another.

It could be that the procedure your surgeon wants to do is best; OTOH, I'd want to know for sure. This is where becoming your own advocate, doing your own research, and getting multiple opinions come in. There are different kinds/types of fusion procedures. Some involve a cage, and some involve an artificial disc. Some are anterior (going through the front) and some are posterior (through the back) and I recently heard of one that went through both. Some are quite invasive and some are minimally invasive microsurgeries involving very tiny incisions and done via camera. Again, if it were me, I would want to know exactly what is going on in my neck, about every potential procedure to correct it, and be involved in deciding which one to go with. THEN I'd pick a surgeon.

Leesa, Ginnie, or others may have more info/input on this.

Doc

Hi. I didn't read all the replies so I may have missed this. But from what I saw a lot commented on having an MRI. But what about an EMG? I think if there is compression and depending on the degree of compression and symptoms wouldn't an EMG be a good idea to see if there is any nerve damage involved? Just a thought.

I see both a neurosurgeon/orthopedic surgeon and a neurologist and when I see the neurologist I question what tests should be done or not done based on the results of the MRI.

I had an EMG done because of symptoms and found that I had severe nerve damage in the cervical & lumbar area; severe arthritis in cervical and lumbar area and peripheral neuropathy. So the EMG was able to tell me a great deal on the extent of the damage.

Sometimes the damage can be told completely by the MRI. I was lucky in my case, that my second neruo surgeon did not want or do the EMG. He didn't think is was necessary after he looked at the MRI. Personally, I go for as little invasive testing as I can. I turned down multipal tests, lost a doctor over it, and still wound up with a fantastic surgeon who repaired my cervical spine. I just think in general too many tests are given. That second or third opinion, is the best route to go before you submit to the invasive tests. I hope all folks that have spinal issues will research every avenue there is before any kind of surgery. or submit to any kind of painful tests. I will keep all of us in my prayers. ginnie

Yup...I would agree with Doc. If you think EMG's are invasive, will then just try an ACDF on for size!

Electrodiagnostics (EMG/NCV/SEP's) are really an important part of the diagnostic process and if it were me (and it has been on several occasions for different reasons), I would insist upon it especially if surgery was on the table of opportunities.

While it is not exactly fun to be stuck like a voodoo doll or chased around the room with an electric cattle prod, doing surgery without these studies done pre-surgically is certain insanity and asking for further abuse!

Hello, and just a thought. I would be very careful in your decision to proceed with the surgery. I had the first surgery, and didn't know that verterbre above and below the surgical site were damaged. I was not told, nor did I look at my medical records. You are getting a heads up notice, that the verterbre above and below arn't in such good shape. This is a concern, as they need to be strong enough to handle the brackets, plates, screws, cage or what have you. My fusion did NOT hold up and I experienced the domino effect. Was then fused, C3-7. I now have trouble at C1-2 and T 1-2-3. I will not have another surgery. Just get all the opinions you can regarding this issue. I know that sometimes you have to do the surgery. Ask your doctors more in depth about this subject, and continue to do some research if you can. I do wish you all the best in what every you decide to do. ginnie