First time posting on this forum. Suffering from pain from cervical spinal stenosis and neurosurgeon wants to do a fusion. Posterior c3 c4.

After reading posts it is hard to find anyone that is satisfied with the results.

Are there people out there that are glad the had the surgery.

I would like to hear some good news if anybody has some.

I'm really scared.

Thanks;
scrubbs

Hi Scrubbs,

I don't know how many doctors you saw. Don't relay in the opinion of one. My case is other than your, I have a herniated disc in L5-S1. Most of the doctors want to get the money for a surgery. I don't know if you have a herniated cervical disc. I know many people that just got treatment for those cases. I don't know how serious is your and how long. Did you ever see a good chiropractor? I had a good experience with one in the past with other problem. The best is to go with recommended chiropractors and/or neurosurgeons.
After trying treatments with not success I will have a surgery the 27th. But I really searched before deciding.

Hi Scrubbs,

Remember that this is a support forum. Folks with successful results/surgeries seldom need support—they're usually out getting on with their lives—so they don't tend to come to or post in places like this.

That said, there are some success stories here, but you may have to look in the archives to find them.

Doc

Thanks for the reply. I have had these problems for quite some time now and have had chiropractic treatment and epidurals that helped. I had a accident in February that made my condition worse by doing more damage than before. Mostly severe stenosis at C3-C4 and those treatments do not help anymore.

I also have a painless neurological disease that is stabilized but now besides the pain my motor function is getting worse and sometimes it's even difficult sometimes to get a credit card out of my wallet.

Anyhow, just venting;

scrubbs

Welcome to Neuro Talk. Be sure to get another opinion. None of us here are doctors, however many can help read an MRI. The language of it can tell you how serious the condition is. Surgery is only a last resort. Have all other options been tried?.
I have had two cervical fusions. Yes the second one did me much good. Many others here have good outcomes. It is important to know that there is no other way to deal with the condition, before you go through with surgery. I wish you all the best in what ever choice you make. NT will support you through the whole process if you do have to have the surgery. Many compassionate souls are about who have done this surgery. ginnie

You can go to the thread Sticky: useful sites by Bobbi. I just was searching myself. You will find many links including "red flags for surgeons". It will guide you to the right decision. Good luck!!

I will explore the sticky threads for alternates for surgery. Thank you for that.

My MRI reads:
Multilevel degenerative disc disease/spondylosis especially at C5-C6.
Disc bulges present most prominent at C6-C7.
Severe spinal stenosis C3-C4 without direct evidence of neural impingement.

scrubbs

MRI reads:
Multilevel degenerative disc disease/spondylosis especially at C5-C6.
Disc bulges present most prominent at C6-C7.
Severe spinal stenosis C3-C4 without direct evidence of neural impingement.

scrubbs[/QUOTE]

I will tell you a story. My girlfriend's husband was about to have a surgery for herniated discs in the back, not cervical, not your case ,when he got a recommendation for a chiropractor, he didn't want to go cause he wasn't helped before by other one. My friend convinced him, he got the treatment with this chiropractor, he cancelled the surgery, many years passed by and he didn't have problems. He went through a long treatment but worked. She recommended me this chiropractor last year after I have two injuries and he helped me very much. This year with my L5-S1 bulging disc, due to a fall, I couldn't see him because I moved. This guy is second generation chiropractor, have helped a lot of people but is in LA. It will be good if you find either a recommended chiropractor/orthopedic or neurosurgeon. People going through many surgeries usually is messed up. Get many opinions!!