The neurosurgeon showed me what's going on with my c-spine with pictures from the MRI and flexion-extension X-rays. Surgery would likely fix all the issues, the main one being spinal cord and nerve compression causing me pain in my left arm and shoulder. For now, it waxes and wanes, so I can live with it, but it will probably only get worse. I could try to live with it, try some PT, or just have the surgery and get it taken care of. It would mean fusing 3 vertebrae and probably spending one night in the hospital. My cost, if done right now, would be probably pretty low, and it could be done before next year.
I only remember surgeries done many years ago. Does anyone have more recent experience?
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greaterexp
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I am better then I was but NOT where I would like to be
I wish I would have not been so stubborn, when I started having health issues....ie: weakness and numbness in my feet. Maybe it wouldn’t have got so bad...but I just kept working with it for a year and half.
As I have stated before....The Neurosurgeon wouldn’t give me any ‘guarantees’. He told me surgery, would hopefully keep me from being ‘bed-bound’.
My MRI looked terrible! I could see it ! He didn’t give me an option to wait, nor did I want to wait.
C4,5 & 6 Fused—-I think 🤔 I am actually an inch shorter
That had to clean up my neck and remove a vertebrae-
Spinal Cord damage....
Dr. says recovery can take up to 18 months or NOT with me because of the damage to my spinal cord.
Surgery was about 4 hours and “typically” home after a day in the hospital....but because I live alone, with no help, I was kept for two weeks....I ate bacon 🥓 everyday and did physical therapy too . I had to wear the neck brace for three months and was limited on lifting .
The actual incision (front) healed quickly and minimal scar—-blends in nicely, with my old lady wrinkles! 😃
It is not that bad dear.... I would recommend.
Before any more possible damage to your compression of the spinal cord.
Prayers 🙏 to you and feel free to ask me anything.
My prayers are with you. Always a hard decision to make when having surgery or trying to tolerate the symptoms. Praying you receive a clear answer. I’m scared of a colonoscopy right now and going back and forth.
Colonoscopies are such a breeze now, compared to years ago. No, the prep isn’t fun, but mine wasn’t bad. I went to sleep, woke up, and it was done. Pain free. Colon cancer is pretty tough, so it’s well worth getting the colonoscopy.
I have heard good and bad things with any back surgery. You just need to make sure you have a great dr that has done this before and then make the decision this is what you want/need at this time. My thoughts are with you as you go through this. Keep us updated.
I had an ACDF of C5&6. Went in one afternoon, next morning, hour and half surgery, went home next morning. They went in through my throat, nice neat line in a neck wrinkle. Throat was a bit horse for a few weeks after, but the pain in my right arm and my jaw disappeared in a couple of weeks. No issues about any of it. The major plus was I am not paralysed like they said would happen if I didn’t get it done. 🙏 as always , blessings Jimeka
That is very encouraging to hear. Hoping greaterexp has relief from all her symptoms if she chooses to do the surgery. I have had problems with c5 and c6 for years and now to the spinal cord. They have mentioned surgery. But I'm not ready to do it. You always hear the unsuccessful stories like my neighbor. She had surgery and stayed in the hospital for weeks. She couldn't eat afterwards and they wanted to put in a feeding tube. So that really scared me. It is good to hear from others where it turned out well.
They say after the first fusion surgery, you need another one, and another one, and so on and so forth. I personally used to work with someone who needed 2 more fusion surgeries after the first one. He eventually ended up in a wheelchair.
My brother had 3,4,and five fused and was back playing racketball 6 months later. Went really well, but he was in pretty good shape prior to surgery. Was walking five miles every day after 6 weeks. Everyone is different, but went well for him. Good luck on your decision 🤞👍🙏🤗 Ken 🐾🐾
I had the same surgery, C4-7, three years ago. As surgery goes, it was a very good experience. I went back to work 2 weeks later. I felt so much better afterwards! Until I fell and broke my neck about 2 years ago and messed everything up. Find a good neurosurgeon and get it evaluated. Praying you get the answers you need.
Thank you for letting me know your results. I'm so sorry you had a bad fall. My sister-in-law recently had a bad fall with lots of damage, but she's doing much better. I hope you are now.
Just wishing you the best. Easy or not, if I was in your situation, I'd not give up. Yes big decision, but I only know of good, not all perfect, but good results.
Thank you so much. I think if insurance approves it, I will go ahead. There are many things to consider, but the timing seems best. I realize that there is a small risk of setting off a relapse, and there is a chance that the problems won't be fixed as well as we hope. There is risk with any surgery, but we have to weigh the risks against the benefits with each one.
Well my friend you are covered/bathed in prayer. I too have cervical, thoracic & lumbar issues. Surgery on the later two. We love you and lift you to the Master physician. God bless you.
Thank you. I feel sure I will do well. I will have to convince my sweet husband that there's nothing to stress about. I'll see if I can enlist some help from neighbors to check in on me to take the weight off of him, and I'll have meals ready so he doesn't have to worry about that. I'm more concerned for him than for me!
The only spinal fusing I've had personal experience with was my son who had an S for a backbone. He had his entire spine fused (and it made him "grow" 4 inches!) I always figure if I ever need that done, he did fine with the entire thing so I would be okay.
It may and it may take constant attention/ traction on a regular basis. But if you were against surgery-
I found an inflatable neck brace that i do neck traction with. It feels so awesome. I use it to relieve carpal tunnel symptoms (that originate in my cervical spineI’m pretty sure). And to relieve neck pains. But maybe I’m not as involved as u
My husband had C3-C4-C5 fused 20 years ago and hasn't had much trouble since. He sets off the metal detectors at the airports cuz he has titanium plates instead of wire holding it all together. But he could use his arms afterward. He was a hairdresser and instructor and shaky hands didn't work too well for that. They have come a lot farther since then with technology.
I know what you mean from what I saw as a nurse 30 years ago. Spinal surgeries were frequently having to be redone and didn't seem to help much. I have seen tremendous improvement in outcomes since the neurosurgeon specialty took it over from orthopedic surgeons.
I think I would get it done now. PT and that would likely provide only partial relief and take as much time to help as the recovery from surgery would or perhaps longer.
best wishes. My mom had 4 neck vertebrae fused because of RA damage and pain. Surgery was not a big deal and it brought her a lot of relief but, of course, she lost a bit in flexibility. Good luck.
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