Surgery then more surgery before the end of the year....yikes.

[Radiogirl]

My cervical fusion is set for September 26th. It's turning out that I do need a total knee replacement on my worst knee now. And my worst shoulder needs something, too. I don't think how much repair my shoulder needs, thankfully it's not a total replacement. I know I'll have to jump through the regular hoops of trying everything (PT, etc.) before insurance will grant the pre-authorization. There's a financial benefit to getting as much done this calendar year as we have met our total family out of pocket maximum. My concern is rushing my healing time. Any wisdom out there about our ability to heal with RD and how not to add insult to injury with putting too much on the plate?

Wishing everyone a GREAT rest of the week.

[sylvi]

My only advice following surgery is do the exercises post surgery. Best of luck with your surgery.xxxxx

[ITYFIALMCTT]

You might need to consult your rheumatologist about how far in advance you might need to stop taking some medications before surgery? That said, depending on the medication, the advice around this can differ from one area to another.

[Radiogirl in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Thank you for the reminder. I just emailed my rheumy. I know I have to stop the Sulphsalazine prior to surgery, but don't know about the 2 new meds my rheumy started me on 3 or so weeks ago - Xeljanz ER and Predinsone 5mg. Again, thanks for the reminder.

Hope all is well, or as well as ccan be expected for you. Blessings and hugs.

[BoneyC]

I've had cervical fusion (laminoplasty & fixation C3-C6) in 2002. I cannot move my neck so there were no physio exercises, out of bed same day to go to bathroom, showered and washed hair next day, home after 4-5 days. Posterior scar, needed antibiotics as it was weeping a little on discharge. Healed up fine, no problems. Good luck with yours.

[Radiogirl in reply to BoneyC]

Thanks for your reply. Are you saying that now you can't move your neck?

[BoneyC in reply to Radiogirl]

Yes. In theory fusion from C3-C6 should enable my neck to turn but, as I'd had the disease 31 years at that time (2002), my odontoid peg/C1 had already fused by itself.

[Radiogirl in reply to BoneyC]

My lumbar has fused by itself in one area (not sure which disks). I hope you are a pain free as possible BoneyC. Hugs!

[ITYFIALMCTT]

Which levels are being fused?

[Radiogirl in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

C4-5 and C5-6

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to Radiogirl]

Radiogirl Now, I could be wrong, but I'd expect you to have some mobility in your neck as you're having 2 contiguous but separate fusions from the sound of it rather than BoneyC 's single fusion (if I've understood correctly).

I'm blithely saying this because I was born with multiple vertebral anomalies in the neck and a scoliosis there. Amongst other fusions, I have a fusion at C 2-3, a butterfly vertebrae at C4 which is where the scoliosis is very marked, and fusion at C 5-6. I can turn my head (more in one direction than the other) and altho' I can't move my ear down much towards my shoulder on either side, it's a good head tilt on one side with more of a good intention on the other.

It might be worth your while to ask your surgeon for clarification of this detail if there's something specific that you'll need to work around (like looking over your shoulder for driving). I was startled when a friend remarked that he'd had to relearn his technique after cervical fusion to cope with rifle recoil (he's a competition shooter).

[Radiogirl in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Excellent food for thought. I still am in a state of shock learning about my RA last March and finding so many areas that need repair. I knew I had wear and tear damage with my knees, but the pain has increased so rapidly. And now my shoulders?! I keep wanting to turn back the clock prior to my diagnosis as I was managing just fine, but now I've got a laundry list of problems. It seems like it just can't be. I guess denial is probably something many struggle with after learning about their new diagnosis.

Sounds like you've been through the ringer. How are you managing these days?

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to Radiogirl]

My fusions aren't surgical, I should stress, they're wholly 'natural' in that the spine didn't segment fully when I was a foetus, so the bones never separated, IYSWIM - it's that sort of fusion (the C1 is also fused into the skull).

I get what you're saying about being in denial. I've been managing my shoulders and knees in a non-surgical treatment plan for some years (tho' I did have surgery on one knee last year). I recently saw a rheumatologist who suggested that some of the problems I'm experiencing are possible sites where I have psoriatic arthritis presenting - whereas I just assumed that it's the state of play for the shoulders, lower back, feet (I fractured an ankle earlier this year), and the neck (as above, I was born with lots of anomalies there that act up from time to time and it's not unusual for me to develop lower-back issues when that happens).

The neck anomalies are part of an overall systemic syndrome that affects other organs/eyes/ears - so it's a little difficult to separate things out. I read accounts here of what people endure with RA/RD etc. and I'm so aware that I'm very fortunate overall.

[Radiogirl in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Yes, I told my GP today that I hurt in so many places I'm not sure what is what! 😱