Almostpretty
04-05-2005, 03:31 PM
Hi,
I broke my neck in an automobile accident in 1998. They fused C-6 and C-7 and I have a plate and some screws. I was only 18 years old at the time and I was out of state when it happened.
I was so medicated at the time that I don't remember much of what happened or even what treatment was done.
I haven't seen a doctor since then, and my question is, after surgery like that is it necessary to get X-rays every few years to make sure everything is where it should be?
I read another post about screws breaking and if that is a possiblity then should I make an appointment?
I broke my neck in an automobile accident in 1998. They fused C-6 and C-7 and I have a plate and some screws. I was only 18 years old at the time and I was out of state when it happened.
I was so medicated at the time that I don't remember much of what happened or even what treatment was done.
I haven't seen a doctor since then, and my question is, after surgery like that is it necessary to get X-rays every few years to make sure everything is where it should be?
I read another post about screws breaking and if that is a possiblity then should I make an appointment?
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chitowngl
04-05-2005, 04:38 PM
I had a cervical fusion done in Jan. My doctor told me I had to have xrays taken at one month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. If you have not had any since the surgery, it might behoove you to have this done.
LACat
04-05-2005, 04:44 PM
I had a laminecotomy with a lot of screws and titanium rods in my cervical spine and have had at a least a dozen doctor visits with x-rays at the 3 month point and scheduled for the 6 month point. When I was your age I thought I was bullet-proof and generally never went to the Dr. even when I clearly needed to. But - you have had a major surgery for a serious injury that requires follow-ups including x-rays to make sure everything healed up properly. Find yourself a good primary care physician in your area, give him the contact information to get a copy of the medical records from (all of) the hospitals and Drs. that treated you at the time of your accident. Ask him to review the files before he examines you, and anticipate that he/she will want some fresh x-rays.
This sounds like something you want good follow-up care on. Don't wait until you are 40 to have it checked out.
This sounds like something you want good follow-up care on. Don't wait until you are 40 to have it checked out.
Almostpretty
04-06-2005, 11:48 AM
Thanks for your replies.
I wrote a letter to the Hospital requesting my medical records from the accident. Hopefully I'll have them in the next couple of weeks and then I'll make an appointment with a neurologist.
I wrote a letter to the Hospital requesting my medical records from the accident. Hopefully I'll have them in the next couple of weeks and then I'll make an appointment with a neurologist.