EtherealGirl
12-09-2006, 03:54 PM
I'm going in for c6-7 fusion on the 13th. They're using the trabecular cage instead of a bone graft. Has anyone here had that method of surgery. I'm pretty nervous so any help would be appreciated!
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PearlDoves
12-09-2006, 05:12 PM
Hello, welcome to the board!
My Surgeon used a cage on me, I was quite facinated by it - I was all ready to offer my hip for a bone graft and deal with any extra pain, but once I heard about that, I went along for it. What happens is that they use bone chips accumulated durring surgery and put that in the middle opening of the cage.. along with some things that helps stimulate bone growth if I'm not mistaken.
I'm a little over a month out of surgery now. Around 2 1/2 - 3 weeks after surgery, because of some concerns and symptoms, we had a MRI, CT, and the routine check up xray done to make sure things were good... and everything is good, in fact he said that bone growth was already taking place! I've just been having some issues with swelling and such.. which is normal after this surgery.
Good Luck to you and God Bless! :angel:
My Surgeon used a cage on me, I was quite facinated by it - I was all ready to offer my hip for a bone graft and deal with any extra pain, but once I heard about that, I went along for it. What happens is that they use bone chips accumulated durring surgery and put that in the middle opening of the cage.. along with some things that helps stimulate bone growth if I'm not mistaken.
I'm a little over a month out of surgery now. Around 2 1/2 - 3 weeks after surgery, because of some concerns and symptoms, we had a MRI, CT, and the routine check up xray done to make sure things were good... and everything is good, in fact he said that bone growth was already taking place! I've just been having some issues with swelling and such.. which is normal after this surgery.
Good Luck to you and God Bless! :angel:
BobM
12-09-2006, 08:35 PM
Hello E-Girl
If you are nervous or have questions about your procedure, it is always OK to call the Dr's office and ask. My surgeon has an excellent office staff and they've always been able to answer my questions (just a suggestion).
Have you read up on the differences in using your own bone vs. donor bone vs. synthetic materials? If not let us know and people will give you info on all of this.
Assuming you have read up on this, the cage technique you mention seems like the 'best of both' worlds - you are using your own bone, and you avoid the surgery to harvest bone from your hip.
You could ask how many of these your Dr has performed, and what is the rate of 'successful fusions'. It seems awkward to ask this, but it's really an OK question, since there are different techniques for fusing, and it's OK to talk about the alternatives.
The majority of people who have ACDF surgeries seem to recover very well. You should make plans as you can to give yourself time for a good recovery.
Some people do seem to have more complex issues, but even most of those seem to report improvement from the surgery. I am in this group - ever so much better off now than before, but a little chronic pain and the prospect of more surgery down the road. But we don't seem to be the majority!
Best luck - read and ask questions, this is a great place to get info.
Bob
G
If you are nervous or have questions about your procedure, it is always OK to call the Dr's office and ask. My surgeon has an excellent office staff and they've always been able to answer my questions (just a suggestion).
Have you read up on the differences in using your own bone vs. donor bone vs. synthetic materials? If not let us know and people will give you info on all of this.
Assuming you have read up on this, the cage technique you mention seems like the 'best of both' worlds - you are using your own bone, and you avoid the surgery to harvest bone from your hip.
You could ask how many of these your Dr has performed, and what is the rate of 'successful fusions'. It seems awkward to ask this, but it's really an OK question, since there are different techniques for fusing, and it's OK to talk about the alternatives.
The majority of people who have ACDF surgeries seem to recover very well. You should make plans as you can to give yourself time for a good recovery.
Some people do seem to have more complex issues, but even most of those seem to report improvement from the surgery. I am in this group - ever so much better off now than before, but a little chronic pain and the prospect of more surgery down the road. But we don't seem to be the majority!
Best luck - read and ask questions, this is a great place to get info.
Bob
G
EtherealGirl
12-09-2006, 09:06 PM
Thanks so much for your quick responses! My surgeon has been great at giving me information, I just wanted to hear from some folks who've "been there".
My surgeon is considered the best around here so that does give me some comfort. I'm just ready to be through with all the pain. I've been putting up with it for a few years. I was actually diagnosed with the herniated disks 3 years ago, but with exercise and physical therapy I remained pain free until early October. I had another flare up and just couldn't make the pain go away. It got so bad I had to do something. I had another MRI and my surgeon (who is also known as being very conservative) took one look at it and said "you need surgery...period".
Thanks again for all your good advice. I'll keep you posted when I get out of the hospital on Thursday.
My surgeon is considered the best around here so that does give me some comfort. I'm just ready to be through with all the pain. I've been putting up with it for a few years. I was actually diagnosed with the herniated disks 3 years ago, but with exercise and physical therapy I remained pain free until early October. I had another flare up and just couldn't make the pain go away. It got so bad I had to do something. I had another MRI and my surgeon (who is also known as being very conservative) took one look at it and said "you need surgery...period".
Thanks again for all your good advice. I'll keep you posted when I get out of the hospital on Thursday.
badbackpeg
12-10-2006, 07:49 PM
Hi,
Your post caught my eye, as when I had my L4/5 fusion march 05, they used cages and bone chips left over from surgery, and also used some of my bone marrow, and I fused and healed very well, so when I have my cervical fusion on January 23, he is going to do the same thing, as I wouldn't want the pain of them taking it from my hip.
I am nervous about my upcoming surgery too, but I know it is for the best, and I don't want to wait til I have nerve damage, or other problems associated with spinal cord compression. I have a disc herniation at C6/7 pushing on my spinal cord, like you I will have ACDF.
Personally, I am all for the cage procedure.
Good luck to you,
Peg
Your post caught my eye, as when I had my L4/5 fusion march 05, they used cages and bone chips left over from surgery, and also used some of my bone marrow, and I fused and healed very well, so when I have my cervical fusion on January 23, he is going to do the same thing, as I wouldn't want the pain of them taking it from my hip.
I am nervous about my upcoming surgery too, but I know it is for the best, and I don't want to wait til I have nerve damage, or other problems associated with spinal cord compression. I have a disc herniation at C6/7 pushing on my spinal cord, like you I will have ACDF.
Personally, I am all for the cage procedure.
Good luck to you,
Peg
EtherealGirl
12-14-2006, 09:41 PM
I'm one day post-op and home and doing well. The pain is manageable with meds and I'm having to force myself to stay down because I'm feeling ok. Last night in the hospital was pretty awful though. It took dilaudid, morphine, robaxin, and some sleeping meds before I could get comfortable enough to sleep for a while. I'm pretty amazed at how much better I feel today! The most annoying part for me is the incision area. I feel like I have a lump in my throat, yano, like when you're trying not to cry.
I just read the "post op pain" thread and I"m having the same strange pains in my arms. It almost feels like a sunburn when I rub my arms and my muscles ache as if I've been lifting weights. Doc says this is totally normal and may take a while to go away. I'm also having muscle twitches in my triceps and my forearms. They aren't painful, just annoying. I can make them go away by changing positions and supporting my arms on a pillow.
I have a soft collar to wear at home, but I only have to wear it when I'm up and around. I have a hard collar that I'm instructed to wear any time there's the possibility of a fall or whiplash injury, such as walking around outside or riding in a car. We're currently experiencing a blizzard so I don't plan on going anywhere, anyway! I have a great bf who lives two doors down and, as we speak, is braving the storm to get me some ice cream and put gas in my car.
Thanks to all who write this board. It's been a real comfort to me! I'll keep you posted on my progress in the hopes that I can help others who are in the same boat.
God Bless!
Shelley
I just read the "post op pain" thread and I"m having the same strange pains in my arms. It almost feels like a sunburn when I rub my arms and my muscles ache as if I've been lifting weights. Doc says this is totally normal and may take a while to go away. I'm also having muscle twitches in my triceps and my forearms. They aren't painful, just annoying. I can make them go away by changing positions and supporting my arms on a pillow.
I have a soft collar to wear at home, but I only have to wear it when I'm up and around. I have a hard collar that I'm instructed to wear any time there's the possibility of a fall or whiplash injury, such as walking around outside or riding in a car. We're currently experiencing a blizzard so I don't plan on going anywhere, anyway! I have a great bf who lives two doors down and, as we speak, is braving the storm to get me some ice cream and put gas in my car.
Thanks to all who write this board. It's been a real comfort to me! I'll keep you posted on my progress in the hopes that I can help others who are in the same boat.
God Bless!
Shelley
PearlDoves
12-15-2006, 01:28 AM
WOW, you wrote already!
Glad to hear you are doing well!
I don't want to be a downer, but just don't be suprised if you feel like you backslide a bit as some time goes on, this can be normal, just be sure to communicate it all with your surgeon. For me, my backslide seemed to be swelling after going off my steriods, so he put me on another 6 days of it and now seem to be doing better than before, its just a slow healing process, so be patient and don't get discouraged, just take it easy and try walking a bit each day but don't over do it, and let people do things for you, DON'T feel bad that they are doing just about everything for you... You're a queen now ;)
Again, so glad to hear you are doing great, I felt great right after surgery too, I walk about 2 miles in the hospital, tee hee.. yeah, probably over did it a bit; but its a nice thing to not feel like my legs are going to give out on me now.
You may still feel weak with the more you try to do and the muscle spasums and twitching though annoying are normal, if they get really bad your doc may be able to prescribe something to calm them down a bit.
God Bless! :angel:
Glad to hear you are doing well!
I don't want to be a downer, but just don't be suprised if you feel like you backslide a bit as some time goes on, this can be normal, just be sure to communicate it all with your surgeon. For me, my backslide seemed to be swelling after going off my steriods, so he put me on another 6 days of it and now seem to be doing better than before, its just a slow healing process, so be patient and don't get discouraged, just take it easy and try walking a bit each day but don't over do it, and let people do things for you, DON'T feel bad that they are doing just about everything for you... You're a queen now ;)
Again, so glad to hear you are doing great, I felt great right after surgery too, I walk about 2 miles in the hospital, tee hee.. yeah, probably over did it a bit; but its a nice thing to not feel like my legs are going to give out on me now.
You may still feel weak with the more you try to do and the muscle spasums and twitching though annoying are normal, if they get really bad your doc may be able to prescribe something to calm them down a bit.
God Bless! :angel: