hugg724
05-24-2008, 02:55 AM
Hi Everyone!
I had a cervical fusion involving C4/C5, C5/C6, and C6/C7 done in October of 2006. All went well for a few months after that. It has been nothing but pain since then. I have had MRI's done every 6 months since. My neurologist said I have alot of scar tissue causing the pain. The scar tissue started showing up on my MRI done 3 months post op.
I have had a headache for 3 months and at least once every 2 weeks it becomes a migraine. I also have SEVERE burning pain between my shoulder blades. Something in my neck is wreaking havoc on my shoulder and arm as well. When I lay down, I feel so "tight" in my neck, shoulders and even my legs (which is weird to me) that I can't even lay there so sleep has been minimal. I am on soma, neurontin, dilaudid, and kadian. NONE of this is touching the pain. Because of this, my neurologist scheduled me for an MRI.
Well, I had an MRI done. I got my copy of the radiologist report, as well as, a disc with my MRI to take to my neurologist next week for my follow up appt.
Here what it says:
C3-C4 mild annular disc uncovertebral joint arthropathy with mild right neural foraminal narrowing. Mild effacement anterior aspect thecal sac without canal compromise.
C5-C6 uncovertebral joint athropathy with mild relative narrowing of the left neural formamen.
C6-C7 uncovertebral joint arthropathy and left posterior lateral disc with moderate narrowing of the left neural foramen.
Edema and moderate postcontrast enhancement involving the seventh cervical vertebral body which is indeterminant probably chronic degenerative.
What does all this mean? :confused: I know different radiologists use different terminology but this is the same radiologist who has read my other MRI's. This wasn't on previous reports. Am I losing my mind or do I actually have something here to justify this HELL I have been going through pain wise? When I tried to do a search, all I could find was arthropathy = joint disease. I understand the narrowing of the neural foramen is related to nerves but what level of the narrowing is cause for pain (mild, moderate, severe etc).
Because the discs above and below my fusion are at "risk" doing all the work of the fused discs, my doc said he wouldn't do any more surgery unless it was serious enough. He is watching the C3/C4 disc more than anything else.
Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!! I want to be prepared with questions for my doc so I finally have SOME kind of answers from him besides "scar tissue".
I had a cervical fusion involving C4/C5, C5/C6, and C6/C7 done in October of 2006. All went well for a few months after that. It has been nothing but pain since then. I have had MRI's done every 6 months since. My neurologist said I have alot of scar tissue causing the pain. The scar tissue started showing up on my MRI done 3 months post op.
I have had a headache for 3 months and at least once every 2 weeks it becomes a migraine. I also have SEVERE burning pain between my shoulder blades. Something in my neck is wreaking havoc on my shoulder and arm as well. When I lay down, I feel so "tight" in my neck, shoulders and even my legs (which is weird to me) that I can't even lay there so sleep has been minimal. I am on soma, neurontin, dilaudid, and kadian. NONE of this is touching the pain. Because of this, my neurologist scheduled me for an MRI.
Well, I had an MRI done. I got my copy of the radiologist report, as well as, a disc with my MRI to take to my neurologist next week for my follow up appt.
Here what it says:
C3-C4 mild annular disc uncovertebral joint arthropathy with mild right neural foraminal narrowing. Mild effacement anterior aspect thecal sac without canal compromise.
C5-C6 uncovertebral joint athropathy with mild relative narrowing of the left neural formamen.
C6-C7 uncovertebral joint arthropathy and left posterior lateral disc with moderate narrowing of the left neural foramen.
Edema and moderate postcontrast enhancement involving the seventh cervical vertebral body which is indeterminant probably chronic degenerative.
What does all this mean? :confused: I know different radiologists use different terminology but this is the same radiologist who has read my other MRI's. This wasn't on previous reports. Am I losing my mind or do I actually have something here to justify this HELL I have been going through pain wise? When I tried to do a search, all I could find was arthropathy = joint disease. I understand the narrowing of the neural foramen is related to nerves but what level of the narrowing is cause for pain (mild, moderate, severe etc).
Because the discs above and below my fusion are at "risk" doing all the work of the fused discs, my doc said he wouldn't do any more surgery unless it was serious enough. He is watching the C3/C4 disc more than anything else.
Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!! I want to be prepared with questions for my doc so I finally have SOME kind of answers from him besides "scar tissue".
Sponsor
backpain
06-04-2008, 01:52 PM
Hugg, I'm certainly no expert (2 Level ACDF 08-Feb-2008 for me) but I'd strongly suggest a second opinion. I can relate to your pain and frustration and I'm only about 16 weeks post-op. (See my thread "ACDF 16 Wks Post-op & Still Miserable - Advice/Hope Wanted") You're going on 2 years of misery now since your surgery and I think that is way too long. I waited until I hit the 16 week mark before I began to seek counsel on this board. One of my main reasons for starting my thread was to get enough information to help me make an educated and thoughtful decision about keeping/changing my doctor. The jury is still out, but perhaps I will make a decision after my next visit on 09-Feb. Hang in there!