PainIntheneck3
08-23-2008, 06:55 PM
Greetings,
I had C-4 to 6 fused with bone graft in 1999 and C6 to 7 with graft and metal plate in 2006. Now, the pain is back and after an MRI, the neurosurgeon says that my disks are bulging below and above the fusions and I have taken one steroid shot and have another one next week.
I am worried about what my long term prognosis is.
What will happen if I have to have more fusions? Not being able to turn my neck someday worries me.
I have NO disability, not even Social Security disability.
I had C-4 to 6 fused with bone graft in 1999 and C6 to 7 with graft and metal plate in 2006. Now, the pain is back and after an MRI, the neurosurgeon says that my disks are bulging below and above the fusions and I have taken one steroid shot and have another one next week.
I am worried about what my long term prognosis is.
What will happen if I have to have more fusions? Not being able to turn my neck someday worries me.
I have NO disability, not even Social Security disability.
Sponsor
skych
08-24-2008, 10:46 AM
Hello there,
I saw your post had no replies yet so I thought i would pop in and say hello.
At this time I am not reall sure I can answer any of your questions because I am just now preparing for my first ACDF surgery of 2 levels C 4-6 same as you had done first I think.
I know and fully understand that those levels above and below can fail at anytime after surgery. When? Is the big mystery.
I am so sorry to hear that there are now new issues for you. It is true that sometimes they will heal on there on, but in my personal experience mine only became worse.
So sorry for the pain your experienceing. I hope that someone with more experienc in this area will post and share with you. SOmtimes this forum can be a little slow so just keep chcking and hang in there.
Chrissy
PS
I post alot on the Pain managment -Chronic Pain (sub board) If you need support I am always around..ok?
I saw your post had no replies yet so I thought i would pop in and say hello.
At this time I am not reall sure I can answer any of your questions because I am just now preparing for my first ACDF surgery of 2 levels C 4-6 same as you had done first I think.
I know and fully understand that those levels above and below can fail at anytime after surgery. When? Is the big mystery.
I am so sorry to hear that there are now new issues for you. It is true that sometimes they will heal on there on, but in my personal experience mine only became worse.
So sorry for the pain your experienceing. I hope that someone with more experienc in this area will post and share with you. SOmtimes this forum can be a little slow so just keep chcking and hang in there.
Chrissy
PS
I post alot on the Pain managment -Chronic Pain (sub board) If you need support I am always around..ok?
BobM
08-24-2008, 04:09 PM
Hi - sorry to hear about your problems. I have a situation similar to yours, so let me share what I know.
I was fused C5/6, and C6/7 in 2004, and C4/5 in 2005. I recovered really well from the first, and ok after the second - I have some chronic pain now that I must deal with. From things I have read, the more levels fused, and the more surgeries, the greater the chance of not getting all of the pain corrected. My chronic pain is much less than what I was experiencing before the operations, so that is a good thing.
As for the loss of range of motion (ROM) - the more levels fused, the greater the loss, but not all levels are equal. We get about 50% of our ROM from the C1/2 and C2/3 levels, and the other 50% from C3/4/5/6/7 - so about 10% for each of these levels. Since we are fused C4/5/6/7 we have 'lost' about 40% of our total ROM.
However, we learn to compensate for this 'loss' by other ways to move - I find I have to 'bend' more from the waist now to look right and left, or up and down - so the 40% loss I have so far is offset by moving differently. Also, I have learned to avoid situations that require neck motion - I'm very careful to park in places where I can pull through instead of having to look over my shoulder to back up, etc.
Staying reasonably active also can help - I learned some PT exercises that I do, and I have a theraputive massage every several weeks to help keep things moving as well as they can. I also have some Rx pain meds that I use when I must - like long plane flights.
I also have bulging discs now at C3/4, and C7/T1, so it is likely I will have more problems at some point - not a pleasant prospect. Fusions at C1/2 and C2/3, and C7/T1 seem to be a lot less common than the other levels, but certainly not unheard of.
The key to dealing with this problem we have is to not let it get us down - try to stay positive and focus on all the things we still can do, and don't fret the things we have lost. Some days this is much easier 'said than done'.
Hope this is helpful - best wishes!
Bob
I was fused C5/6, and C6/7 in 2004, and C4/5 in 2005. I recovered really well from the first, and ok after the second - I have some chronic pain now that I must deal with. From things I have read, the more levels fused, and the more surgeries, the greater the chance of not getting all of the pain corrected. My chronic pain is much less than what I was experiencing before the operations, so that is a good thing.
As for the loss of range of motion (ROM) - the more levels fused, the greater the loss, but not all levels are equal. We get about 50% of our ROM from the C1/2 and C2/3 levels, and the other 50% from C3/4/5/6/7 - so about 10% for each of these levels. Since we are fused C4/5/6/7 we have 'lost' about 40% of our total ROM.
However, we learn to compensate for this 'loss' by other ways to move - I find I have to 'bend' more from the waist now to look right and left, or up and down - so the 40% loss I have so far is offset by moving differently. Also, I have learned to avoid situations that require neck motion - I'm very careful to park in places where I can pull through instead of having to look over my shoulder to back up, etc.
Staying reasonably active also can help - I learned some PT exercises that I do, and I have a theraputive massage every several weeks to help keep things moving as well as they can. I also have some Rx pain meds that I use when I must - like long plane flights.
I also have bulging discs now at C3/4, and C7/T1, so it is likely I will have more problems at some point - not a pleasant prospect. Fusions at C1/2 and C2/3, and C7/T1 seem to be a lot less common than the other levels, but certainly not unheard of.
The key to dealing with this problem we have is to not let it get us down - try to stay positive and focus on all the things we still can do, and don't fret the things we have lost. Some days this is much easier 'said than done'.
Hope this is helpful - best wishes!
Bob
PainIntheneck3
08-25-2008, 08:50 AM
Thank you so much for your swift reply! I get a cortosone shot today. My 2nd one in 2 weeks.
PainIntheneck3
08-25-2008, 08:55 AM
Thank you for your reply. I knew there were those out there that had the same probs as i have.
I know my condition is NOT life threatening but I wonder what kind of normal life I can lead after all the surgeries. Another thing that scares me is that I SING for a living. I missed the bullet the first two surgeries and got my singing voice back quickly.
Update later on in the day....
Had my 2nd epidural steroid injection about an hour ago. Wearing the soft collar again. Have another one in 2 weeks. This time, I am hoping it does the trick :)
I know my condition is NOT life threatening but I wonder what kind of normal life I can lead after all the surgeries. Another thing that scares me is that I SING for a living. I missed the bullet the first two surgeries and got my singing voice back quickly.
Update later on in the day....
Had my 2nd epidural steroid injection about an hour ago. Wearing the soft collar again. Have another one in 2 weeks. This time, I am hoping it does the trick :)