firefighter_101
07-30-2003, 09:19 PM
Hello all,
I have a question. I just returned from the neurosurgeon this afternoon. He thinks that the reason I don't have alot of movement in my neck is because of arthritis? Now it was fine 13 weeks ago before the surgery. Is that possible to have it that quick? I wanted to ask the wise ones on the board, because I respect everyones input here.
Thanks,
Harvey
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Three Level C 4-5,5-6,6-7...Fusion, Grafts and plating.Bone Growth Stimulator worn all the time.
I have a question. I just returned from the neurosurgeon this afternoon. He thinks that the reason I don't have alot of movement in my neck is because of arthritis? Now it was fine 13 weeks ago before the surgery. Is that possible to have it that quick? I wanted to ask the wise ones on the board, because I respect everyones input here.
Thanks,
Harvey
------------------
Three Level C 4-5,5-6,6-7...Fusion, Grafts and plating.Bone Growth Stimulator worn all the time.
Sponsor
KeithEugeneW
07-30-2003, 09:39 PM
Harvey,
Sounds kind of odd to come on that quickly, arthritis is usually a slow and progressive thing that accumulates over several years, at least that's my case. I have considerable arthritis in my neck and back, and first thing in the morning I feel like somebody poured concrete around my spine. A hot shower gets me loosened up and as I move around during the morning I get better. Sitting in one place for very long or standing for long periods gets that concrete setting up again. Pretty much everybody gets at least a little arthritis as we grow older because our joints degenerate as the cartilidge wears out from use and age. Some get it faster or worse than others for various or no good reasons. I'm no arthritis expert, but osteoarthritis is the kind of arthritis I'm describing here. Rheumatoid arthritis is the real crippling kind that deforms joints and bones, and I believe is thought to be an immune system deficiency. My mom has had it since she was in her late 20's and has suffered terribly through countless operations and procedures. The doctors told her that arthritis is not hereditary, but tends to run in families. What the ??
It could be in your case that you had some arthritis prior to your operation that nobody mentioned because they just assumed you had already known about it. Hey, you are an old guy you know (you being 46 and me being only 45 for 7 more days at least). I would highly doubt that it was something that came on suddenly, that would be about as likely as me winning a gold medal in the olympics. :D
Keith
Sounds kind of odd to come on that quickly, arthritis is usually a slow and progressive thing that accumulates over several years, at least that's my case. I have considerable arthritis in my neck and back, and first thing in the morning I feel like somebody poured concrete around my spine. A hot shower gets me loosened up and as I move around during the morning I get better. Sitting in one place for very long or standing for long periods gets that concrete setting up again. Pretty much everybody gets at least a little arthritis as we grow older because our joints degenerate as the cartilidge wears out from use and age. Some get it faster or worse than others for various or no good reasons. I'm no arthritis expert, but osteoarthritis is the kind of arthritis I'm describing here. Rheumatoid arthritis is the real crippling kind that deforms joints and bones, and I believe is thought to be an immune system deficiency. My mom has had it since she was in her late 20's and has suffered terribly through countless operations and procedures. The doctors told her that arthritis is not hereditary, but tends to run in families. What the ??
It could be in your case that you had some arthritis prior to your operation that nobody mentioned because they just assumed you had already known about it. Hey, you are an old guy you know (you being 46 and me being only 45 for 7 more days at least). I would highly doubt that it was something that came on suddenly, that would be about as likely as me winning a gold medal in the olympics. :D
Keith
BWL
07-30-2003, 09:44 PM
Hi Harvey - Nice to Meet You...
I'm with wise Keith here, it seems that some of your prior films would have shown the arthritis. It also seems like you only have a few places left in your neck where you could have it. Is the pain that high?
Bruce
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ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
I'm with wise Keith here, it seems that some of your prior films would have shown the arthritis. It also seems like you only have a few places left in your neck where you could have it. Is the pain that high?
Bruce
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ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
firefighter_101
07-30-2003, 10:29 PM
Thanks Keith and BWL,
It didn't sound right to me so that's what I ask. My neck has been stiff when I get up every morning but that only after the surgery, not before. I'm thinking I'm on the road to a full recovery! :D
Thanks,
Harvey
It didn't sound right to me so that's what I ask. My neck has been stiff when I get up every morning but that only after the surgery, not before. I'm thinking I'm on the road to a full recovery! :D
Thanks,
Harvey
winged phantom
07-30-2003, 11:42 PM
Harvey,
You should re-read your MRI report to see if it mentions "spondylosis;" or ask your NS now... that is another term for arthritis of the neck. I have it... and I think I have had it for a number of years now. I'm not sure exactly what it entails, and my connection speed is so slow right now it would take me all night to research.
I hope this helps to unravel things or to get you pointed in the right direction. Whatever.... it's all a bummer! But I know I'm much luckier than many people here, so I really can't complain too loudly. Just have to grin and bear it? :D
wr :wave:
You should re-read your MRI report to see if it mentions "spondylosis;" or ask your NS now... that is another term for arthritis of the neck. I have it... and I think I have had it for a number of years now. I'm not sure exactly what it entails, and my connection speed is so slow right now it would take me all night to research.
I hope this helps to unravel things or to get you pointed in the right direction. Whatever.... it's all a bummer! But I know I'm much luckier than many people here, so I really can't complain too loudly. Just have to grin and bear it? :D
wr :wave:
AngelicMoon
07-31-2003, 12:34 AM
My favorite firefighter~
My myleogram showed the arthritis in my spine. I agree with everyone else, it comes over time.
~sending TLC~
:angel:
My myleogram showed the arthritis in my spine. I agree with everyone else, it comes over time.
~sending TLC~
:angel:
firefighter_101
07-31-2003, 07:14 PM
Bruce,
I'm sorry.... I didn't answer all your post. First, it's very nice to meet you as well! And no, my pain isn't bad at all. Just stiff in the A.M. and mild pain( around a 2 ) the rest of the time.
I do agree with you and Keith, I don't think that's it, but hey, I'm not the doctor.... all I can say is I sure hope it isn't arthritis!
Have a great day,
Harvey
I'm sorry.... I didn't answer all your post. First, it's very nice to meet you as well! And no, my pain isn't bad at all. Just stiff in the A.M. and mild pain( around a 2 ) the rest of the time.
I do agree with you and Keith, I don't think that's it, but hey, I'm not the doctor.... all I can say is I sure hope it isn't arthritis!
Have a great day,
Harvey
DebbieMc
07-31-2003, 08:51 PM
Firefighter...if the neurosurgeon thinks you have arthritis in your neck, ask him why the heck he didn't remove it when he did the surgery?!!! Sheez. Spondylosis is what they call it. That's what I had. It was compressing my spinal cord 7mm and was the whole reason I had surgery.
I asked my NS how to stop the arthritis to which he replied "if I knew that, I'd be a rich man." Now I think he's a rich man already judging from the bill he sent for my surgery, but that's a whole nother story. I asked him about glucosamine <sp?> and he said he put his own mother on it for arthritis, so I'm going to get some for me too. You might want to try it.
Arthritis is caused when the ligaments holding your bones together stretch. Your bones don't like not being close together so they form boney bridges to make them feel close which is the actual arthritis. Half of my surgery involved removing those boney bridges (spurs) The other half was spent prying bone off my nerves since my nerves were embedded in the bone...but I digress. Arthritis in your spine can be a big problem. Don't take it lightly.
DebbieMc
I asked my NS how to stop the arthritis to which he replied "if I knew that, I'd be a rich man." Now I think he's a rich man already judging from the bill he sent for my surgery, but that's a whole nother story. I asked him about glucosamine <sp?> and he said he put his own mother on it for arthritis, so I'm going to get some for me too. You might want to try it.
Arthritis is caused when the ligaments holding your bones together stretch. Your bones don't like not being close together so they form boney bridges to make them feel close which is the actual arthritis. Half of my surgery involved removing those boney bridges (spurs) The other half was spent prying bone off my nerves since my nerves were embedded in the bone...but I digress. Arthritis in your spine can be a big problem. Don't take it lightly.
DebbieMc
KeithEugeneW
07-31-2003, 10:13 PM
Debbie,
There you go again with that talk about "prying bone off my nerves since my nerves were embedded in the bone". Geez that makes the hair on my neck stand up every time you say that...like fingernails on a chalkboard... :D
Keith
There you go again with that talk about "prying bone off my nerves since my nerves were embedded in the bone". Geez that makes the hair on my neck stand up every time you say that...like fingernails on a chalkboard... :D
Keith