alex65
07-30-2003, 11:01 PM
Hello, I am new to this board, first posting !! I need your thoughts about the different types of cervical surgeries with fusion. I have c6-7 disk protusion, pain in neck, left shoulder amd arm, pain also in lower back with numbness in legs. About a year and a half ago, I had a c6-7 posterior laminotomy and microdiskectomy surgery , but the pain and numbness is getting worse.
I saw two new doctors and both are recommending a two level fusion (c5-6 & c6-7) anterior surgery, what is confusing me is that one doctor wants to use screws and plate with the fusion while the other thinks that will not be necessary. bones grafts from a bone bank will be used for fusion.
Did anyone had the fusion surgery without the screws and plate ? outcomes ? any thoughts ?
Thank you
Alex
I saw two new doctors and both are recommending a two level fusion (c5-6 & c6-7) anterior surgery, what is confusing me is that one doctor wants to use screws and plate with the fusion while the other thinks that will not be necessary. bones grafts from a bone bank will be used for fusion.
Did anyone had the fusion surgery without the screws and plate ? outcomes ? any thoughts ?
Thank you
Alex
Sponsor
AngelicMoon
07-31-2003, 12:27 AM
Hi Alex~
I had a ACDF without plating and I am having alot of trouble. I am in my 4th week post op. I have been trying to reach my NS for 3 days with no return call back yet. I am going to see my PCP tomorrow, she is very concerned. At this point in time, I am sorry I had this surgery done. I will keep you posted on this. Not all stories have a bad outcome like mine. You will get all sorts of opinions here. Keep checking in.
:angel:
I had a ACDF without plating and I am having alot of trouble. I am in my 4th week post op. I have been trying to reach my NS for 3 days with no return call back yet. I am going to see my PCP tomorrow, she is very concerned. At this point in time, I am sorry I had this surgery done. I will keep you posted on this. Not all stories have a bad outcome like mine. You will get all sorts of opinions here. Keep checking in.
:angel:
AngelicMoon
07-31-2003, 12:37 AM
P.S. I have a donor bone
alex65
07-31-2003, 01:31 AM
Hello AngelicMoon
Sorry you are having trouble after surgery, you are still recovering. wish you luck with your NS. Please keep us posted.
Alex
Sorry you are having trouble after surgery, you are still recovering. wish you luck with your NS. Please keep us posted.
Alex
magtize
07-31-2003, 02:18 AM
Hi Alex65
Getting sleepy so wanted to at least welcome you
to a great place with support and information
------------------
car accident 72 S2 fused 76 Surgery 96 c5-6 fused
aug pains in neck started with pain meds. had X-rays MRI Mylagram
c2-3 c3-4 broadbase buldge c6-7 buldge.pinched nerve,arthritis,spinal stenosis.Meds.Celebrex200mg 1 a day Lexapro 10mg 1 day apap/codeine 300mg as needed oxycod/apap 500 mg as needed neurontin 300mg 2 xs a day Massages,PT,PM SO FAR NO RELIEFLost job as have been off work since Sept 02 3 good days since then
Getting sleepy so wanted to at least welcome you
to a great place with support and information
------------------
car accident 72 S2 fused 76 Surgery 96 c5-6 fused
aug pains in neck started with pain meds. had X-rays MRI Mylagram
c2-3 c3-4 broadbase buldge c6-7 buldge.pinched nerve,arthritis,spinal stenosis.Meds.Celebrex200mg 1 a day Lexapro 10mg 1 day apap/codeine 300mg as needed oxycod/apap 500 mg as needed neurontin 300mg 2 xs a day Massages,PT,PM SO FAR NO RELIEFLost job as have been off work since Sept 02 3 good days since then
Back to the Future
07-31-2003, 06:46 AM
Hi Alex - I'm new here too!!
I had ACDF levels 3-4 and 5-6 in June with my own bone. I'm not doing too badly nearly 6 weeks post op. Still getting some pain in my arms and neck and having great difficulty sleeping. Someone on here has recommended MSM so i've ordered some and hoping this will relax my muscles and let me get some sleep. Still taking pain meds every day but not as many as prior to my op. My surgeon has told my I still can't drive yet so i'm still not able to work, and I wasn't allowed to go on holiday. :( - But once I've healed fully I know that I'll be safe to go in a car which I wasn't prior to the op. (Surgeon said if we were involved in a crash from behind it would probably finish the disc off and I'd be paralysed!!!) Good enough reason for having my op!!!
Ann xx
I had ACDF levels 3-4 and 5-6 in June with my own bone. I'm not doing too badly nearly 6 weeks post op. Still getting some pain in my arms and neck and having great difficulty sleeping. Someone on here has recommended MSM so i've ordered some and hoping this will relax my muscles and let me get some sleep. Still taking pain meds every day but not as many as prior to my op. My surgeon has told my I still can't drive yet so i'm still not able to work, and I wasn't allowed to go on holiday. :( - But once I've healed fully I know that I'll be safe to go in a car which I wasn't prior to the op. (Surgeon said if we were involved in a crash from behind it would probably finish the disc off and I'd be paralysed!!!) Good enough reason for having my op!!!
Ann xx
magtize
07-31-2003, 10:19 AM
Alex
Again welcome.As you can see I had surgery 8 years ago with bone donor after I had exhausted all other avenues(meds,therapy,epidurals) Did really well until last year and have now been through all again.Have NS appoint. Aug 14
Really you need to search for all the information you can get.Then only you can decide.
Stick around I'm sure this board will be very helpful for you as it has been for so many.
Ann
Welcome to this great board.You will feel like part of a big family in no time.
Again welcome.As you can see I had surgery 8 years ago with bone donor after I had exhausted all other avenues(meds,therapy,epidurals) Did really well until last year and have now been through all again.Have NS appoint. Aug 14
Really you need to search for all the information you can get.Then only you can decide.
Stick around I'm sure this board will be very helpful for you as it has been for so many.
Ann
Welcome to this great board.You will feel like part of a big family in no time.
more
07-31-2003, 05:33 PM
I had the same discs done that you are talking about in 3/2002. I had the fusion (using own bone) and plating. From what I have read on these boards it seems like those that go with plating have more success with fusion. I also had the Miami J collar worn for 7 weeks. I was completely out of pain and just about back to full functioning in February of this year (about 11 months later) and then compressed my neck by hitting the ceiling in my bedroom and did some damage to the disc above the fusion.
My surgeon indicated it was good I had the plate because I probably would have dislodged the bone - with how hard I hit and the compression. So personally I would not go without the plating if I had a choice.
Note: I also would not go without the hard brace if I needed to have more surgery (as much as a discomfort it was wearing it 24/7).
But you need to research the procedure - get lots of good info by searching on the internet for ACDF. Also check out the surgeon for their record. See if they have had any lawsuits against them.
Good Luck and if you have any questions or concerns come here for some great advise and answers - many of us have gone through what you are going through now - or are going through it with you. There is nothing like getting answers from those with experience.
[This message has been edited by more (edited 07-31-2003).]
My surgeon indicated it was good I had the plate because I probably would have dislodged the bone - with how hard I hit and the compression. So personally I would not go without the plating if I had a choice.
Note: I also would not go without the hard brace if I needed to have more surgery (as much as a discomfort it was wearing it 24/7).
But you need to research the procedure - get lots of good info by searching on the internet for ACDF. Also check out the surgeon for their record. See if they have had any lawsuits against them.
Good Luck and if you have any questions or concerns come here for some great advise and answers - many of us have gone through what you are going through now - or are going through it with you. There is nothing like getting answers from those with experience.
[This message has been edited by more (edited 07-31-2003).]
alex65
08-01-2003, 01:24 AM
Magtize, Back to the future, more:
Thank you for the valuable information. I am very glad to find this board, it is very encouraging to hear from people who know what we are going through.
As for plating, are they temporary ? in other words, will there be another surgery to remove them or do they stay for life ?
Thanks again and best of luck to you all
Alex
[This message has been edited by alex65 (edited 08-01-2003).]
Thank you for the valuable information. I am very glad to find this board, it is very encouraging to hear from people who know what we are going through.
As for plating, are they temporary ? in other words, will there be another surgery to remove them or do they stay for life ?
Thanks again and best of luck to you all
Alex
[This message has been edited by alex65 (edited 08-01-2003).]
rollercoasterfan
08-02-2003, 12:53 AM
Hi Alex,
Welcome aboard. I have had 2 fusion surgeries...C6-7 with no hardware in 1998. I wore a soft collar for 4-5 weeks and had no PT post op. Had a very rough time and ended up with chronic pain/headaches etc.
I just had another fusion surgery done on July 2nd, C 3-6 with hardware, no collar post op and PT was started 5 days post op. I also have a spinal fusion pack this time with help with bone growth to help you fuse. I am having much more success with this surgery than the last one. The surgeries were done by different NS's and their approaches are completly different.
Do lots of research on this topic....it is life changing and my advice would be be prepared. If you have any other questions on my situations/ surgeries....please feel free to ask.
Welcome again.
Hugs,
Suzie
:angel:
------------------
ACDF 6-7 June 1998
ACDF 3-6 w/ hardware
July 2, 2003
Welcome aboard. I have had 2 fusion surgeries...C6-7 with no hardware in 1998. I wore a soft collar for 4-5 weeks and had no PT post op. Had a very rough time and ended up with chronic pain/headaches etc.
I just had another fusion surgery done on July 2nd, C 3-6 with hardware, no collar post op and PT was started 5 days post op. I also have a spinal fusion pack this time with help with bone growth to help you fuse. I am having much more success with this surgery than the last one. The surgeries were done by different NS's and their approaches are completly different.
Do lots of research on this topic....it is life changing and my advice would be be prepared. If you have any other questions on my situations/ surgeries....please feel free to ask.
Welcome again.
Hugs,
Suzie
:angel:
------------------
ACDF 6-7 June 1998
ACDF 3-6 w/ hardware
July 2, 2003
BWL
08-02-2003, 11:59 AM
Hi Alex,
The use of plating has been shown to siginficantly increase the chances of successful fusion. After the bones are fused the plate doesn't really do anything, but typically won't cause any long term problems. I would ask your docs their reasoning for not adopting a proven technique. In my case I was also allowed to go with a semi-optional soft collar immediatley after surgery. Having to wear a hard collar for weeks would have been a deal breaker for me! Think of your convalesence.
I'm sure some other multi-level - show-offs :) - folks will come foward with their experiences.
All the best,
Bruce
------------------
ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
The use of plating has been shown to siginficantly increase the chances of successful fusion. After the bones are fused the plate doesn't really do anything, but typically won't cause any long term problems. I would ask your docs their reasoning for not adopting a proven technique. In my case I was also allowed to go with a semi-optional soft collar immediatley after surgery. Having to wear a hard collar for weeks would have been a deal breaker for me! Think of your convalesence.
I'm sure some other multi-level - show-offs :) - folks will come foward with their experiences.
All the best,
Bruce
------------------
ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)