neck pain ? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

pooh26 · 05-09-2006, 10:03 AM

My doc says that the disc in my neck has some evidence of dehydration. Is there anything that can be done for this besides surgery. He is talking about doing a fusion. Should I get a second opinion? Is there any procedure that can be done to restore they hydration? Please help I don't know what to do.

donnaC · 05-09-2006, 12:30 PM

Hi Poolh

Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to hydrate or replace what has been lost between your discs. It's gone.

That's the purpose of the surgery is do put in a cage btw your discs and fill it with ground up pieces of bone graph-where they get that bone graph, there's a choice-they can harvest it from your hip bone (illiac crest) but that's another surgery and most people have problems with their hip or legs afterward-or your doc can use cadaver bone-or he can do like my doc did and take it out of the nearby site that he's doing the surgery on. Sometimes the doc will ask you and sometimes he will tell you what he's going to do unless you discuss this with your doc.

Sorry I couldn't be more positive but you have what is called degenerative disc disease(DDD) and only surgery for that is the fusion.

Good luck

donna

pooh26 · 05-09-2006, 04:30 PM

I had DDD in my lumbar region in the L4-S1 and had that fused but I still have some pain there and that is why I am scared to do it again. With the first surgery I never heard that the disc were dried out so that's why I didn't understand that. The doctor also said that my cervical spine is straight instead of curved. What exactly does that mean? He is one of those doctors that only speak medical terms and not English that I can understand. Is surgery the only option for a straight spine? I just don't want to have another surgery and the way he talks that is my only option. Can someone please offer me some advice. I am only 26 yrs. old and it seems like alot of surgery to have done at such a young age.

SpineAZ · 05-09-2006, 06:56 PM

If you haven't already had one, I think you should request an MRI. Mere dehydration alone doesn't mean that the answer is surgical. Many of us here have had MRI's that reveal disc herniations or protrusions, some with bone spurring, impinging on the nerve root or even the spinal cord. There's a wealth of information on the internet on cervical disc disorders, I would urge you to do research and then ask related questions. And, a second opinion can't hurt in this, or any, situation.

ember919 · 05-09-2006, 07:44 PM

Considering doing a search on "cervical lordosis" for more information about the straight spine. (you can google images as well as written information) Depending on the situation, this is sometimes temporary.

The next time your doctor says something you don't understand, stop him and say, "Excuse me, I don't know what that means. Could you explain it in simpler terms?" They deal with these conditions and medical terms every day and often forget that we don't. If he won't take time to explain things, find another doctor!