C6-7 Fusion - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

racinjason89 · 09-05-2006, 08:35 AM

I'm a little concerned about my upcoming surgery. I am supposed to have C6-7 spinal fusion. My concerns are this: How much will this limit my movement in my neck and back? Will I need to have surgery again later on in life because of surrounding disk deterioration? I am only 34 and want to be able to proceed with a normal active life with my kids. Originally the surgeon wanted to do a new procedure which replaced the disc with an artifical one. However, my insurance will not cover it. Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

PNo · 09-05-2006, 10:22 AM

Hi - I had fusion- a 2 level C4-6 in 2004 and after that I noticed no real loss of any motion, maybe a when little looking up. Recently I had a 3rd level added C6-7 and again I noticed no real loss. You may lose a little, but most people that I have heard from on board did not really impact them.

As far as will other levels be affected? There is no way to predict. THere is risk but many go on to not have any further problems. Some like me, develop adjacent disease. Actually my surgeon feels the level was going to go bad regardless because of my widespread DDD and stenosis.

Jimmy B · 09-05-2006, 10:37 AM

Jason,

I too am considering scheduling surgery for the same fusion in the next month. My NS tells me that I will need this surgery eventually, even If I get over this current episode of neck/arm pain and finger numbness with PT.
I asked my NS the same questions you are asking and here is what he told me... How much will this limit my movement in my neck and back? Fusion in the cervical area such as this will not cause any noticable limitation of movement. You may physically not have the same range of motion as you once did, but this is something your body will adjust to and your range of motion naturally decreases little by little over the years anyways (Just a part of getting older). You WILL NOT be walking around like some kind of robot... (if thats what you are picturing in your head) or have to turn your whole body to see things. Will I need to have surgery again later on in life because of surrounding disk deterioration? This is a tricky question. I do not know what your current diagnosis is (ie DDD, stenosis, herniated/bulged disc, bony spurs, etc.) Basically there is no guarantee that this will not happen in the other areas of your cervical spine, however your doctor should be able to give you some kind of idea as to your chances of re-occurance from diagnosing your current condition. What type of surgeon are you seeing? I would ask him all the questions you are asking here and have him explain exactly what he will be doing in your neck. Make him show you with a model and/or MRI images. This might make you feel better about the range of motion issue as well. Hope your surgery is a SUCCESS !

Jimmy B.

racinjason89 · 09-05-2006, 05:45 PM

Thanks. This helps alot. I'm going to another NS tomorrow for a second opinion. The first NS just made disc replacement sound so good and fusion sound so primative. Now that the insurance won't pay for replacement, fusion is an excellent procedure. So you see my confusion.

racinjason89 · 09-06-2006, 09:24 AM

Now I'm really confused. I went for a second opinion and was told he wanted to do an EMG. After that he would determine if I need surgery or if P.T. would do the trick. Problem is, I have surgery scheduled for this friday with the first NS. Any thoughts?