Some advice - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

jenellis2001 · 11-29-2006, 07:33 PM

Hi
I was told today I would need fusion of c5,c6and c7 in order to stop cronic neck and head pain. I have had this pain for 10 yeas and have been to over 10 Dr. before one bothered to do an MRI on my neck now we find I have 3 hurneted disks and one is pressing on the cord.

I am looking for info on the proceedure, how bad did it hurt, how long were you in the hospitail? what complacations and side effects did you have, was your pain manageable in the hospitial and when you got home, how long were you off of work?

wow that alot of questions

Jen

PearlDoves · 11-29-2006, 10:26 PM

I had one level done at C5-C6 to get rid of bone spurring and had been suffering on and off for 6 years. The proceedure is done under general anethesia. I remember nothing of my proceedure. The hospital stay is 1 to 2 days. After surgery you may have some swallowing issues and horseness of the voice and have some pain, but usually that pain can be pretty well controlled with pain meds and many people report having immediate relief of their pre-surgical symptoms after surgery. Today it is 3 weeks since my surgery and I am only taking tylenol for pain meds. I have some swelling/swallowing issues still so I was put back on a steroid for a few days. You can expect to be off of work for 4 to 6 weeks. And with the fact that you will be having more than one level done, you will probally be wearing a hard neck collar for a few weeks to keep your neck still.

NYD · 11-30-2006, 11:02 AM

Hello.

I am at 3 and half months and life is back to normal. I was in a hard collar for just over two months. Not as bad as had thought it would be. I am at 90% right now. I have been given the green light to go back skiing in January!! I have zero pain now.

Just take it easy while healing. Rest, and allow your body to heal.

I feel great!

good luck....