Scheduled for surgery but still unsure...... - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

babsinga · 10-15-2007, 01:03 PM

Hi Everyone,

I am scheduled for surgery on November 8th but still unsure. Had a car accident in May 2007 and I have had left arm numbness and radicular pain since then and recently it has started on the right shoulder and numbness in fingers. I had 5 surgical consults, but have spent most of my time with two docs, one is board certified neuro and the other is board certified orthopedic. They are both extremely competent. The ortho is conservative and diagnoses me with radiculitis and cervical disc disease and the neuro diagnoses me with cervical stenosis, radiculopathy and myelopathy. The surgery to solve my problem is the same: 2 level ACDF 4/5/6, but I also went for two other consults with board certified neuros who came back with two other diagnoses:

One says I have cervicalgia and DDD and dont need surgery, just epidurals ( I had one three weeks ago with somewhat weak results) and the other said that he would not even consider operating on me without a CT myelogram since my left arm pain doesnt seem to correspond with my MRI which indicates I should be experiencing right arm c-4/ c-6 radiculopathy due to foraminal stenosis and that my pain should be presenting on the right.

I told my orthopedic surgeon what the neuro said and he said that it was rubbish since he has patients that present with unilateral pain that correspond with the level but not the side indicated that might be more problematic.

I am still doubting my decision. The most recent MRI report indicates that I have borderline central canal stenosis and the report I have from 4 years ago when I had my last car accident indicates that I have flattening of the thecal margin of the spinal cord. I obviously dont want to wait til I lose motor function, but with the other two disagreeing, I dont have one diagnosis that is clear cut here ranging from "You just have a headache, neckpain and DDD to you have cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

DId any of you with conflicting diagnoses see more than 5 docs? TO be honest, I am sick of docs......

BB in GA

Janatee · 10-17-2007, 03:27 PM

Hello babsinga.. Most of us here on this board are in this together. I'm always reading the post to give me info and inspiration. Iam now 7 weeks post-op ACDF. 4 levels and 1` corpectomy. Believe me this was not an easy choice. I talked to many doctors, and asked many questions. I traveled to Atlanta, and had a special new MRI done, from head to toe to find out just where the problem was coming from. My NECK,. many disc pressing on my spinal cord, that made my legs heavy, numb and walk with a limp. I took all the info and all my answered questions, and sat down with my husband, and went from there. It is always better to be informed, because knowledge is POWER... you can't go wrong. Of course I have my faith, and I did a lot of praying... my prayers were answered, and I found the right doctor for me and this procedure. I live in SC, but had my operation in Augusta, Ga. Wonderful hospital, and staff. Could not have asked for better treatment.
Anyway, the surgery was a god-send, and today I do not walk with a limp.... I do have a long way to go, and I might not be 100% like before, but doc informs me I will NOT get any worse. That is the best part. If I did not do this, in time I was told by (2) doctors I would end up in a wheel chair.. not an option for me. So, I gathered up my courage, said my prayers, and prayed God would work through my surgeons hands, and in I went. I spent 2 days and nights in the hospital, came home the 3rd day, and I will tell you truthful, I hardly had any pain. I would do it again...I wear a hard Aspen collar, and that is the worst part of this whole deal. I do everything they tell me to do, and I go back on the 30th for x rays to see how the fusion is coming along. I now have a neck of steel, but I feel good about the future. You must take a long look at what the outcome will be , if you choose not to get the surgery. But you are doing the right thing. You are checking out your options, and weighing everything else. There are a lot of "quacks" out there, and follow you gut feeling. If hes not right, move on.... One thing I would always ask my doctor was, "IF IT WAS YOU, OR YOUR LOVED ONE, WHO WOULD YOU HAVE OPERATE ON YOU" You should see how the surgeons change...and it might be worth it for you to ask the same. I sure hope this has helped you in some small way. You don't need to rush, but you don't want to keep getting worse either... Keep us informed, and good luck... Janatee