BobM

Hi - sorry to hear about your problems. I have a situation similar to yours, so let me share what I know.

I was fused C5/6, and C6/7 in 2004, and C4/5 in 2005. I recovered really well from the first, and ok after the second - I have some chronic pain now that I must deal with. From things I have read, the more levels fused, and the more surgeries, the greater the chance of not getting all of the pain corrected. My chronic pain is much less than what I was experiencing before the operations, so that is a good thing.

As for the loss of range of motion (ROM) - the more levels fused, the greater the loss, but not all levels are equal. We get about 50% of our ROM from the C1/2 and C2/3 levels, and the other 50% from C3/4/5/6/7 - so about 10% for each of these levels. Since we are fused C4/5/6/7 we have 'lost' about 40% of our total ROM.

However, we learn to compensate for this 'loss' by other ways to move - I find I have to 'bend' more from the waist now to look right and left, or up and down - so the 40% loss I have so far is offset by moving differently. Also, I have learned to avoid situations that require neck motion - I'm very careful to park in places where I can pull through instead of having to look over my shoulder to back up, etc.

Staying reasonably active also can help - I learned some PT exercises that I do, and I have a theraputive massage every several weeks to help keep things moving as well as they can. I also have some Rx pain meds that I use when I must - like long plane flights.

I also have bulging discs now at C3/4, and C7/T1, so it is likely I will have more problems at some point - not a pleasant prospect. Fusions at C1/2 and C2/3, and C7/T1 seem to be a lot less common than the other levels, but certainly not unheard of.

The key to dealing with this problem we have is to not let it get us down - try to stay positive and focus on all the things we still can do, and don't fret the things we have lost. Some days this is much easier 'said than done'.

Hope this is helpful - best wishes!
Bob