Cervical Anterior Fusion--thoughts - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Surgery042909 · 03-25-2009, 01:29 PM

Hi!

I face this surgery on April 29th. I am a 45 year of female.

Looking back my discs have probably been herniated for a long time. I have known for the last 4 years. The spinal cord was not affected and then for some reason between 09-08 and 02-09 my spinal cord became compressed more then flat, kind of crescent shape at C4-5 some slight compression at C5-6 and C6-7 but nothing major.

My neurosurgeon thinks it probably dates back to a car accident 25 years ago that just compromised the area enough to let time do the rest. It seems unreal something so long ago could come back to get you.

I am scheduled for surgery 04/29/09 to decompress the spinal cord and fuse from c4-c7 with the use of instrumentation and an anterior approach.

I am thankful I have a GP who has been watching the discs yearly since they were discovered 4 years ago to be herniated and that when I told him of strange symptoms in my leg he did not hesitate to send me for a MRI immediately and 2 days later a neurosurgeon.

My original symptoms all came and went and included pain across my left chest, all through the shoulder and occassional numbness in the left arm and occassional headaches. All from a pinched nerve I am told. I dealt and dealt pretty well.

Now I have periodic leg cramps (for lack of a better word), hyperreflextivity (sorry don't know if I spelled that one right) pain at the base of my neck, and lose of some use of my left hand. It works but slower and not at fine things like clasps or grabbing little stuff. The most interesting symptom I didn't know was even a symptom until seeing the NS was the occassional urgent need to visit the bathroom. It is really quite amazing how things work. I have lower back stiffness leading into my left leg with the MRI showing the rest of my spine as being fine but the doctor says this one is not connected.

I am interested in what I should expect in repards to range of movement after the fusion. (C4-7). I would also like an idea of what to expect following surgery recovery wise. Will I be able to take care of myself or will others need to come in? I am lucky and thankful that my symptoms are not extensive or constant but I understand the danger of doing nothing.

My doctor has told me that I can go back to work (desk job) after 2-3 weeks but it seems most of you are saying longer.

I am scared silly of having the surgery since I have never had any sort of surgery, ever!!

Thanks for any insight and words to releive some of my surgery anxiety.

Judi

sammyo1 · 03-26-2009, 07:07 AM

Hi Judy, I am happy to see your thread up. I have every symptom you have. Really mine started with the chest area.
I am recovery from C5-6 fusion with 7 & 4 not in great shape.
As are as mobiliy in my neck my surgeon said I may loose 10% which he stated is not much but thats only from C5-6.
As far as work really you wont be able to say until you are into your recovery. Every recovery is different & not predictable. I do know with desk jobs you may return sooner. It is a long recovery & you will need to rest & follow every restriction. Your recovery will depend that.
Do you know if you will have a collar? I cant see where you would be driving that soon. I did not drive till almost 3mnths post op. I am sure there are those who are able to drive sooner but not by much.
I did not expect all of this & was surprised at how limited I was postop. Even though you may feel pretty well if you attempt to do to much you will really feel it. I think the recovery stage is hard for most.
Try to be as prepared as you can be for surgery. Getting things together to keep you occupied. Alot of people like using a wedge pillow for comfort. Keeping things within reach for showering & so on...I made sure I got a good haircut right before. It sounds silly but I am really glad I did. You may need help for the first few days postop. Its always best to have someone around just in case. I could not manage to get out of bed on my own the first few days. alot of people use recliners more, its easier to get in & out of. clothes that are easy to get on & off, like button ups. Any house work that you feel needs to be done make sure its caught up on if you can. I declined so much before surgery all my plans went down the tubes so to speak. My headaches became to much to do anything & I tried to continue working & put off alot of preparing my house.
I am sure others will join in here & you will find their advice more valuable then I can say. There is a great bunch of people here. good luck, Sammy

Surgery042909 · 03-26-2009, 02:45 PM

I am so confused.

Did you have hardware?? Anterior or posterior? Mine is scheduled to be a anterior approach fusion with hardware.

I guess I have a boatload of questions for the 16th when I see the surgeon again. I was told I could not drive for a week and afterwards would have to use a hard collar for driving for a few months. I was told that was to safe guard me in case of an accident. I was told I would need a soft collar for about 6 weeks when sleeping to help make sure I didn't move funny in my sleep. I was told the worse patients usually complain about is their throat for a day to 4.

He told me he uses the titanian plate to speed recovery. He also said he does not harvest ones own bone to speed recovery.

I know I can't lift things for awhile over 5 pounds.

The surgeon told me that I would lose about 7% up and down movement because only one disc is currently functioning and moving anyway. (the other two are completely flat and dry)

I am soooo confused, I don't know what to expect. I am a single mom living and working in a rural area, I have to be able to drive and get around.

I don't mind working around some things but that one is really not something I can do without. I have to work. I have to eat. I have to do for the family.

The doctor made it sound like I would be down totally for a week and house bound with the need to really take it easy for two weeks but that I should actually be feeling better in some regards. After that I could slowly resume my regular activities. Idon't expect to be doing jumpping jacks in a few weeks but I would like to able to take care of myself. What can I expect??

Will I be able to shower alone? What can't be done that front opening clothes are needed? Can't we move our arms?? Are we able to walk to exercise? Is physical therapy usual or not usual after the procedure? Does the neck hurt afterwards? What hurts and can't be used??

I am afraid this will be more then I can handle.

cjlivinlife · 03-26-2009, 04:15 PM

I had acdf C5-6 c6-7 with hardware done on Feb 17th and I went back to work at 5 weeks. I could not drive for 4 weeks and had a soft collar for 4 weeks. It was not easy to sit in one position for too long but it has gotten better every day. I think I went back to work sooner than most and it has been tough the first few days but it is getting better everyday. I think it would be hard to go through this by yourself with no help especially if you have kids. I still have a restriction on lifting of 10lbs and no excessive bending, twisting. I am at 5+ weeks and still have restrictions with my physical exercise and will probably start physical therapy next week. I wish all of you the best of care with your surgeries and you just have to learn patience and do what the doctor says to do. Remember everyone heals at different paces so it is hard to know for sure how your body will recover. Take care,

want a good out · 03-26-2009, 05:44 PM

Well, I too have had c4 thru c7 fused with the plate and donor bone. My experience is a little diff from cj's. I was house bound for 4 weeks which ment no driving. I had the hard Aspen Vista collar on (and the office indicated it was illegal to drive with it) and also had my in-laws here helping me. I was on a 5 lb restriction, no pushing, no pulling, no bending, no house work ect. for 4 weeks. I even needed help washing my hair everyday. I could raise my arms, but it hurt too much for about 2 weeks to do it. I then went to a soft collar and that has been on 2 weeks. I start PT tomorrow. The pain has been controlled primarily with muscle relaxers and I have vicoden when the burning starts. I think means I'm doing too much. I had the anterior approach and was in the hospital for 2 1/2 days. My pain pre op was almost constant and was gone after surgery. I love waking up in NO PAIN everyday since. It is almost like they wave a magic wand and it is gone and the price you pay is being inactive for a peroid of time. Good luck. Your outcome will depend on your surgeon and and how well you follow the restrictions. Good luck. It for me was worth it.