Too many bad discs to operate? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

jshu43 · 03-28-2009, 08:32 AM

I'm wondering if anyone here has had the same problem. I first went to a surgeon who said I needed to have an ACDF for C5-7. Then I went to get a second opinion and the surgeon told me that I had bad discs from C2-8 and that he would want to do at least C4-7. The problem with that he said was that the more discs that you do, the greater the loss of mobility and then you also put stress on the adjoining discs which aren't in great shape and then I will end up having to go back and do more. I have numbness in my arm and hands, but really my big issue is the pain in my neck and upper back and shoulders - it's excruciating and keeps me from even being able to sit for any length of time without being in agony. I'm for all practical purposes disabled because I have to lay back in bed most of the day. I'm only 57 and feel I have a lot of life left in me to live and each year my spine degenerates further.

The surgeon wants me to go for diagnostic injections before he makes his final decision. Now I like this doctor and he makes sense. I don't want to have surgery if I would be worse off. I guess that's the question - I'm pretty bad now - and I don't have a lot of mobility in my neck anyway.

Does anyone have any advise or experience? Thanks!!

sammyo1 · 03-29-2009, 06:05 AM

jsh, I am so sorry that is tough. I think trying the injections first may be wise. It may let you know what areas are causing you the most pain. If surgery is decided on that would be the area to target. I think alot of us know how you feel. It takes all your energy when your in pain like that & makes you feel alot older then you are. Have you set up the injections yet? Do you see a pain management doctor? I would think it you dont you would need to with all those discs involved. Do you have DDD? I have started alot of supplements to try to help myself as much as I can. I am sure people question whether they really work but I figure what do I have to loose.
I also noted that a client of mine went for her bone desity test after being on calcium & a script for med. for bone loss. I noticed the one area that had a small amount of improvement was her lumbar spine. She did not have a problem in the C area, but this showed me that you never know & it cant hurt to try. My surgeon told me to make sure I take calcium everyday.
I feel for you & just wanted you to know your in my thoughts & prayers. Sammy

jshu43 · 03-29-2009, 08:00 AM

Hi Sammy,
I am thinking of waiting a couple of weeks for the diagnostic test - I had one more surgeon that I had an appt with. He was recommended by my cardiologist who is one of the best in Houston. His office had told me that they don't really recommend steroid injections. So, I will wait until I see him before I go ahead. I think it's probably a good idea to do though. I'll be curious to hear what he says. His office told me that they wouldn't have made an appt with me unless he felt he could help me.

I do have a pain management doctor that I just started seeing. He wants to do the steroid injections. The last doctor wants me to go to his specialist for the testing though. Afterwards I could go to the PM doc if they think that is the way to go.

They said I had DDD and cervical spondylosis and degenerative spondyloisthesis, canal stenosis and spinal cord deformity w/o compression. Also foraminal stenosis. IN my bone scan the doctor said it showed I have bone on bone causing a lot of problems.

I am taking calcium and Vit D every day. I have osteoporosis and recently had a Reclast infusion (which somehow has upped my pain significantly.) I've tried everything else for years but the steroid injections. I've had Botox, chiro, accupuncture, Radiofrequency of the facet joints - nothing seems to work. I hate to live on medication which doesn't even touch the pain anyway. But, you know, I'm seeing some doctors, and I will kind of weigh them all and see who I feel makes the most sense. The first surgeon said that I had 0% chance of getting any relief other than surgery and w/ sugery I had an 80% chance of have significant relief. But I don't fully trust him. I do tend to trust the last doctor more. I will probably end up having the diagnostic tests and then see if they think they can address them w/ surgery and go from there.

One other problem that concerns me is that the numbness in my hands seems to be getting a tiny bit worse. I don't know how long I will be able to afford health insurance. If I don't get surgery soon, I may never be able to get it. That's not a reason to push ahead w/ surgery that I shouldn't have - but it is something that I have to think about.

jennybyc · 03-29-2009, 09:55 AM

I'd get a second opinion! I'm fused from C3 to T1 and it's not that bad at all. Now when they have to include C2 you do lose a lot more movement and I'm facing that now and my surgeon will decided on June 3rd. Appears I have herniated the disk at C2-3. Luckily there is no disk between C1-2. But there are people who have their skulls fused to their spines due to malformations they are born with or through accidents and they function just fine. You learn to turn your whole body instead of your head.

Find a neurosurgeon that uses the Vertex System that is modular and allows for long fusions with far better success. Last time I was at the doc I met a man who was fused from C3 to T8. He felt great! The neuro took out all the little plates and screws that had been used by someone else and used this new system and he felt wonderful. No pain.

So long fusions are not the nightmare he has painted which means he doesn't use this system. Go elsewhere...preferably a university associated practice where the neuro teaches. They are the most up to date on the latest techniques. Your guy sounds like he's still in the 70's.

good luck...........Jenny

jshu43 · 03-29-2009, 10:17 AM

Jenny - Thanks for the feedback. Actually, the surgeon I talked with is a part of a big neurology research department with one of the major medical hospitals in Houston. He is a professor of neurosurgery as well. But I think perhaps spinal surgery is just a small bit of his practice. I see a lot more about brain surgery, trimengial nerve, etc when I look him up. I think also the fact that the numbness is not my worst complaint is another reason he is hesitant to operate. I understand that the severe pain from numbness and nerve damage to the arms and hands can be untenable and one must operate. I just am having a hard time getting through my head why debilitating pain in my neck and shoulder and upper back don't warrant some intervention as well. But hopefully, the diagnostic testing will give me some answers on exactly which area is causing the most pain and I can go from there. I also think that the surgeon appropriately wants to make sure his success rate is as high as possible and I know that multiple discs lower one's success rate.

Good tip on finding someone that uses the Vertex System - I will do that.

Do you think that your C2 might be a result of your fusion? The surgeon told me that with fusions, it puts additional stress on the adjoining discs - which makes sense. But then my discs seem to be degenerating any way - a little bit more each year. How long has it been since you had your surgery? What symptoms did you have?

Thanks so much for the encouragement! When I hear and read success stories like the ones you talk about, it gives me hope that I haven't had for years.