What are the odds of needing additional fusion surgery? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

emb · 09-10-2003, 08:33 PM

Hi,

I am almost four weeks post-op for a c5-6 ACDF. In addition to the compression and osteophytes at c5-6, my pre-operative MRI's show osteophytes with moderate foraminal encroachment and mild central protrusions at c4-5 and c6-7.

My brother (who is a workers comp lawyer and sifts through medical files every day) called today to check on me. He asked if the NS had told me how long it would be before I needed the other levels fused. He said that fusion puts stress on the other levels, and that they should degenerate more quickly as a result.

Now I am worried. Is my brother right? Does anyone know what the chances are of needing additional surgery? If further surgery is likely, why not take care of it in one procedure?

Thanks in advance for any info or insight.

Hoping little brother is wrong for once. LOL.

-Em

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Em
DDD, 8/15/03ACF c5-6 w/plating

schragie · 09-10-2003, 08:40 PM

Hi emb and good luck with the recovery. I had two levels fused 4 years ago and the level right above herniated. Docs say it is likely due to stress of the discs like your brother said.
Good news is I am handling it through PT, epidural shots and the like. No surgery recommended--not yet anyway!
I hope you are not one of the unfortunates who have this domino effect with discs!

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1999 fusion C5-6 & C6-7
2002 herniation of C4-5

emb · 09-10-2003, 08:52 PM

Hi Schragie,

That was a quick reply! Thanks! I'm sorry to hear about your new symptoms and dx. Also sorry that my brother is right again.

We think that the numb spot on my shoulder is c4-5, but it really doesn't bother me too much so I'm hoping it won't get worse. Did you have any pain free time before your c4-5 herniation? I am so looking forward to that day. Did you have PT after your first surgery? Did that help?

Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to sort all this out.

Thanks again,

Em

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Em
DDD, 8/15/03ACF c5-6 w/plating

mdla · 09-11-2003, 04:13 AM

I have heard too that all the disk around have to work harder to rotate since you have one level not able to do it.