back and neck surgery

[bandaideman]

I am possibly need surgery on my back and neck secondary to severe to moderate disc disease. considering discectomy with fusion C3 and 4 fusion, and laminectomy of Lumbar 4 and 5. I did PT and help some help. I wondered of any of you have experience with this type of medical care and if you would like to PM me with any how things went for you, I know there is many variables like Dr. procedure done etc. Thank you.

[Sparkey]

I have had three neck surgeries. The first was a discectomy and fusion at C 5&6. The second was C4&5. The third was C 6&7. I am fused from C4 thru C7. Glad I had them done. Each time I felt a lot better after. I don’t have any experience with back surgery. I hope everything works out good for you.

[bandaideman]

Thank you very much Rusty fir your quick reply. I have been thinking about the surgeries for seems like months actually it has been but the slow down is getting info I need from VA. Like other big organizations of this type it takes time to get it all together. the surgery will be if done at the local spine hospital by Neurosurgeon there.Thanks again

[meflick]

I have had fusions done in my neck. The first one was 40 years ago next month (how can that be - I’m not that old! ) just as I graduated high school. I had some issues and they found that I had a congenital issue where I actually had no disc between my first 3 vertebrae so they fused C1 through C3 with a portion of one of my own ribs. It Went great for the most part for about 30 years. Then I had to have C5-C6 fused. The problems are, once you start fusing, it puts more stress on other areas. Before second fusion, I was having lots of headaches and arm pain and problems for a while.  Wanted to put it off as long as I could as I had children I was raising and running around. Finally told me it was starting to impinge on my spinal cord and I had to do it. That was 10 years ago. Once it was done, it was great. Headaches disappeared, arm pain and numbness problems gone. Wished I had done it sooner. I inquired then about putting in a fake disc which was relatively new then but Dr. said wouldn’t be good with prior fusion. The differences in how they did the surgery from the first one, and the second one 30 years later was remarkable. I’ve started having some “minor” issues off and on recently with probably C6-7, but. will wait until they become much more significant before exploring what to do. I will push hard for fake disc versus fusion if at all possible should I need surgery again down the road. My main issue is I have some limited mobility with my neck, people pick it up when they stand behind me to talk to me.  they often ask if I have a sore neck. My mother had a fusion in her lower back same summer I had my second cervical fusion. She did well with it and it helped with her pain as well. That is not always the case with lower backs. Cervical usually does good for many folks, but be sure and know what they are going to do and that progress can be great for many, but also slow recovery for some. Definitely listen to the Drs and the PT and do as they say for best chances. Both of mine and my mom’s were done by neurosurgeons. Some orthopedics also do back surgeries.  Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion if you feel it would help you make the best decisions for you.

Edited June 7, 2021 by meflick

[bandaideman]

Thank you Meflick for the time sharing. The doctor is wanting to do the removal of what is not already gone and replace with a artificial disc which is done from the front and then roll to stomach and fuse the spine. and do the lumbar area to put it n place with rod and screws. This to release pressure on nerves and pain. Thanks 

[WayneMahler]

My wife had a cage put in her neck about 5 years ago. Had no issues with at all. But it seems now that there is extra pressure causing a lot of pain. Someone suggested it might be from her prior surgery. Still waiting for the DR to figure it all out.

[don in brooklin on]

Thanks for starting this post.  It looks like I am on this path too.  I am just waiting for the MRI next Sunday to confirm.

I am curious if they fuse the discs how long is the recovery and will I be able to go back to scrolling like before?  

 

[TAIrving]

I am thankful that I have not had to do this.  My prayers and best wishes are with all of you who are dealing with this.  

[bandaideman]

Sorry Don I have not hade that discussion yet. The rehab does take time depending on exactly what was done and how. I have seen estimates of 4-6 months. 

[meflick]

On 6/8/2021 at 5:30 AM, don in brooklin on said:

Thanks for starting this post.  It looks like I am on this path too.  I am just waiting for the MRI next Sunday to confirm.

I am curious if they fuse the discs how long is the recovery and will I be able to go back to scrolling like before?  

 

 

On 6/8/2021 at 7:28 PM, bandaideman said:

Sorry Don I have not hade that discussion yet. The rehab does take time depending on exactly what was done and how. I have seen estimates of 4-6 months. 

Dan's recovery with both a cervical disc and lumbar fusion would be more involved and longer recovery then just doing either one alone.  the lumbar with the rod and screws is more involved then just the cervical and would have a longer time to rehabilitate. I don't recall my mother's recovery, and she only had lumbar fusion, but it was not extended period of time and she did well with it.  She had a benign tumor that was pressing on her spinal cord once they got in there and it was twisted all around as I recall so the surgery took a bit longer then they had expected but she had a great surgery and outcome and her pain was gone.

Don, you don't say what you are on the path to - so I'm not sure if it is cervical or not.  As I noted, my first cervical fusions were 40 years ago - then, I was in the hospital about a week to 10 days.  They put me in two days earlier then surgery to put me in a "sterile" environment.  Surgery was several hours and I spent the night in the ICU.  They went in from the back side and used a piece of bone from one of my ribs. It was wired in and the wire is still there. I went home in a big bulky brace with head and chin rests that set down over my shoulders.  I wore that brace for 3 months - all summer - only taking it off to sleep in a soft cervical collar.  After those 3 months, I wore the soft cervical collar for another month or so (don't remember exactly how long.)

30 years later - and 10 years ago now - I had the 2nd cervical fusion - It was done as an outpatient surgery - meaning I went in that morning and came home that afternoon.  That time they went in from the front and used cadaver bone and didn’t wire it in. They originally told me I would be "down" for 6 weeks - but I did so well they didn't keep me down that long.  I didn't even have a brace.  I was somewhat limited on what I was suppose to do - mainly it was on what I could or shouldn't lift as I recall.  I tell you all this just to say - technology and methods are constantly changing.  10 years ago - the artificial discs were relatively new and not being used much at that point - now I think they are much more common.  I wanted them to do that to keep more mobility in my neck, but my Dr. wasn't sure with my prior fusion and the unknown with the new technology that we should give it a try.  As I previously noted, my first 3 fusions done 40 years ago were C1-C3; then 30 years later - 10 years ago now I had C5-6 fused, other than not having full range of motion (that doesn't really impede me too much as I noted, most people don't pick up on it unless they stand behind me and I can drive a car just fine) I can scroll without issues.  I pray the same good outcomes for you all.

Edited June 10, 2021 by meflick

[bandaideman]

Thank you all for comments. It makes me feel warm and fussy and hopeful. I will be going to upstate NY to see my dad next week. Then return and see if I can have a discussion with the car providers and VA on how it will go. I last saw dad in Sept and am anxious to see him before final preparations.  Dad is a WWII Vet and 99 + . he does pretty well but is having more troubles with walking but has no trouble eating what ever he wants and cooks what he likes. Frustrated not doing all he did when he was much younger but does not stop him from trying, 

[meflick]

duplicate of earlier post for some reason,

Edited June 10, 2021 by meflick