RE: Cervical Fusion coming up

December 12, 2008

I had a spinal fusion of C6 to C7 many years ago. I had a chiropractor

actually cause the problem by working on my neck. ( I told him it was for my

back why was he working on my neck ) Anyway, I digress. I had the anterior

surg done and was in the Hosp 4 days I think. I had donor bone and had to

wear the ever fashionable c-collar for 6 weeks. It helped bring the feeling

back to my right arm but the Dr told me I would most likely have trouble

with Arthritis from them on. He didn't lie, When I get tired my neck hurts

and when its cold its hurts. But I have to say the pain I get from it now is

better than the loss of function without it.

My Rhu did say that I most likely have RA in my spine but he does not think

the initial problem was caused by RA.

On Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 2:21 PM, cynthiadew1 <cynthiadew1@...> wrote:

> I am scheduled for surgery on the 18th next week, a Anterior Cervical

> Discectomy with intrumentation on my C3-4 and C4-5, Cleaning out the

> discs, bone spurs, putting in a donor bone, and plate and screws to

> hold things together.

>

> I would like to known if anyone else on this list has had their RA

> effect their cervical spine? Okay, I've also over the years I've been

> in a couple of auto accidents, fell wrong, etc. OH, yeah, graceful

> and lucky, lol. So I have bone spurs, disc herniations, narrowed

> foraminal space, etc, etc. and that's just on my cervical area. It's

> the pinched nerve that is causing me problems and has for a number of

> years. I can't use my right arm and hand without suffering for days

> after. So after trying PT and the epidurals, my doctor suggested

> surgery.

>

> Anyone else with RA who has had fusions? What is the long term

> effects of the surgery? And any suggestions for recovery time from

> other would be greatly appriecated.

> Thanks

>

December 12, 2008

Hi ,

I have a fusion in 2003 I think, C5-C6. I opted to use my own bone and no

instrumentation. Surgery was 4 hours or so and I was in the hospital for 5

days. I wore the neck brace for 3 months and started PT to strengthen my

arm back up after 6 months. I did regain some of my strength and the pain

is nothing like it was before surgery. With that said, I still have pain

daily from normal activities and the weather affects the level of pain a

lot. I still take pain meds but most of the time it's over the counter

instead of narcotic. I realize that technology is improving and the

artificial disc is now FDA approved, have you discussed this possibility

with your surgeon?

Another thing to think about is that the fusions do wear out. Last time I

researched, fusions last on the average for about 15 years, and then the

fusion must be redone. That's why I opted for the " hard way " of no metal

and my own bone in my neck (from my hip). That way there will be more bone

mass if/when the fusion needs to be redone.

Talk to your surgeon about pain management for after your surgery. You will

be in a tremendous amount of pain after the surgery and for the following

weeks. Anterior entry is more painful than posterior (I've had both

entries) but it offers the surgeons the best view of your spine. Make sure

you have someone who can help take care of you when you come home. You will

need it!

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of Heidi Mendelsohn

Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 3:22 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Cervical Fusion coming up