cervical fusion

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I can really sympathize with you and feel your pain.... I just

suffered through a pain crisis this morning that was pretty

horrible. I have had two surgeries on my neck. The first at C 4-5,

and the second at C 3-6 with titanium plates, rods and screws.

There are some limitations on how far I can turn my head, and the

only time I really notice it is when I do what little driving I do.

I use my shoulders more to compensate. I don't think it's all that

bad of a trade off for less pain. Although, it has been a while

since my last surgery, and am now having more problems too as far as

degenerative changes, pain, etc. As far as up and down limitation

go, I think I am about an inch or so from touching my chin down.

What disc are you fused at right now? & what disc are they looking to

fuse if you have surgery again?

, I hope the good results you are getting from the nerve block

continues for you.... But I do not know how long those last. I've

never had that done. Everybody's surgery is different..... Good

luck at your doctors appointment.... I wish you the best....

Take care & God Bless.

>

>

> I had cervical fusion 5 years ago and the last 6 months have been

in EXTREME pain again. I had 3 epidurals (no change) and had an EMG

this week showed nerve problems (I knew that) today I had a nerve

block and it has helped so far. How long does it usually help for? I

have a mylegram on Friday then I will meet back with the neurosurgeon

for consultaion and schedule date for surgery. Has anyone had more

than one neck fusion? Is there a point you won't be able to turn your

head? Thanks for your help

> _________________________________________________________________

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>

[Guest guest]

I am fused from occiput to C7. I suffer from hypermobility so I really couldn't

tell you how much movement you would have left after a fusion. I will tell you

that the C5-7 that was done first, was an anterior fusion and that was a peice

of cake. I had a lumbar fusion at the same time and it was pretty easy, as it

was a redo. I was back working on my house in 2-3 weeks. Now when they did the

C5 to the top of my head, (think angle iron or shelf brackets), THAT wasn't so

darn easy. It took 6 months to really feel like me again.

Good luck and God bless,

Lexi

[Guest guest]

Has anyone here had cervical fusions or anything surgically done for

their herniated discs in neck?

Heidi in PA

[Guest guest]

I had posterior fusion at C1-C2 and wore a Miami J collar for 16 weeks,24/7.

Try to see if you Dr will prescribe a hospital bed for you at home. It will be

much better for sleeping than a regular bed .

>

> I am going into anterior cervical fusion surgery june 4. I am very nervous.

Fusion will be on the c5 6 and 7 I am not looking forward to wearing the aspen

collar for 8 weeks.

>

[Guest guest]

I had a posterior cervical fusion, c2 through T2 on May 7. One

advantage of having all that hardware in my neck is that I didn't have

to wear a collar.

My recovery has been up and down, depending on my level of activity.

By the beginning of last week, I'd quit the Oxycontin, replacing it

with Ibuprophen and a muscle relaxer. I exercised fairly religiously

before the surgery and thought I should start walking as soon as

possible after returning home. That worked as long as I kept it down

to strolling around the block, But last Friday, I walked the

equivalent of about two-and-a-half blocks and thought I'd break in

half. Same deal on Saturday morning. I hurt so much I was afraid I'd

screwed up the fusion process . But planting myself in the recliner

where I sleep, eat, read, and stare at the ceiling helped.

I'd like to know from or anyone with lots of experience, if it's

normal to have to be a slug three-and-a-half weeks after surgery, and

if I need to worry about messing up the fusion?

With my thanks,

in dc

On Jun 1, 2009, at 7:38 AM, Pete wrote:

I had posterior fusion at C1-C2 and wore a Miami J collar for 16 weeks,

24/7. Try to see if you Dr will prescribe a hospital bed for you at

home. It will be much better for sleeping than a regular bed .

>

> I am going into anterior cervical fusion surgery june 4. I am very

> nervous. Fusion will be on the c5 6 and 7 I am not looking forward

> to wearing the aspen collar for 8 weeks.

>

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I had an anterior cervical fusion with metal plate and screws about a year ago.

I wore the hard collar for six weeks during the day and the soft collar at

night. I

also used a bone stimulator for four months. I was one of the lucky ones. I

did not have any pain before the surgery and very little after.

Jere

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Mark.

Actually, I've kept the activity level a lot lower than I might have

indicated. I've restricted myself to walking, first once around the

block, this morning (four-and-a-half weeks after surgery) a 20-minute

walk, no running. When I tire I nap. I'm amazed, after reading about

the problems and horror stories of others, that my recovery has been

uncomplicated. Yes, it hurt like hell at first and the mildest

activity wore me out, but the pain is now nearly gone so that I've

been able to do without pain medication as of yesterday. I tried

eliminating the meds a week ago, which didn't work, so I resumed

taking them. This time, I feel pretty confident that I can do without.

Thanks so much for your concern and helpful words. Until I see my

surgeon on the 24th of June, I'll keep the activity to walking, no

jogging, no running.

A question: did you do PT to improve range of motion. If so, about how

long after surgery did you start? My range of motion is pretty good

but could be better. My surgeon said I wouldn't need PT, but he's a

strange one and impossible to reach, short of an emergency.

Thanks,

On Jun 8, 2009, at 10:55 AM, Mark R Hardin wrote:

hi - This all brings back memories for me!! I think you need

to talk to your surgeon about what level of activity to follow. Each

has their own protocol from what I can gather reading the posts here

and talking with others who I know have had similar or even anterior

cervical fusion surgeries. As you know I had a posterior C 4-7 fusion

about a year ago. I was told no activity for 6 weeks, in a collar

24/7 (could switch from Miami J to Philly collar to shower) and then

wore it more or less for 6 weeks with the collar off and on,and

limited acticity - could walk all I wanted then, but no driving and no

lifting or twisting. BUT, the reason was to be sure the fusion was

solid and fused before I started a lot of activity. A friend of mine

had the same surgery you did at Hopkins also and he was limited even

when it felt good to him and he was trying his best to get back to

running!!

The key is for the bone to fuse before you go jarring it around. But

again each surgeon has their own protocol depending on the hardware

and surgical procedures. My surgeon used less bone which led to lower

pain at the site where it was taken and after 6 weeks my neck was

fused, which was confirmed by x-ray! I think that was why he limited

me more than others...He also used hardware, but I know these vary too!

I will keep you in my prayers as my posterior fusion was VERY painful

for several weeks after the surgery - I can really sympathize!! My

fusion it is great now though, so keep up the hope!!

mark

I had posterior fusion at C1-C2 and wore a Miami J collar for 16 weeks,

24/7. Try to see if you Dr will prescribe a hospital bed for you at

home. It will be much better for sleeping than a regular bed .

>

> I am going into anterior cervical fusion surgery june 4. I am very

> nervous. Fusion will be on the c5 6 and 7 I am not looking forward

> to wearing the aspen collar for 8 weeks.

>

------------ --------- --------- ------

[Guest guest]

- I did PT ans OT, but because of my insurance and the doctors orders I

had almost all in-home PT...but it was very passive and not involving my neck

(shoulders and back, and legs)until after the 6 weeeks - he had me in the collar

the whole time 24/7 and once he saw it was fusing properly after six weeks (as

you know it takes bone that length of time to start to fully repair or fuse) I

did begin movement with PT at home and I have BETTER range of motion now than

before the surgery - the surgeon said I would because I had been guarding my

movement due to pain before and with the posterior surgery it allowed me to

have more flexibility...My friend who had skull to T2 fused in one operation had

PT but he does have limited movement.  His situation was a bit different in that

he had a congenital defect where his spine was not attached to his occiput

(skull) - He was lucky to be alive and not paralyzed as most people discover

that defect when they

sever their spinal cord...he is over a year out now and again running

marathons!! but is a bit stiff in his posture.  I see my doc on the 25th so I

will pray for both of us to get good reports!!

 

mark

I had posterior fusion at C1-C2 and wore a Miami J collar for 16 weeks,

24/7. Try to see if you Dr will prescribe a hospital bed for you at

home. It will be much better for sleeping than a regular bed .

>

> I am going into anterior cervical fusion surgery june 4. I am very

> nervous. Fusion will be on the c5 6 and 7 I am not looking forward

> to wearing the aspen collar for 8 weeks.

>

------------ --------- --------- ------

[Guest guest]

Mark, Thanks so much. I'll hold off on all PT until seeing my surgeon

June 24. Until then, I'll " listen " to my body: rest when I'm tired,

walk to hasten healing and prevent my muscles from all turning to

mush, and I'll just be grateful for healing so well. I suspect I'll

never have the range of motion I had before, because the surgeon fused

so many levels and I had no neck pain prior to surgery. The pain was

all in my arms and hands. I have, however, more range of motion than I

expected after all that cervical carpentry.

On Jun 9, 2009, at 9:54 AM, Mark R Hardin wrote:

- I did PT ans OT, but because of my insurance and the doctors

orders I had almost all in-home PT...but it was very passive and not

involving my neck (shoulders and back, and legs)until after the 6

weeeks - he had me in the collar the whole time 24/7 and once he saw

it was fusing properly after six weeks (as you know it takes bone that

length of time to start to fully repair or fuse) I did begin movement

with PT at home and I have BETTER range of motion now than before the

surgery - the surgeon said I would because I had been guarding my

movement due to pain before and with the posterior surgery it allowed

me to have more flexibility...My friend who had skull to T2 fused in

one operation had PT but he does have limited movement. His situation

was a bit different in that he had a congenital defect where his spine

was not attached to his occiput (skull) - He was lucky to be alive and

not paralyzed as most people discover that defect when they

sever their spinal cord...he is over a year out now and again running

marathons!! but is a bit stiff in his posture. I see my doc on the

25th so I will pray for both of us to get good reports!!

mark

I had posterior fusion at C1-C2 and wore a Miami J collar for 16 weeks,

24/7. Try to see if you Dr will prescribe a hospital bed for you at

home. It will be much better for sleeping than a regular bed .

>

> I am going into anterior cervical fusion surgery june 4. I am very

> nervous. Fusion will be on the c5 6 and 7 I am not looking forward

> to wearing the aspen collar for 8 weeks.

>

------------ --------- --------- ------