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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Herniated Disk in cervical spine
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Herniated Disk in cervical spine
by Lauren, May 10, 2001 12:00AM
I have had an MRI, due to neck and shoulder pain. The MRI shows a "moderate-sized, broad-based, central and left-sided herniated disk. There is a severe compromise of the left side of the spinal canal. There is a moderate degree of cord compression on the left. There is also cmopromise of the left neural foramen. At C4-5 and C6-7, there is a mild bulging of the annuli. The spinal canal and nural foramina do not appear significantly stenosed. There is not other significant abnormality seen."
I have been to (2) neuro-surgeons, who have each told me that surgery was my only option, even though it was not an emergency. I am worried about the compromise to my spinal cord/canal, so am definitely going to have the surgery.
Each doctor has described different surgical procedures, and I am trying to weigh out the pros/cons for each:
1) Surgery through front of neck to repair area, and would use bone from my hip for fusion. Recovery (ability to drive, etc.) 3 - 4 weeks - stay in neck brace during recovery.
2) Surgery through front of neck, use bone from "bone bank" vs. my hip, then put in titanium plate. No neck brace required after surgery, and about 3 weeks recovery.
I would like any kind of input regarding each procedure and which is more widely acknowledged among neurosurgeons. Thank you so much.
If anyone else is reading this posting, and would like to send me their experience, I'd like to hear from you. ***@****
Thank you.
I have been to (2) neuro-surgeons, who have each told me that surgery was my only option, even though it was not an emergency. I am worried about the compromise to my spinal cord/canal, so am definitely going to have the surgery.
Each doctor has described different surgical procedures, and I am trying to weigh out the pros/cons for each:
1) Surgery through front of neck to repair area, and would use bone from my hip for fusion. Recovery (ability to drive, etc.) 3 - 4 weeks - stay in neck brace during recovery.
2) Surgery through front of neck, use bone from "bone bank" vs. my hip, then put in titanium plate. No neck brace required after surgery, and about 3 weeks recovery.
I would like any kind of input regarding each procedure and which is more widely acknowledged among neurosurgeons. Thank you so much.
If anyone else is reading this posting, and would like to send me their experience, I'd like to hear from you. ***@****
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P]-M.D.-RPS, May 10, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Lauren:
I will assume that you have already talked with your rehab specialist and PT and they, together with you have decided that the only, the only, thing left is surgery to correct your problem. Without alternatives, you are now a surgical candidate. Either procedure will work, the one that is most familiar with the surgeon is the one you should go with. Most of the surgeries have a fair chance of achieving pain freedom. There are potential problems with each and I am sure the surgeons have gone over them with you. Ask your rehab specialist and PT what the outcome of each has been with their experience. Spinal surgery is very surgeon specific as well as the outcome. Let us know how things turn out.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
I will assume that you have already talked with your rehab specialist and PT and they, together with you have decided that the only, the only, thing left is surgery to correct your problem. Without alternatives, you are now a surgical candidate. Either procedure will work, the one that is most familiar with the surgeon is the one you should go with. Most of the surgeries have a fair chance of achieving pain freedom. There are potential problems with each and I am sure the surgeons have gone over them with you. Ask your rehab specialist and PT what the outcome of each has been with their experience. Spinal surgery is very surgeon specific as well as the outcome. Let us know how things turn out.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
That is just my advice....I'm not a doctor just someone who has had 2 disks replaced one disk was broken and the other one herniated....
Post over there and you will have answers within a few hours, if not minutes. Put "newbie" in the title. That will increase the response. They have also compiled lists of preparing for the surgery and recovery. Great tips.
Here is the link.
http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=212&SUBMIT=Go
Best wishes.
IN JUNE 94 OPERATION PERFORMED, HAD A GREAT, RELATIVELY PAIN FREE RECOVERY.
I REPORTED FOR MY SIX WEEK CHECK UP AND COMMENTED THAT MY LEGS WERE JUMPING, AND A BURNING SENSATION BETWEEN SHOULDER BLADES.
SPCIALISTS ORDERED MRI TO SETTLE ANY UNFOUNDED THOUGHTS ON MY PART, AS HE PUT IT.
MRI SHOWED MORE EXCRUSSION OF MATTER CAUSING FURTHER CORD COMPRESSION, ANOTHER OPERATION WAS ARRANGED, AND PERFORMED IN OCTOBER THAT YEAR, AT SAME SITE T 9 T 10.
I WOKE IN RECOVERY ROOM, SURGEON LOOKING AT ME WITH FORLORN
EXPRESSION I COULD TELL THERE WAS A PROBLEM JUST BY LOOKING AT HIM. HE SAID AND I QUOTE, SORRY DUE TO MASSIVE SCAR TISSUE COULDNT REACH THE VERY CRITICAL AREA, HE WOULD TRANSFER ME TO THE PUBLIC HOSP, AND EMPLOY THE HELP OF A THORACIC SURGEON.
THS HE DID, REOPERATED 3 DAYS LATER, MRI SHOULD DISKS FRAGMENTS, AND THIS WAS THE LAST I SAW OF THE SPECIALIST.
I AM RELATETING THIS STORY TO YOU AS IM NOW HOOKED ON MST, HAD PUMP FOR 38 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. SEVERAL OTHER HEAVY MEDS, AND YOU JUST NEVER WILL BE ABLE TO KNOW JUST HOW THE PAIN, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT PAIN HAVE VERY NEARLY DESTROYED MY LIFE. IM 55, FEMALE, AND CONSIDER MYSLF TO BE PRETTY TOUGH.
KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW, I DONT SAY THIS LIGHTLY, BUT I WUOLD RATHER HAVE LOST THE USE IF MY LEGS, THAN LOSE MY LOVE OF LIFE. MY LOVE OF MY HUSBAND, IVE LOSSED MY JOB, SELFESTEEM, I COULD GO AN ON THE LIST IS ENDLESS.
PLEASE.PLEASE ANYONE THINKING SURGERY IS STRAITH FORWARD, BE WARNED IN THE SPACE OF A FEW WEEKS MY LIFE WA TOTALLY DESTROYED. BE CAREFUL. AND GET SEVERAL OPINIONS BERFOR TAKING THAT STEP.
TAKE CARE MY FRIENDS.
CHEERS A KIWI