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Neurology (Expert Forum)
RE; Failed fusion
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RE; Failed fusion
by Kikko, Aug 17, 2005 12:00AM
On August 11, I posted a question that somehow seemed to have beem missed. I will now repost it.
I am a 65 yr. old woman who had a cervical laminectomy at c4/c5/c6 over 25 yrs ago. 3 yrs ago I had multi-level c3 through c5 anter fusion. xrays & MRI show one of the bottom plate screws is angled & is in the disc - not attached to the vertebra. I have been told this fusion is going to fail. Somedays I can't stand the pain, other days I can live with it. Pain is in neck, shoulders, arms and weak hands, severe headaches. I also have been told by 2 orth/neuro surgeons that this is a very difficult problem to repai as my neck is tilting forward from the laminectomy. My question is: What happens when a fusion fails? What can I do to prevent further damage to my neck? Could this problem eventually cause paralysis? I also had barum swallow test and it show a protrusion in the area of the plate where food lodges and causes me to choke. Is this also related to the above problem? Thank you for your reply. Kikko
I am a 65 yr. old woman who had a cervical laminectomy at c4/c5/c6 over 25 yrs ago. 3 yrs ago I had multi-level c3 through c5 anter fusion. xrays & MRI show one of the bottom plate screws is angled & is in the disc - not attached to the vertebra. I have been told this fusion is going to fail. Somedays I can't stand the pain, other days I can live with it. Pain is in neck, shoulders, arms and weak hands, severe headaches. I also have been told by 2 orth/neuro surgeons that this is a very difficult problem to repai as my neck is tilting forward from the laminectomy. My question is: What happens when a fusion fails? What can I do to prevent further damage to my neck? Could this problem eventually cause paralysis? I also had barum swallow test and it show a protrusion in the area of the plate where food lodges and causes me to choke. Is this also related to the above problem? Thank you for your reply. Kikko
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Aug 23, 2005 12:00AM
Some questions require a little more research to find you the best answer. Hence I consulted one of my colleagues who is an expert in the area. We try to answer questions within 5-6 days at most, sometimes sooner.
Thanks for posting
Please see Aug 11th answer
Thanks for posting
Please see Aug 11th answer
Also, the doc did get to your question you posted earlier, I guess you just accidentally got skipped for a while. Good luck and try to stay as pain free as possible.
There you have it. Simple as that.
Don't be afraid, be comfortable.
Best of luck!