Cervical Disk Surgery

I have had pain in my left arm, tingling and numbness of two fingers ( on and of ...index and middle fingers).  The neck surgery didn't show much, but the MRI showed a piched nerve between C6/7.   The neurosurgeon wants to operate on me and replace the disk.  he said I will recover in 2 weeks.  he said he has done close to 200 surgeries last year alone on backs and necks.

I do have the pain ...it comes on my left arm and blellow my shoulder.....it says constantly ...almost 20 hours a day

I need some advice on that kind of surgery.  Please help

Thanks

Nas

[RunningMom]

I just had a disc fusion on my C5-C6 4 weeks ago and my surgery went well.  It takes longer then two weeks to recover.  I still have not left my house.  My surgery pain is gone, but my neck is very weak.  There are strict restrictions for 3 months of no bending, lifting or twisting.  Also, no picking up anything off of the floor.  It takes 6 months to a year before a full recovery.

The surgery is not a guarantee to take the pain away, especially right away.  My surgeon told me my pain would be completely gone and it's not.  I have the same exact pain as pre surgery.  It could be because I had spinal cord compression and I now have nerve damage.  A lot of people do have pain relief right away, I did not.

I am glad I had this procedure done, I had to.  My symptoms were getting worse and the pain was increasing.

[kittyluv1]

Hi --
It sounds like your surgeon is recommending an artificial disk replacement rather than a fusion surgery.  Doing the ADR essentially is removing the affected intervertebral disc and inserting a metal-type disc that maintains disc height and allows greater movement and function than what would result from a fusion procedure.
The recovery from this surgery is much easier than from a fusion surgery.  You will have some restrictions initially, but should be able to resume your prior activity level with less problems than following a fusion.
I had ACDF C4-C7 done six weeks ago and I am fortunate to have had a great outcome.
My neurosurgeon does 300+ cervical spine surgeries per year and his skill was definitely evident in my case.  All of my preop pain and numbness was gone within 3 hrs of the surgery.  I am still dealing with some muscle spasms in my shoulders and a mild neck strain, but anticipate that this will resolve with a few PT sessions.
Ask your doctor about the ADR -- it really has shown significant improvement in maintaining function.
Let us know what you decide ---

[kizzz675]

Your symptoms sound exactly like mine did, however I also had severe pain radiating in my shoulderblade area.You said mri showed a pinched nerve. Did the doc tell you your disc was herniated or ruptured?
My disc was ruptured, almost had bone on bone so my nerve was really frayed.I had atrificial disc replaement done on c6/7 back in 2003.  I was up and about the very next day.  The horrible pain gone. . Would be more than happy to tell you more if you're interested.  Wondering who your doctor is and if he is able to do disc replacement as an approved surgery or is he doing it as a test study group?  

[lynettemanda]

I have two disc out at c5/6 and c6/7 they want to put in 2 slavers and a metal plate was wondering how long I would be in hospital and how long of a recovery time.                               Thanks lynette

[tinaboot]

i just had surgery on c5-c6 disc.  removed bad disc put bone graft from bone bank in its place. im still recovering still have numbness and shoulder pain, hopefully once swelling goes down i will be free of pain.  My surgery was done at Duke Raleigh, NC.  I don't know why everyone is talking about Germany they do all these surgeries in USA.

[manda516]

i finally had my surgery on 4/17/12 worse mistake ive ever made im in more pain now than before. they said i would be able to go back to work in 8 to 10 weeks. found out in june that im not healing and progressing  as i should be and have been told im never going back to work i just thank god i had my kids young i had 4 kids by the time i was 22 my youngest just turned 8 at least i finished raising them before this happened because i raised them alone working 50 to 60 hours a week  could never make it now if they was still young needing me to provide for them. my body is like someone 60 years old and im only 40 keeep me updated on how youre doing