Disc Fusion neck

[ron1963886]

I had disc fusion surgery on c4 c5 c6 plate and cadaver bone fused which was one year ago.I am still in pain
and attending pain management on a regular basis.
My question is : Is there a chance I may need a second surgery in the future?
I was told this is the norm especially if you are involved in sports

Thanks for your help

[Sandybeach71]

I feel for the both of you. I had a fusion c6-c7 six years ago. This past year and half my pains are getting worse. I need another MRI and spine doc said c5-c6 is herniated.  I knew at the time of surgery I had a buldge but the surgeon didn't want to touch it. Now I am waiting Jan 1 to change my insurance over from HMO to ppo and might see a surgeon in California. I hope I can wait 6 months for surgery. The pains are pretty severe

[Kalvin]

Yes, there is a chance that you'll need another surgery in the future, but I wouldn't say it's the norm. The probability is based on time, the younger when you have the first one the greater the chance that you might need another one.

Pain's very common after these operations, the Doctors really don't understand a lot about what generates pain in the spine. They think you can remove the disc throw in a bone graft, plate it and everything will be fine, it just doesn't work that way. These procedures completely alter the body's mechanics and chemistry.

I had a fusion 5 years ago and I never fully recovered and I'm going to be having another level fused in a couple months. Not because once you've had one, you're likely to have another, but because the idiot that operated on me thought that this particular level wasn't bad enough, and I believed him. There's no turning back now.


Take Care