Neck fusion questions

[Joe900]

I am looking into neck fusion surgery.  It would be a 3 level situation C-4  to C-7.  I have arthritis.  Part of my vertebrae has penetrated the spinal canal. I am receiving conflicting information from my pain doctor, a neurologist, verses the neurologist who will preform the surgery.
Question:  How much mobilty will I have after surgery?  Will I still be able to drive and be physically active?  What major changes will occurr?

[alinpain]

ive had two fusions,neck,,,,,,,back.i have never heard of what you just wrote and i have been going through this for 14 months.and in my neck they used a titanium plate and bolts and im fine,no pain at all and that was sept 1, 06.......and surgurys inbetween and my last was oct 26,07 and they used a cadavor bone,...(spelling) you know a dead person,didnt want no bonegraft heard it is very painful even after the op

[krisssi147]

I have had four fusions. MY advise to you, even though it's a longer recovery, use your own bone. My last one they used a semi new VECTRA plating & I have never been in so much pain in my life.
Good Luck & God Bless,
Krissi

[alinpain]

i had a discectomy in  my c7 t1........and then i had a fusion at c5,c6,and im fine no problems at all.its not like a back fusion which i had also because its a lot less wieght to carry ...........your head.my back will take a year or so to fuse if everything goes well
god bless-al

[JG23]

I came across your post, I myself have been offered fusion for my herniated disk.... it's pinching on a nerve and I have some sort of curvature of my tailbone, I've had back pain as far back as I remember (it's believed to be from a childhood injury).  It worsened over the yrs. I have neck & shoulder problems they've still yet to figure out. My Dr. had me on percocet for over a yr now, sent me to pain management without telling me she could no longer treat me for my pain, and he refuses to give me my medication until I agree  to do an EMG then the fusion or spinal block.
I'm afraid of either as I've heard horro stories of the fusion (implants) and I have told the spinal block will cause the muscles to degenerate, but it seems I can't get a truly STRAIGHT answer from anyone.
Anyway I was just curious what sort of conflict you are recieving in the information you've been given.