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Avatar universal

fusing of c5,c6,c7

i had these fused on thursday morning i am having severe pain and just starting to get usuage of both arms and hands i did not have this problem before i had surgery scheduled for 2 hours took 3 due to large bune spurs. has anybody else lose usuage and will it come back neck area and those issues i was talked about before haand are fine .prior to surgery i was losing strenght in my right arem through thumb . forefinger, and ring finger had no pain just losing stenght a chiropractor onced a wek kept pain away Randy
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Avatar universal
Well sorry your having that much issues with the fusion I had looked into it not long ago and we just started disk replacement in our area and to me it's the best possible option yet my step-father had two disks in his neck done with the disk rellacement and woke up from surgery with no pain at all wanting to get up and walk around. I do believe a hour and a half procedure and did great recovery is two weeks your back to work six weeks your back to Normal and he doesn't have problems after a year now so major difference between when the fusion will actually wear out the surrounding disks over time and will have to get it done once again plus the recovery time is pretty Long. For the most part you should gain the use and control back over a period of rehabilitation which hopefully won't take long unless you have nerve damage either previous or present then you may have an issue but hope all goes well take care
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Avatar universal
Well sorry your having that much issues with the fusion I had looked into it not long ago and we just started disk replacement in our area and to me it's the best possible option yet my step-father had two disks in his neck done with the disk rellacement and woke up from surgery with no pain at all wanting to get up and walk around. I do believe a hour and a half procedure and did great recovery is two weeks your back to work six weeks your back to Normal and he doesn't have problems after a year now so major difference
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
On hi all,

Makes things easier wife had car accident and now she's on her 1st set of steroid injections of the c4 c5 c6 this morning.  This is 1 of 3 sets of steroid injections she will be receiving here T Honolulu pain clinic.

Now my question is fusing the nerves what does that exactly mean I am reading horror stories here it seems. Also a lady next to me was saying she has never heard of a fusing the nerves as in cutting the nerves. She's only heard of fusing the back.  So I searched online I am not seeing anything on fusing/cutting the nerves please give me a decent site regarding this or explain where you get your refrences from so I can go research it

Thanks Chris
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Avatar universal
this is superiorsteam I had follow-up today and doing another round of steroids and if pain in arms not better he will to again, things are improving everyday and he said this was one of the worst he had seen I put off for along time. I can start exercing hands and grip just no lifting.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your post-op loss of arm function sounds very abnormal to me. My own experience was quite the opposite.

I had fusion of C4-C5-C6 in December 2006, after having to wait several years between diagnosis and surgery due to lack of insurance. By that time my problems had become very bad, with DDD, huge bone spurs, bulging and absent disks, and a severely compressed spinal cord. It caused nearly every symptom you can get, including incontinence. When I finally got to see a neurosurgeon, he felt I was just days away from paralysis and scheduled surgery for Thursday of that same week.

I experienced immediate and dramatic functional improvement after the surgery and have no regrets about having it. As soon as I woke up, I was able to walk better and had much better control of my hands, though my arms were rather weak both before and after the surgery. Many of my symptoms were gone or nearly gone, and those that remained continued to improve for the next several months. For example, my fine motor skills and arm strength gradually improved for about 18 months.

However, I did experience severe post-op neck and shoulder pain for a couple of months, and this pain was different and more intense than my neck and shoulder pain prior to surgery. I also had occasional "electric shock" type pains shooting down my back. I took Percocet and Soma for a few weeks and found it very effective, and the pain gradually decreased with the passage of time.

But even now I have frequent pain in my neck, shoulders, and right arm, and both my hands sometimes go numb. It's probably permanent damage due to the prolonged compression of my spinal cord and nerves before surgery. Nonetheless, it's a huge improvement compared to the whole-body symptoms I suffered prior to surgery. In those days, I could not have posted this comment because I was barely able to use my hands and could not type on my keyboard. Now I'm back to typing about 70 wpm.

What concerns me is that you (superiorsteam) are having just the opposite experience following your surgery. Rather than achieving improvement in the use of your hands and arms, you are experiencing decreased function. To me that seems abnormal and I think you need to contact your doctor ASAP.

Perhaps the arm dysfunction is caused by post-op swelling or inflammation that's pressing on nerves that go to your arms. If so, your doctor may want to prescribe steroids or something to help resolve the problem. I myself was given two rounds of steroids, post-op.
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Avatar universal
The surgery you had done was MAJOR!! They moved around a lot of muscles, and your trachaea, blood vessels, etc. If frontal surgery. It is not uncommon to have the symptoms you describe, and lots of pain After all, they cut your throat! Just try to rest as much as you can, and follow your dr's instructions closelu, especiall any weight restrictions you were given. You should see some major improvment in your pain levels soon. If not, call your surgeon and ask about it.

Tatergirl: At this time, artificial discs are only for one level. They can not do two levels, and also will not use an artificial disc if any other levels show degeneration. Sorry, but your surgeon is recommending what is accepted at this time. If your dis is impinging on your spinal cord, you could be in danger of nerve damage or even paralysis (worst case scenerio) if you get injured furthur. I know it's scary to read about all the things that can go wrong, but remember, most of the persons posting problems, have problems. The success stories seldom post. I had C5-6 ACDF in June 07. My surgery went very well, with no complications, and I was back to work in a month. Most of my symptoms, especially numbness and tingling in hands and fingers were gone. Unfortunatly I have DDD, and stenosis, and herniated another disc, so am back with symptoms again. But not because my surgery wasn't successful. If your problems stem from an injury, the chances of further problems would be quite low. Good luck, but do get treatment.
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Avatar universal
I had a multi level fusion done from C4-C7 8 weeks ago.  This was my second surgery after doing C5/C6 five years ago.  It took about 6 weeks to start to feel better.   I am returning to work next week and honestly a bit nervous about this.   I think it is important to take time off to give your body a chance to heal correctly.  I am so happy I finally had the surgery and wish I had done this a year ago instead of waiting it out.  I'm starting to feel like I have my life back again.  My doctor has me on Robaxin which really relaxes my muscles and seems to calm things down? This may or may not work for you, but might be worth a try.   It takes awhile for the nerves and muscles to calm down - up to a year is what I think I was told.  Also, are you using a bone stimulator daily?  Remember to be gentle with yourself and get lots of rest.  This is what you need to help your body heal too. It just takes awhile to feel like yourself again.  Good luck and take care!
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647391 tn?1275016633
Things will get better.  I had my neck fusion on October 8 and I have absolutely no regrets.  I was back to work after a week.  The only issue I had was reacting to the adhesive covering over the surgical site.  
I am  3 months out and I am doing physical therapy twice a week  to rebuild strength in my shoulder and arm muscles.  My household chore activity has also increased with positive results. There are times I do get a bit sour, but it isn't anything I can't handle or unexpected for the type of surgery I had.  I am told it takes up to a year for the fusion to completely take place.
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Avatar universal
Things are getting better I can use thumbs and fore fingers . just some strength hoping for more seem to be gaining everyday. From nothing to some usuage it what is really a short time. I will keep you in touch
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Avatar universal
Hello.  I have a ruptured disc L4 and L5, fm about 12 years ago.  Not much has worked over the years and now the stinging, tingling and sharp pains are moving from the toes up into the lower legs, calfs and thighs.  I am going to a chiaropractor several times a month, however this doesn't appear to be helping anymore.

Any thoughts?
Helpful - 0
693770 tn?1231546485
I have had the exact same surgery (fusion c5-c7 due to bone spurs) in fact I had them 2x's and I am worse off than before. I don't sleep, if I stay on one side too long my arms and hands fall asleep, if I lay on my back the pressure on my neck and head gives me a tingling sensation that keeps me awake.
Just like bev62 said, you are in the very early stages of this problem. I was told it can take up to 18 months to find out the full affects of the surgery. Eat high a protein diet, take extra calcuim, stay away from smoking or anyone who smokes, and most of all keep moving.
I wish I could follow my own advise, but I found all this info on my own. My doctor told me nothing! You might even want to check to see if your doctor will give you a bone stimulator (you where this device around your neck and it sends electric pulses to stimulate bone growth - found this out from this website.)
Keep your doctor updated on any new changes and if you don't feel right, demand more tests.
I wish you the best of luck and keep us updated on your progress. Would love to know if your fusion works for you.
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178107 tn?1315947630
I had the exact same surgery in Nov 2006. I have never been able to return to work. I am in constant pain.  I've almost lost use of my right arm and hand.  The left one is now bothering me also.  The fusion has caused stress and inflamation on the disks above and below.  I have permenent nerve damage and the doctors say there is nothing else they can do at this time.  I will eventually need more fusions.  

You are in the very early stages of healing and as the nerves heal they can make things feel really weird.  I did a lot of research on this surgery before I had it and the success rate is very high.  My results are not common.  My doctor said that about 3% of his patients end up with chronic pain and the problems that I have, but most people do very well.  It takes about a year to fully heal from this surgery.

I wish I could have had the artificial disk done, but my injury was due to a workers comp accident which they would have never approved and from what I've read they want do the artificial disks on multi-levels.

Just hang in there you still have a lot of healing to do.  Good luck and I wish you the best.
Helpful - 0
732386 tn?1231705098
Hi, I have the doctor trying to fuse the same vertebrae on me, and I don't want it.  It would only take two artificial discs to fix it, and a little trimming and he wants to fuse me.  Just like that. Never met the guy, just talked to me a little after seeing my pictures from my mri, which admittedly are very scarey looking. Bone spurs, crushed disc, numb arms and flashing electricity fire pain in my hands.  Plus an old break in my neck I didn't know I had.   I am scared of having the fusion because of reports like yours. Please keep posted, so you can help me decide what to do.  

As it is now, I am afraid to do anything physical, because no one will tell me what will happen if I am in danger of messing something up royally if I move too much, which makes me so depressed and feeling worthless.  

I need advice also.

Thanks.  K
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