loss of voice

[Joek160]

Inapril I had C456 Fused.  Since the fusion I have had throat problems.  It feels like something is wrapped around my throat restricking my throat.  I also start to lose my voice late in the day,  It seems like the more I talk the worse it gets.  I seen an ear,nose and throat Dr. and he scoped my throat.  He said that the plate from the fusion is pushing on my throat and has taken up the room that the vocal cords need and that they get inflamed.  He feels the plate should be removed for it will cause more problem later.  Is this true and if so is there any other options?

[noneck]

Moving the thread up.

[toolmaker]

Thanks for your info noneck, I have wondered about all your surgerys for a while.

[noneck]

It's a long story but I'll try to make it short. I have coined a new disorder it's not just DDD for me it's RPDDD (rapid progressive DDD). My first surgery (C5/6) in 1991 was a complete success. In 1994 I severely ruptured C6/7 and required another fusion, it was a complete failure from the start. It was redone in 1996 with a plate and was successful. Then my neck got a break because my low back was causing problems. The surgery was just a laminectomy (L5/S1) and did not help at all. In 2000 it was redone with a fusion and was a success. My low back is not pain free but I can live with it easily. Then in 2001 my neck was at it again and I ruptured the C4/5 which required another fusion because there was a severe stenosis in the spinal canal with cord compression. I thought that was fused OK until in 20004. I'm back at the Dr's. and found it did not fuse and I had another level C3/4 ruptured. I had it redone in two stages they redone the bad fusion and added the new level C3/4, then the next day they fused and wired the back of my neck with wires from C3 thru C5. Started having problems again and found that the last surgery fused in the front but not the back. This time I required what they call a total neck reconstruction to repair the last surgery. This surgery added the new level in the front T1/2 he skipped C7/T1 because it fused by it's self and the T1/2 level was found to be bad during surgery so he fused that level. Then two weeks later he removed the back of my neck and installed rods from C3 thru T2 in the back of my neck. This new surgeon told me on my first visit with him, (I want to apologize for the medical system and what it has done to you, no one should have had that many surgeries and this should have been to put bed a long time ago) and asked if I was ready. Because of the large fusion I was at risk of a simple slip and fall and I could break my neck and it would paralyze me if not kill me because of the level he thought it would break. Three Dr's. agreed about this so I had no choice, I would rather be in pain than a wheel chair and a burden to my family, they been through enough with me! About my voice it sounds like I am horse also but it's not getting better after 3 months, so I'm not holding my breath that it will get better. Dr's. still think it and could take up to a year, yea right! My family is getting the benefit with my voice also I can't get excited and or raise my voice so everybody gets a break from my opinions. hahahahah. Tell me more details about your surgeries the levels involved, pain experienced, etc.... Your in southern ca. look for Dr. Petraglia or go to gotpaindocs.com he is the best pain Dr. I have ever had, he has connections and can direct you to the right surgeon. My total spine surgeries add up to 10 now!!!!!! I believe this happened because my surgeon that did the first five surgeries because he didn't believe I could be that bad, like I was telling him. He was more interested in undermining my W/C claim. He accused me of being a fraud, my reply to him was do you operate on people five times when they are a fraud. The W/C comp. attorney for the insurance carrier came over to tell me they never believed that Dr. and new I wasn't a fraud but was trying to figure out which co. is going to pay you. That's why it was such a problem. I was finally awarded a settlement from W/C, and my SSDI was awarded also, along with my union pension so it all worked out in the long run. Spine surgery has improved greatly since 1991 and today this would never happen. So if your reading this don't think this will happen to you, I am a exception and one of a kind.

hope I explained it OK

[justmomrapp]

Wow - why 6 surgeries? fusion problems? I have had 2 unsuccessful fusion waitng to see what the surgeon wants to do next. I lost my voice (maybe or like horse) of the first day, but everything is back to normal. Secretly I think my kids wish if wouldn't come back :)  

[noneck]

I have the same thing except my voice is gone, completely. I've had six surgeries to the front of the neck. I have had plates installed and removed and it could be part of the problem. Mine has a lot of scar tissue from the surgeries, it is actually constricting my throat and have problems swallowing. I have had it stertched out before but this last time it did not help. The doctors say it can take a year for my voice to come back. I'm not holding my breath on that, because of all the surgeries to my throat. If you come up with any answers let me know.

Hope I Helped