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ACDF - plate or no plate ?
I have a moderate c6-c7 herniation pressing on the left nerve root. My left tricep is weak, atrophying, as is my left pec. Two neurosurgeons are recommending ACDF. One uses a plate and screws to keep it all in place while the bones fuse; the other does not use the plate. Any opinions on this ?
sorry to hear of your pain and suffering. i had an acdf on 3-4,4-5,and 5-6.. in 2007.Been miserable ever since. They scared me at the hospital, t Im on medicare,Tn care.herefore I agreed to what they chose. Titanium plate and 6 6in screws that dig on my spinal nerves. Pain meds help a little, but getting them here in Tn is hard. I cry all nite and just Pray for sleep. Last week I went to ER, two times with no help from them. I had been awake 14 days in pain and was in one big knot with sweating on my head and neck. Most of the drs. are like Kwickie Marts. No Help. Semmes in tn almost gave me an epidural in my neck!!! Then they caled and said, "well you would quit breathing so nevermind. I also have spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and a deteriorating spinal cord.HELP ME GOD!
Hi again,
I am not having the test this wk.,due to stress and a severe tooth abcess and infection.I haven't heard from you and would like your opinion. I know I have back and neck issues,but do I have to have this particular test first because it really almost killed me. I am so scared to death. I do have it scheduled for next wk.,but feel it is too soon due to infection that is in my body. I feel like I am already dying of something.I don't know what it is,but I feel I need to see an oncologist or something. I had made one back in'03 when all of this started, but wound up for some reason not going. I am just sad right now and have some things happen today that have made me really depressed. What a b-day I have had. My mom and dad had found a snake in their house and earlier I feel asleep at the comp. and I have a goose egg on my forehead and sore and bruised place all over my body. I guess I need the test if I'm ever going to get to the bottom of what is wrong w/me,it is just hard after those Spinal Tap headache pains that you don't forget and I had it for a wk.I was so far from my doc..I just live so far from Specialist and have a doc here that misses more for work than his patients get to see him(egagerated just a little bit,but he does miss a lot and I have to reschedule a lot).I am sorry I wrote this post..I feel I have wasted your time..just depressed and in pain. I don't know what to do,but cry and I already have a headache. My older son didn't even call me for my B/day. My dad called him to tell him how sick I was,but he doesn't believe it and I know why. It's because his dad and step has told him otherwise,they don't want him to have anything to do w/me anymore. They have taken my son completely away now. I used to have some time w/him that helped me muddle through.Now, I haven't talked w'him for so long I can't remember when it was. I think it was in May and he told me not to call him again that he didn't need me. Dr. do you know how hard that is? It makes a person hurt to the core and you never get over it. It weighs on you day and night.I am going to go for now. Just woke up at 4:00 am,it's really a surprise..I don't get but 4 hrs. a day due to my neck or back or both. I just want to say we need people like you to help us keep going. Just to talk it out.Believe it after my son being gone for 10yrs.,I have never gone to a Phyciatrist..if that is how you spell it. Just please get back to me @ the test anyway...your input.What is the main thing that a Myleogram is used for. I think I have a leak somewhere..I think after that last nerve block(ESI),they hit my spinal cord because I jumped on table. It was like my whole body under electric shock. It left me w/numb hands and feet right then and they are still here. That was Dec.26th,'06 and I still have the numbness. Couldn't the dye in the MYLEOGRAM leak out in that puncture wound in there? I believe that is what happened the first time I had one of test. This is what is so scarey. Anyway, I am really going this time. You take care and get back to me or would any doc that would know the answer to this Q. HELP ....Karen
I am not having the test this wk.,due to stress and a severe tooth abcess and infection.I haven't heard from you and would like your opinion. I know I have back and neck issues,but do I have to have this particular test first because it really almost killed me. I am so scared to death. I do have it scheduled for next wk.,but feel it is too soon due to infection that is in my body. I feel like I am already dying of something.I don't know what it is,but I feel I need to see an oncologist or something. I had made one back in'03 when all of this started, but wound up for some reason not going. I am just sad right now and have some things happen today that have made me really depressed. What a b-day I have had. My mom and dad had found a snake in their house and earlier I feel asleep at the comp. and I have a goose egg on my forehead and sore and bruised place all over my body. I guess I need the test if I'm ever going to get to the bottom of what is wrong w/me,it is just hard after those Spinal Tap headache pains that you don't forget and I had it for a wk.I was so far from my doc..I just live so far from Specialist and have a doc here that misses more for work than his patients get to see him(egagerated just a little bit,but he does miss a lot and I have to reschedule a lot).I am sorry I wrote this post..I feel I have wasted your time..just depressed and in pain. I don't know what to do,but cry and I already have a headache. My older son didn't even call me for my B/day. My dad called him to tell him how sick I was,but he doesn't believe it and I know why. It's because his dad and step has told him otherwise,they don't want him to have anything to do w/me anymore. They have taken my son completely away now. I used to have some time w/him that helped me muddle through.Now, I haven't talked w'him for so long I can't remember when it was. I think it was in May and he told me not to call him again that he didn't need me. Dr. do you know how hard that is? It makes a person hurt to the core and you never get over it. It weighs on you day and night.I am going to go for now. Just woke up at 4:00 am,it's really a surprise..I don't get but 4 hrs. a day due to my neck or back or both. I just want to say we need people like you to help us keep going. Just to talk it out.Believe it after my son being gone for 10yrs.,I have never gone to a Phyciatrist..if that is how you spell it. Just please get back to me @ the test anyway...your input.What is the main thing that a Myleogram is used for. I think I have a leak somewhere..I think after that last nerve block(ESI),they hit my spinal cord because I jumped on table. It was like my whole body under electric shock. It left me w/numb hands and feet right then and they are still here. That was Dec.26th,'06 and I still have the numbness. Couldn't the dye in the MYLEOGRAM leak out in that puncture wound in there? I believe that is what happened the first time I had one of test. This is what is so scarey. Anyway, I am really going this time. You take care and get back to me or would any doc that would know the answer to this Q. HELP ....Karen
Hello Dr.,
I was so interested in what u said. I have the Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. I am so miserable and suffer on a day to day basis. I have been told by one dr. that I didn't even need my surgery and another one that a screw was placed in an opening right on top of a nerve. I can hardly be touched because my skin and even my head has sensitivity issues.The dr. that told me that I need them removed has had over 800+hrs. of Neuropathy,so I believe him.I have a hard time swallowing and things get stuck in my throat..even my meds.My PCP has me on Fentanyl Patch(50mcg),Norco10/325,Lyrica 200mg.2x a day, Zanax 1mg.,in which I hate to take,but I am alergic or something to fexeril and can't take it.I hate having to be on so much med. and it only takes away half of the pain. I am very careful @ my meds. I only take them as directed and sometimes I chase my pain(if that is what they call it when u don't take enough or on time). I just want relief not revenge like malp..if I wanted that I would have filed a claim and It has been since '06 since my surgery.I went back to my Neuro. and told him what the other dr.'s said and he said everything is fine and I just needed to go see a Neurologist and he even asked to make sure which one. You won't believe when I did he didn't even act the same as he did the first time I saw him..he was hands on and this time he stayed in my room 1 min. and didn't get close to me at all.(the two dr.'s are around the corner from one another).He,the Neurologist said "there is nothing wrong w/your surgery"and the thing @ that is I didn't mention anything @ it.Apparently I have something serious going on and dont know what to do...HELP.. I suffer so much that I can't do anything,but lay in bed and get fat. I used to perform in Nashville at Opryland USA(a theme park) and even worked at the Nashville Network. I am a singer and writer..I used to play my Ovation guitar,but now it's just dusty.Now, I feel depressed because of my pain because he won't do anything @ it. Is there anything I can do? My husband is so great and patient because he stands by me and helps me and so does our son. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Take care and hope to hear from you soon..oh...one more thing I am seeing a new Neuro. and have had a CT Scan on head and neck and also EMG's on arms and legs and he now wants to order a Myleogram. I had one of those and it almost killed me so I don't want to have it done. I had spinal tap headache for a wk.,vomiting for 15+ hrs. and my husband rushed me back when he saw I was white as a sheet. They done a bloodpatch and everything back to normal,but I want to refuse to have it done again. What should I do?Is there any other test that can be done next besides that one?Please say yes..I don't think I can do it again. Is there any way that I could be allergic or something. The hospital told me that I could get up because I had to go to bathroom. Was it that that done it? or was it something else...Thank you so much for replying to me...please do...Appreciate it so much.Take care and GOD BLESS,Karen
I was so interested in what u said. I have the Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. I am so miserable and suffer on a day to day basis. I have been told by one dr. that I didn't even need my surgery and another one that a screw was placed in an opening right on top of a nerve. I can hardly be touched because my skin and even my head has sensitivity issues.The dr. that told me that I need them removed has had over 800+hrs. of Neuropathy,so I believe him.I have a hard time swallowing and things get stuck in my throat..even my meds.My PCP has me on Fentanyl Patch(50mcg),Norco10/325,Lyrica 200mg.2x a day, Zanax 1mg.,in which I hate to take,but I am alergic or something to fexeril and can't take it.I hate having to be on so much med. and it only takes away half of the pain. I am very careful @ my meds. I only take them as directed and sometimes I chase my pain(if that is what they call it when u don't take enough or on time). I just want relief not revenge like malp..if I wanted that I would have filed a claim and It has been since '06 since my surgery.I went back to my Neuro. and told him what the other dr.'s said and he said everything is fine and I just needed to go see a Neurologist and he even asked to make sure which one. You won't believe when I did he didn't even act the same as he did the first time I saw him..he was hands on and this time he stayed in my room 1 min. and didn't get close to me at all.(the two dr.'s are around the corner from one another).He,the Neurologist said "there is nothing wrong w/your surgery"and the thing @ that is I didn't mention anything @ it.Apparently I have something serious going on and dont know what to do...HELP.. I suffer so much that I can't do anything,but lay in bed and get fat. I used to perform in Nashville at Opryland USA(a theme park) and even worked at the Nashville Network. I am a singer and writer..I used to play my Ovation guitar,but now it's just dusty.Now, I feel depressed because of my pain because he won't do anything @ it. Is there anything I can do? My husband is so great and patient because he stands by me and helps me and so does our son. Any help would be greatly appreciated.Take care and hope to hear from you soon..oh...one more thing I am seeing a new Neuro. and have had a CT Scan on head and neck and also EMG's on arms and legs and he now wants to order a Myleogram. I had one of those and it almost killed me so I don't want to have it done. I had spinal tap headache for a wk.,vomiting for 15+ hrs. and my husband rushed me back when he saw I was white as a sheet. They done a bloodpatch and everything back to normal,but I want to refuse to have it done again. What should I do?Is there any other test that can be done next besides that one?Please say yes..I don't think I can do it again. Is there any way that I could be allergic or something. The hospital told me that I could get up because I had to go to bathroom. Was it that that done it? or was it something else...Thank you so much for replying to me...please do...Appreciate it so much.Take care and GOD BLESS,Karen
Hi there,
I know exactly how u feel. I already have the ACDF w/titanium plates and there are screws or should I say I have been screwed. I am sorry that was rude, but true. It is something u need to research on before u have the surgery. I was told that I had a 50/50 chance of being in a wheelchair,but since that day my life has gone completely downhill. Well, The Lord has turned it around a bit and helped me w/my pain. It seemed to be great right after the surgery though and I really thought I'd be fine,but that was just a dream and now it's a nightmare. I had pain at first in my right arm and visited Semmes Murphy out of Memphis,TN...yes I said it and I would warn anyone who goes there to beware of what is told for you to do...get a second opinion and I would let them do my surgery not SM.Anyway,I wound up there SM for 9 out of 11mos.and received pain meds,but no other help to relieve my pain. I didn't want pain meds,I wanted to well.I am young and have two young boys to take care of and that makes things very hard. I wouldn't recomment the fusion though. There is another way I have heard of and wished I had got in on it. It is where you'd have mobility instead of stiffness/ It is where u get a rotating disc and I can't think of the name of it,but I do know a website that I think does it(laser spine institute) and they have a website..just put the words together and put .com and u have it. It is located in Florida. I am thinking @ going myself and redoing mine because they actually put a screw in an opening right on a nerve so I am miserable. I have now DDD,Spinal Stenosis,and a list of debilitating dx. Also, whatever you do don't get ESI's(Epidural Steroid Injections)because they struck my spinal cord and now I even have nerve damage and chronic pain...I'll be okay even though it is very hard sometime.Like tonight I got ready for church and it was hard enough,but after I got there had to stay in car because of suffering so much. I did get to take the Lord's supper because my son brought it out to the car for me. He is my little light. A good son.He takes care of me so much.
I just happen to run accross this so I think it was a sign that I write to you to offer any kind of advice that I can.I will say a prayer for you...for I know that u are in pain. So,u take care of yourself and make sure to get that second opinion ...k and I will check back on this site or I will add you to my watch list to keep up w/what u decided to do.
GOD BLESS ...Karen
I know exactly how u feel. I already have the ACDF w/titanium plates and there are screws or should I say I have been screwed. I am sorry that was rude, but true. It is something u need to research on before u have the surgery. I was told that I had a 50/50 chance of being in a wheelchair,but since that day my life has gone completely downhill. Well, The Lord has turned it around a bit and helped me w/my pain. It seemed to be great right after the surgery though and I really thought I'd be fine,but that was just a dream and now it's a nightmare. I had pain at first in my right arm and visited Semmes Murphy out of Memphis,TN...yes I said it and I would warn anyone who goes there to beware of what is told for you to do...get a second opinion and I would let them do my surgery not SM.Anyway,I wound up there SM for 9 out of 11mos.and received pain meds,but no other help to relieve my pain. I didn't want pain meds,I wanted to well.I am young and have two young boys to take care of and that makes things very hard. I wouldn't recomment the fusion though. There is another way I have heard of and wished I had got in on it. It is where you'd have mobility instead of stiffness/ It is where u get a rotating disc and I can't think of the name of it,but I do know a website that I think does it(laser spine institute) and they have a website..just put the words together and put .com and u have it. It is located in Florida. I am thinking @ going myself and redoing mine because they actually put a screw in an opening right on a nerve so I am miserable. I have now DDD,Spinal Stenosis,and a list of debilitating dx. Also, whatever you do don't get ESI's(Epidural Steroid Injections)because they struck my spinal cord and now I even have nerve damage and chronic pain...I'll be okay even though it is very hard sometime.Like tonight I got ready for church and it was hard enough,but after I got there had to stay in car because of suffering so much. I did get to take the Lord's supper because my son brought it out to the car for me. He is my little light. A good son.He takes care of me so much.
I just happen to run accross this so I think it was a sign that I write to you to offer any kind of advice that I can.I will say a prayer for you...for I know that u are in pain. So,u take care of yourself and make sure to get that second opinion ...k and I will check back on this site or I will add you to my watch list to keep up w/what u decided to do.
GOD BLESS ...Karen
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
Anterior cervical plating has numerous benefits if done as a supportive measure to Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). It provides a firm fixation, prevents graft settling and resulting development of sectional kyphosis, promotes higher fusion rates, allows for less bothersome external immobilization, and decreases the risk and incidence of graft extrusion. However, anterior plating also has potential risks and complications: it adds to time and cost of the surgery, and makes revision anterior surgery more troublesome if the plate needs be removed. Additionally there are a number of implant-related complications that may occur with plating, such as loose plates and screws resulting in esophageal erosion, peri-plate ossification screw injuries to adjacent discs, nerve roots, vertebral artery or spinal cord.
Please discuss these possibilities with the neurosurgeons and decide on the treatment plan. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!
Anterior cervical plating has numerous benefits if done as a supportive measure to Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). It provides a firm fixation, prevents graft settling and resulting development of sectional kyphosis, promotes higher fusion rates, allows for less bothersome external immobilization, and decreases the risk and incidence of graft extrusion. However, anterior plating also has potential risks and complications: it adds to time and cost of the surgery, and makes revision anterior surgery more troublesome if the plate needs be removed. Additionally there are a number of implant-related complications that may occur with plating, such as loose plates and screws resulting in esophageal erosion, peri-plate ossification screw injuries to adjacent discs, nerve roots, vertebral artery or spinal cord.
Please discuss these possibilities with the neurosurgeons and decide on the treatment plan. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!
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