C5/C6 PROTRUSION/BULDGE

Last year I was paralyzed for 10 days due to rupture of C7/T1. Had discectomy w/ fusion-installed plate and screws at the sight. Paralysis lasted for 10 days after surgery. Loss of "some" motor on the left side (chest down) and all sensory loss on the right side (chest down), along with perpherial neuropathy of my right foot. MRI last Tuesday shows Protrusion at C5/C6 into the right side of spinal cord. I am in no pain outside of the burning on rt foot. The concern is that there was no prior back injury, nor was there any warning when C7/T1 "blew up" and rendered me a parapalegic. What are the risks of C5/C6 surgery? If I am in no pain now, is there a possibility that I could have pain after-or significant change in use of arms and fingers? What is the "down time" for this surgery? I was up and on a walker on day 11 with 1st surgery! Any help will be greatly appreaciated

[vickiweath]

I had c5/c6 fusion with autograft last year. I was allowed home the day after surgery. I was on painkillers but was up and about. I have to say long term this hasn't done me any favours BUT the unbearable and excruciating arm pain that I had before the fusion is not as bad - and I am not a paraplegic which I would have been without the surgery as I was losing control of my bladder and legs. The prolapse was compressing the spinal cord in a major way! However, the downside of this has been that I now suffer from permanent neurological problems from the damage that the prolapsed disc has done. Every surgery has risks and I think that you just have to weigh them up.
It is only since the surgery that I have found to have DDD, with degenerate discs both above and below the fusion and elsewhere. Before this I was a dancer, very fit and active and enjoyed life to the full.
Just be aware of the risks and benefits. Life is crappy but I can still manage a crawl and on a bad day I walk with a stick - but... I still walk!

[conisr]

Thanks for sharing.  I am hoping to get some more feedback, as this surgery does seem to happen more often than I had previously thought. I praise God everyday for giving me my legs back...no matter how they function!!