I had anterior cervical disk fussion with plating C5/C6 in July of 2003 and lamenectemy L6/S1 in Nov 2003.
Please note that everyones experience is different and the majority of these types of surgeries are succesful,however there is no such thing as a safe surgery and your Doctor should advise you of the very real possible complications.
With this said I can say that I was in the minority that did not do well. As of today I can still not work or function on a normal level and I am in almost constant pain with any type of activity. I am 42 formally very healthy/fit male.
The bone in my neck did not fuse (one end) and my lower back has been classified as failed surgery. My options are to manage with the help of a pain clinic or repeat both surgeries. I have until Jan 20th to decide. No matter what, the nerve damage I have now is permanent.
One reason I had so much nerve damage (before surgery) is because I waited until I could not raise my head or use my left arm before having surgery.
The best advice I could give you both is to have more than one opinion from two surgeons you trust. If you really need surgery do not put it off to long or permanent nerve damage is possible. Take care of yourself before and after surgery. Very inportant for the bone to fuse completly after surgery. Take extra calcium and use a device called a bone stimulater. Do not smoke, it increases your risk of non-fussion 3 fold. It takes a long time for bones to fuse so guard against any additional injury or strain.
Again, I do not wish to scare anyone but my experience can and does happen with these surgeries. I was in such constant extreme pain for six months I truly thought I would not survive.
But I am much better today and learning to cope.
I have two freinds who had the same neck surgery and they both did very well and fully recovered.
If you have any questions you think I can help you with please feel free to e-mail me: ***@****. Please use Medhelp in subject. I wish I had learned more before my surgeries. Still would have them but done things differently afterwards.
Best of luck to you both.
I had Cervical fusion at c45, c56 in July and I am still having problems, my shoulders and arms are still burning and I have lots of pain. Also I have pain in my forearm and tops of my hands could this be nerve damage? My neck muscles are still very tight and I have headaches and dizziness. Do the symptoms go away or are they here to stay> Thanks Allison
I have been advised by my docotor to have the Anterior Fusion with the bone graft. I'm very afraid and have put it off for almost a year. My pain gets worst. Will I have permanent nerve damage? Will some of the pain go away and not all? Is this surgery worth having? I hear nothing but good things, but I'm deathly afraid. Now the pain is radiating down my leg. Will I be able to runa agin after the surgery. All these things penetrate my mind. I want answers now, but know there is no certainy of anything. Anyones comments are much appreciated...
After spine surgery there your symptoms may not stop. It depends on how badly the nerves were damaged prior to surgery. The new symptoms after surgery should be discussed with your doctor. I would recommend calling the doctor's office. Without examining you I cannot determine if these symptoms are significant. Good luck.
Can you EMail me about what to expect about the same surgery that you had? I am going to have the same thing within a couple of weeks and I am a little uptight about it. Here is my EMail address. Thanks ***@**** (Tony Glover Bruceton Mills WV)