Herinated disc C3, C5, weakness and pain what I should know about surgery.

I am a work comp case, I finally had a second opinion. The neurosurgeon wants to do fusion with bone, metal plate and screws. I don't want a fusion since all I have ever heard is it is more surgery in the future due to the stress on the above disc and below. I was very active and I love manual labor, now I have been told no lifting over 10 lbs., avoid a lot of bending, twisting ect. I have pain from my neck down my shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, weakness, and at times hyper sensitive, and numbness. I am in my mid 40's, and was told this is Moderate, and surgery is based on symptons. They told me that I could be paralyzed if I have a bad fall or wreck. My pain wakes me up at times, but I have a high tolerance to pain, I rarely take pain meds. I want my life back and don't want my weakness to become worse, they told me surgery is the only way to fix it. Anterior herination cutting into my spinal cord, curious if I wouldn't be better with a disc replacement. What is the down side to disc replacement do they even now yet. Will work comp even cover a disc replacement, can I even wait or will I get worse.

[bev62]

I had a two level cervical fusion (C5-C7) due to ruptured disks. It was also a workers comp case. After my fall I was sent to PT for 6 months before they decided I had a torn rotator cuff. I had surgery on my shoulder but continued to be in pain. They then decided I had ulnar nerve intrapment and then did surgery on my elbow.  The pain in my neck, shoulder, arm and hand continued. Finally they did a MRI on my neck and discovered the ruptured disks. After having the surgery I'm in more pain than before and like you said, the disks above and below are now herniated and will eventually require more surgery.  I was never able to return to work and I am now on disability.  I was 45 when this all started and had a very normal active life.  My doctor says that if I would have had the fusion when the accident first happened I probably would be fine, but with the delays of the misdiagnosis and waiting on workers comp to approve everything I have permenant nerve damage.I am in pain management and trying to deal with the chronic pain I will live with for the rest of my life.  
Some people have had great success with having this surgery, but I'm sorry to say it didn't happen for me.  When I had my surgery they would not do a disk replacement on multi levels, it may have changed now.  Good luck with dealing with workers comp, that was a nightmare. I highly recommend getting an attorney to help with your case. The longer you put the surgery off the worse it may become. Good luck.

[Thorr]

I have an attorney, and like you said work comp is a nightmare. I had to fight just to get a second opinion. I was also misdiagnosed at first since the nerve pain felt worse in my elbow then in my neck. They did x-rays and saw nothing wrong with my elbow, but they should have done a MRI or CT. They sent me to PT for the elbow pain and that made the pain worse it moved from just being the elbow to neck, shoulder, hand. Then I was diagnosed with the herniated disc. They sent me to there work comp surgeon who said the MRI means nothing and I am fine its just age. I read the MRI is said herniated disc at C3, C5 it didn't say degeneration or age related. I was told I could do anything I was fine. Released  to go back to work, but I was terminated and told it was voluntary quit on my behalf. I loved my job, I wouldn't have quit. I decided to go back to school, but had to drop out of my school due to the pain, and not being able to concentrate. I have to say that my PT for the neck really helped while I was getting it. The manual traction and massage made the pain in my elbow, hand, shoulder go away for a while I could even sleep.

[Thorr]

Thanks, I am curious did you also have a torn rotator, and was the ulnar nerve really intraped? How long ago did you have your fusion? Did you have to get an attorney for your case? I am so afraid, the pain to me most days is managed but there are times that I have to take something. The more I read the more I panic, I don't know with the economy how anyone can make it on disability. What happens when you need more surgery do you have to fight again with work comp? I appreciate your knowledge since you have already dealt with this. I read so much and it seems almost everyone has more problems after surgery. It makes me feel like maybe I should just deal with the pain. I hope in the future they will come up with something to stop your pain.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, rehabilitation is the only effective way to help the patient regain function to the possible extent and prevent from permanent losses. If rehabilitation program is appropriately instituted, most of the stroke patients can regain maximum functions with appropriate therapy, training and support services. For coordinated rehabilitation program a team of a neurologist, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and a nutritionist work together to help you in your recovery. Therefore, I would suggest following the suggestion made by them and recovery will be although slow but most of the functions may be restored. Hope this helps.

[MsMelB81]

I am 28 and having a 3 level fusion on June 2. Mines could be workers comp because of all the heavy lifting I do but unfortunetly I cant prove it happened at work so i am not ever persuing it. I had physical therapy and acupuncture now it is time for surgery since nothing else worked. I have heard the good, the bad, and the ugly from this surgery. But I also have one of the best neurosurgeons in my area!! So I am confident it is going to work.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers

[bev62]

I did have to fight workers comp, but I won. I ended up with a six figure settlement and lifetime medical from workers comp. They have to pay for anything dealing with my injuries for the rest of my life. What is your attorney saying about your case?
I did have a small tear in my rotator cuff, but the doctor said that some people go thier whole life with a small tear and it never bothers them.  My elbow was not intraped.  It has been thre and a half years since my fusion. I am now waiting for workers comp to approve a spinal cord stimulator.  
Good luck with your case.

[kay290]

Spinal compression causing your symptoms is not good and yes you can paralyse easily if you don't decompress your spine. I had ACDF in October and am doing well. My surgeon said a 20% chance of needing surgery again in 10 years or so to the other discs that the new discs put pressure on. Most likely they have to do a disc replacement to correct your problem> They usually use cadaver bone and fuse with titanium plates and screws. Where is your weakness? If your symptoms progress there is a greater liklihood of permanent disablility. That is why I had the surgery.  

An actual disc replacement is only approved in the US for one disc so depending on how many you may be able to replace one and cadaver bone for the other. It is supposed to increase mobility and cause less stess on the other discs there by preventing need for futher sugery. I do believe that anyone with herniations or DDD are at risk anyway of getting the problem later on depending on the causes.

[Thorr]

I was told they use a sterilized cadaver bone with no living tissue, titain plate, C3,C4. fusion. They said disc replacement isn't really approved yet, since all the studies aren't out yet.

[kay290]

Yes, most surgeons no longer take bone from your hip. Disc replacement is approved in the US for one disc only. Maybe, you need other opinions. You would be amazed at the different answers you will get.