Cervical Fusion

[elai_sevilla]

Hi! I was advised to undergo Cervical fusion of c4-c5. I have consulted several doctors whether to have it operated or not but all of them suggested the same for me to go an operation. Just to give you a history had Vehicular accident last Aug 5, 2006 at Alberta, Canada I complained of pain in the neck to 911 people but they just gave me ice then pain progressed that made me decide to go back to the philippines. After which my ortho surgeon said that there was a slight protussion and narrowing of foramen but I forgot what level was it. I undergone therapy for the past 2 years until this December of 2008 I experienced severe neck pain and tingling sensation on my right arm. Now I am willing to undergo surgey if its really needed bt i want to know if there are other options? do i really have to go on surgery? how safe it is? Im afraid of the operation i am 35 years old and im a single mom..please enlighten me..

Thank you

[elai_sevilla]

Hi DrNoopur Yeah had an MRI done and here is the impression
1. Cervical disc protrusion at c5-c6 level indenting to ventral cord
2. Posterior disc bulges at c3-4 and c4-5 levels
3. Slightly reversal cervical spine centered at c5-6
Hope you can help me understand my case better. Most of 5 surgeons i visited says I need to undergo cervical fusion. FYI i was on physical therapy from 2006 to present. They are treating me with TENS with HMP, Ultrasound, cervical traction and streching exercise. I have been so depressed since December because of too much worry about this medical problem and was also found out to have myoma which my Obgyne says that might need to be removed this april if i dont respond to the medication for i continously bleed.

Thank you so much!

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

It will help us to know if you have undergone an MRI of neck recently to ***** if the condition has progressed and to what extent.
There are many conservative options apart from physical therapy like epidural steroid injections, and nerve blocks.
Surgery becomes necessary if all the conservative treatment options have failed. The success of cervical spine surgery depends upon the general condition of patient and expertise of the operating surgeon. Therefore it is advised to select the patients for spinal surgeries carefully.

Thanks