ACDF Revision Surgery

[kujo85]

I had ACDF and Artificial disc implant surgery back in April of 2009. My CT AScan shows that i haven't fused completely and i'm still in a lot of pain with finger numbness and pins and needles. Have been having really nasty headaches at the base of my skull as well.

Saw a new surgeon and he says i need to have a posterior surgery with a plate and screws as well as having my bone spurs shaved. Then i went back to my original surgeon and he told me everything is fine with my fusion and that this surgery is pointless. I'm really confused now and i don't know what to do. I'm in a lot of pain and i just want it to stop.

Here is part of my CT report:

Impression:
1) At C5-6 and C6-7 levels, there has been an anterior fusion procedure. There are a few small areas of bridging bone, as described. However, a majority of the disk space does remain visualized.

2) Uncovertebral osteophyte formation resulting in moderate to severe degree of foraminal stenosis bilaterally at C5-6 and moderately at C6-7.

3) Satisfactory appearance of artificial disk at C4-5.

4) Congenitally small spinal canal.

5) Moderate right foraminal stenosis at C3-4 with truncation of the nerve root sleeve on CT myelographic images.

If anyone could help me i would be grateful.

[Dr_Nassim]

good luck, thats true that the decision is not standard and traight forward, they should personalize and remodel a solution for you, OTHERWISE DO A SIMPLE LAMINECTOMY  [[SIMPLE POSTERIOR APPROACH]]

[kujo85]

Thanks for the reply. Guess I need to go see another surgeon. I've been going to really well respected people and I don't know who to believe anymore.

[Dr_Nassim]

I am sorry in advance, because my opinion will not be for any of the 2 surgeons. what you need is a reopening over the C5-C6 disc space, removal of the implanted cage and a FORAMINOTOMY procedure, PLUS a posterior laminectomy without screws may be prefered to widden the canal a little bit. finally this hard case and hard decision necessitate an image of your neck otherwise a final opinion could not be subsigned by me