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535758 tn?1213715961

Opening c6-c7, movement at c6-c7 and plate not flush ...IS THIS NORMAL

I had surgery in Nov 2009 on neck  C4-5 into first month it was fine then I went from fine to AWFUL I have badddddddddd pain ...I had a plain xray that showed a opening in disc at 6-7, plate is not flush with the c4 vertebral body and it also showed movement at c6-c7........NEXT PLAIN xray says ACDF plate is not flush with the c4 vertebral body and does show some movement with flexion at the c6-c7 space .....and she does appear to have some instability in her cervical and thoracic spine, on flextion it appears that he disc space opens at c6-c7

......THE above xrays were both on different dates and on flextion shows opening and plate not flush......a CT said completely incorporathed within the disc space however if I would not had a xray and looked down it would appear normal until I look down then it shows open space and thats when it hurts badly...........  QUESTION IS ......should plate be flush and should there be ANY opening in these disc?      I can't look down it kills me to put chin down and to lay is awful as soon as neck goes out of straight position it cause awful pain with numbness........WHAT is normal ,,,,,,,,what should I do My doctor is not being helpful at all..........I want to know why it moves and why opens when I look down and if it should do this when I look down............
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Avatar universal
I have similar problems I think???  First fusion C6.7 done in 1990 due to huge disc herniation compressing spinal cord and nerve root.   Bone used from my hip and no plates were put in.  I was completely fused in 8-10 weeks I believe and went back to work.  In 1995 ?? started once again to experience similar pain to what I had experienced prior to 1990 fusion. Had repeat MRI done in 1998 or early 1999 which  revealed C6.7 to be fused but severe stenosis at C5.6 level with cord and nerve involvement.  Had second fusion done of c5.6 in late 1999 or early 2000 and to this date I still have only a partial fusion at the c5.6 level.  I don't suffer from any plates not lining up as I never had plates put in but I can tell you this.  The burning pain after sitting in one position such as looking at a computer monitor for more than 10-15 minutes at a time is more than I can handle without bringing me to tears.  

I have been told that the burning is related to nerve pain but haven't really received any type of pain management that has been successful.  I will let you know what, if any, answers I get to relieve pain and possible future surgeries that may help with the pain.  

Need to sign off now due to the burning and the fact my arms and hands are very weak making it hard for me to continue typing.   Take care and keep posting for me and others.


sincerely,  Linda from PDX Oregon
Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
Hi Wendy,

Am I correct is assuming that you had a cervical fusion? You have asked a good question and I am afraid one I cannot answer with any certainty.

On one hand I would think that there should be some movement however if you have a fusion than my understanding of that procedure is that there should be no movement of the fused area at all. I'm sorry I just am not certain what "normal" is in your situation.

I am hoping that one of our members can respond to your inquiry with better information.

I would be assertive and respectfully demand answers. If your physician is still not willing to be helpful that I encourage you to seek another opinion. It's your body and you deserve to know what is going on with it. It makes one wonder if the physician or surgeon have something to hide.

I hope at the very least that your "bad" pain is being treated. If it is not request medication that will manage your pain at least until you have answers and/or correction of the condition.

I wish you the very best and hope that you will keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

Take Care,
~Tuck
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