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Framectomy? C6 - T1
by DianeS42, May 06, 2008 02:07AM
After talking to my neurosurgeon last night I am a big confused, and believe me, I have had enough surgery on my neck and back to understand most medical language, plus I worked as a coder for many years.
However, I am already fused from C2 - C6 with a plate from C3 - C5 (donor bone did not take), and this was the last of four cervical surgeries. However, as most find out, the pain does not go away even though the cervical spine is now 'stable' with no narrowing.
Because I have a neurospinal stimulator (I cannot take narcotic pain meds), I cannot have an MRI so had a CT scan instead. My surgeon called and told me that I have some narrowing at C6 - T1, and that a 'fusion' cannot be done at that level but he could do a 'framectomy' sp? He wants me to try PT first since I am a 'high risk' patient (bleeding, no veins so I have to have a central line, allergies, no pain meds, etc.). I told him that I agreed, that PT is a vast better alternative than more surgery, and I have to consider that I am now 65 yrs old! and my body has had it!
I asked him if there could possibly be problems in my thoracic area and he said that I probably had stenosis all through it since I was born with 'short pedicles' (the small bones that hold the discs in place), but only about 1% of all neurosurgery at the University is done on this area since its difficult to reach (have to go through the ribs), and bundles of nerves run throughout... I know about the nerves since I had a brachial plexus 'pull' from a fall on ice (yep, should give up that speed skating!) ;-) and I have NEVER had pain like that in my life - not even childbirth the old -fashioned way compare! It took months for that to heal... and I was left unable to sleep lying down or I get a migraine. After 5 yrs sleeping propped on the couch, I gave up and bought an elevated bed.
Anyway I have googled 'framectomy' and found NOTHING - why is this not a more used surgery? Oh, my symptoms are increased pain and weakness in my arms, pain in my neck and shoulder area, loss of feeling in hands, balance problems... I do have severe stenosis in my entire lumbar spine, and have opted NOT to have the surgery to stablilize since I was told that the pain may be even worse. I do use a walker.
Thanks -
Diane S
However, I am already fused from C2 - C6 with a plate from C3 - C5 (donor bone did not take), and this was the last of four cervical surgeries. However, as most find out, the pain does not go away even though the cervical spine is now 'stable' with no narrowing.
Because I have a neurospinal stimulator (I cannot take narcotic pain meds), I cannot have an MRI so had a CT scan instead. My surgeon called and told me that I have some narrowing at C6 - T1, and that a 'fusion' cannot be done at that level but he could do a 'framectomy' sp? He wants me to try PT first since I am a 'high risk' patient (bleeding, no veins so I have to have a central line, allergies, no pain meds, etc.). I told him that I agreed, that PT is a vast better alternative than more surgery, and I have to consider that I am now 65 yrs old! and my body has had it!
I asked him if there could possibly be problems in my thoracic area and he said that I probably had stenosis all through it since I was born with 'short pedicles' (the small bones that hold the discs in place), but only about 1% of all neurosurgery at the University is done on this area since its difficult to reach (have to go through the ribs), and bundles of nerves run throughout... I know about the nerves since I had a brachial plexus 'pull' from a fall on ice (yep, should give up that speed skating!) ;-) and I have NEVER had pain like that in my life - not even childbirth the old -fashioned way compare! It took months for that to heal... and I was left unable to sleep lying down or I get a migraine. After 5 yrs sleeping propped on the couch, I gave up and bought an elevated bed.
Anyway I have googled 'framectomy' and found NOTHING - why is this not a more used surgery? Oh, my symptoms are increased pain and weakness in my arms, pain in my neck and shoulder area, loss of feeling in hands, balance problems... I do have severe stenosis in my entire lumbar spine, and have opted NOT to have the surgery to stablilize since I was told that the pain may be even worse. I do use a walker.
Thanks -
Diane S
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