Afraid of surgery

[lisasmom]

I am 44 years old and have experienced pain for quite some time but now I have numbness and weekness so I went to Dr and now am sceduled for surgery.The surgery is fusion at c4-5,c5-6 and c6-7 with possiable corpectomy  at c5 Im very afraid and would be greatful for any advice.  Risk? Recovery time?ect.

[ADSF]

I had a one level cervical fusion (c5-6) and I will be out of work for a total of 9 weeks.   My doc said that some people are able to go back at 6 weeks, or even a little  sooner, but I would expect at least 6 weeks of doing not much, esp since you are having 3 levels done.   I started doing some minor range of motion stretching after three weeks.   For the first three weeks, I really didn't do anything, no dishes, no cleaning, only very light food preparation (like making a pb&j).  I only left the house to go the three steps to my mailbox, and to go to the doc.  Just take the time to rest and heal.   I agree that exercise is important.   Even if you can just go for a short walk and do some easy stretching.  

The tough thing for you will be driving.   With my one level fusion, it took me about 4 weeks to be able to turn my head far enough to the side to feel safe driving.  Even then, I only went places a short distance from my house.   With your surgery, you will have greater restriction in your range of motion, so it might be a while before you can drive.    Get used to turning your whole body when you are backing up or looking to the right or left for traffic.  

I have had a few issues with pain since the surgery, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.   I still have some pre-surgery pain, but I was taking at least 6 percocets a day before the surgery, and still had about an 8-9 on the pain scale every single day.   Now, I take about 1 vicodin a day, and am at about a 4.    Big improvement in my quality of life.  

Good luck with the surgery, and remember to take it easy and not try to push your body too hard, but do get up and move a little if you can.  

[paulfnz]

I have fusion and fixation of C2-C4,a Corpectomy at C5 ( Dec 2000),with soon another operation of fusion of C6-C7.I am not a doctor,but sounds like you may require surgery.1.Recovery time?.even though people go through " similar" operations,it seems everyone goes through different recovery,and recovery times....excercise is very important,doesn't matter how small, just do something. 2.Risks..when dealing with this type of operation,the word " risk" is part and parcel for the operation.We way up the risk also of not taking ( the operation ) also.Hope this helps.