Anterior Cervical Discectomy

[sunshine2008]

I am a 18 year old female and I was  involved in a car accident in March 2007. I was at a complete stop and and two cars rear-ended me( the 1st car that hit me.....their car was totaled and the one behind was messed up)..No matter what i do the pain is always there, most of my pain is in the center of my spine and the left side of my upperback and middleback area.The left side of that area gets numb and tingly. I've had 8 MRI'S(3 cervical, 3thoracic, 1 lumbar, 1 sacral). I was told I have 3 cervical bulging disks and one thoracic bulging disk. I was given a variety of pain meds,muscles relaxers, and anti-inflammatories(Nothing worked). I went to physical therapy for 2-3 months but was discharged because they told me they couldn't help me any longer. I did ultrasound therapy,traction,exercises,stretching,tens units, 1 adjustment and massages.I recieves 3 trigger point injections in May.I then started seeing a neurologist and had an EMG and NCV study and both came back normal. I then recieved 4 cortisone injections and it didnt work. After my orthopedic said he couldn't help me anymore he referred me to pain management. I recieved an cervical epidural on Septmber 21st...... and that didnt work either(that doctor told me after the 3rd epidural that i would need surgery).I did not go through with anymore epidurals because my parents wanted another opinion. After a year and a half in pain, and seeing numerous doctors(10).....I am very close to solving the mystery. The most recent doctor showed me in some x-rays I took last weeks that my cervical disks are very unstable...meaning when I bend the disks move with me...which is not suppose to happen. He suggested a discogram to pinpoint the pain and to see see there was actual leaking in my disks.I had the discogram procedure and it revealed I have a herniated disk at c5-6 an annular tear c6-7. Has anyone had success with an Anterior Cervical Disectomy?

[bev62]

I did have some PT, but it was just heat, ice, tens unit and ultra sound. It didn't really help and most of it I could have done at home.  I wish they had done some massage because my neck muscles were so tight which has caused terrible headaches.

[sunshine2008]

Did anybody do rehab post-op?

[richmill1]

I had c5-7 acdf...6 months post op..I know 5 guys who had it as well..see the neurosurgeon (or 2) this is usually pretty routine..most of the folks in this forum are here because of unusual problems..good luck

[nancy911]

I had an anterior cervical fusion of c4/5, 5/6, 6/7 four years ago and I have been very happy with the results.  I had been in 24/7 excruciating pain prior to the surgery.  Other than some post-op pain that goes away I haven't that kind of pain since.  I am only now experiencing some tingling in my arms, but it is due to another level having a prolapsed disc.  My advice is to get several opinions and make sure you are completely at ease with your neurosurgeon or orthopaedic spine surgeon.  Check their credentials.

[sunshine2008]

comments?

[sunshine2008]

Thanks for the replies. I am definitely doing my research. The only things I can't decide is if I should use an orthopedic or a neurosurgeon and to have fusion with the surgery. My doctor didn't say anything about having fusion, but the research that I have been doing shows that maybe I should strongly consider that option.

"Discectomy alone is usually only used for younger patients (20 to 45 years old) whose symptoms are from herniation of the disc. But some surgeons think discectomy should always be combined with fusion of the bones above and below. They are concerned that the empty space where the disc was removed may eventually collapse and fill in with bone. Inserting a bone block during fusion surgery helps keep pressure off the spinal nerves because the graft widens the neural foramina. The neural foramina are openings on each side of the vertebrae where nerves exit the spinal canal. Most research on discectomy by itself shows good short-term benefits compared to discectomy with fusion. But more information is needed about whether the long-term results are equally as good."

How was the recovery after the surgery and did you do rehab?

[bev62]

I had an ACDF (C5-C7) two years ago.  I've been in worse pain than I was prior to surgery ever since.  There's no explaination to why I'm in so much pain except my NS said that a small precent of people are left with chronic pain afterwards and I also have nerve damage.  I researched this surgery for months before I had it done. And the success rate was very good.  Everyone that I talked to that either had the surgery or knew someone that had was very positive about it.  But that's my luck to end up in pain management and probably having more surgery.  

It sounds as if you have tried everything else with no relief.  Even though the surgery didn't help me, lots of people have had success and are now living a normal life without pain.  You are very young and that may be an advantage.  It's a good idea to get a second or even a third opinion before going thru a surgery like this.  Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going.

[40smama]

I had surgery for instability in the cervical spine.  The surgery was 10 years ago in October.  It was quite extensive fusing the top of a surgical opening in my skull to C5.  I also had a discectomy years previous (probably anterior).  It was much higher than the areas where you're having trouble & it was successful.  I suggest you see a neurosurgeon to explore your options as you've seemed to have exhausted a lot of other things.