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How Many People have repeat Cevical Fusions?

I am 38 years old and I am now about 7 months post op from a three level fusion (C5-6, C6-7, C7-T1) and I have experienced repeat pain in my neck and headaches.  I have been treated with Anti-inflammatory meds and physical therapy with traction.  The meds did nothing for the pain and everything the PT department did, made things worse.  My neurosurgeon was hoping that I would get better with these options because he said it would be bad if I had problems with the above levels at this point.  What I would like to know is how many post op patients end up with further complications and further surgery?  Do repeat surgeries often happen so soon, or does it normally take some time to have problems with adjacent levels of the neck?  I am awaiting an MRI, but I am anxious because my pain is increasing and I am unable to do anything without causing discomfort.  I am back on the pain meds, but can only take it at night or when the kids are not home because it makes me sleepy.  The physical therapist believes that the neurosurgeon's first concerns of an upper level having a problem are true.  What level would cause neck pain, headaches, and shoulder pain?  Nothing works to help and I am frustrated.  Please share your experiences.  I would like an idea of what I can expect. Thank you for your help. Jo Ann
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Avatar universal
i had an operation in the 'C' section of my neck 14 months ago, an MRI showed before the op i had a crushed spinal canal from C2-T7. i had 3 discs removed from the 'C' section and replaced with bone taken from my hip, which had been made into a resin and then 2, 3 sided blocks if titanium held with 10 screws to hold and line everything back in place.  unfortunately it releived some of the symptons i was getting but has caused others. my consultant says there is nothing they can do for me except pain management. i am slowly losing feeling down my left side and now numbness down my right side to. but to add to all this i have a lumbar problem and a cyst deep in the spine which cannot be gotten to, as i live in the uk and our health system here (NHS) is going downhill fast, my GP (general practioner) says he has to follow protocols etc. so i am left in constant horrendous pain which has been going on for god knows how many years before this operation, and even strong painkillers do not even touch it anymore. i am in constant fear of ending up paralized. i totally sympathize with you all in your individual situations and hope some of you get the relief you are seeking.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i had an operation in the 'C' section of my neck 14 months ago, an MRI showed before the op i had a crushed spinal canal from C2-T7. i had 3 discs removed from the 'C' section and replaced with bone taken from my hip, which had been made into a resin and then 2, 3 sided blocks if titanium held with 10 screws to hold and line everything back in place.  unfortunately it releived some of the symptons i was getting but has caused others. my consultant says there is nothing they can do for me except pain management. i am slowly losing feeling down my left side and now numbness down my right side to. but to add to all this i have a lumbar problem and a cyst deep in the spine which cannot be gotten to, as i live in the uk and our health system here (NHS) is going downhill fast, my GP (general practioner) says he has to follow protocols etc. so i am left in constant horrendous pain which has been going on for god knows how many years before this operation, and even strong painkillers do not even touch it anymore. i am in constant fear of ending up paralized. i totally sympathize with you all in your individual situations and hope some of you get the relief you are seeking.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i had an operation in the 'C' section of my neck 14 months ago, an MRI showed before the op i had a crushed spinal canal from C2-T7. i had 3 discs removed from the 'C' section and replaced with bone taken from my hip, which had been made into a resin and then 2, 3 sided blocks if titanium held with 10 screws to hold and line everything back in place.  unfortunately it releived some of the symptons i was getting but has caused others. my consultant says there is nothing they can do for me except pain management. i am slowly losing feeling down my left side and now numbness down my right side to. but to add to all this i have a lumbar problem and a cyst deep in the spine which cannot be gotten to, as i live in the uk and our health system here (NHS) is going downhill fast, my GP (general practioner) says he has to follow protocols etc. so i am left in constant horrendous pain which has been going on for god knows how many years before this operation, and even strong painkillers do not even touch it anymore. i am in constant fear of ending up paralized. i totally sympathize with you all in your individual situations and hope some of you get the relief you are seeking.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i had an operation in the 'C' section of my neck 14 months ago, an MRI showed before the op i had a crushed spinal canal from C2-T7. i had 3 discs removed from the 'C' section and replaced with bone taken from my hip, which had been made into a resin and then 2, 3 sided blocks if titanium held with 10 screws to hold and line everything back in place.  unfortunately it releived some of the symptons i was getting but has caused others. my consultant says there is nothing they can do for me except pain management. i am slowly losing feeling down my left side and now numbness down my right side to. but to add to all this i have a lumbar problem and a cyst deep in the spine which cannot be gotten to, as i live in the uk and our health system here (NHS) is going downhill fast, my GP (general practioner) says he has to follow protocols etc. so i am left in constant horrendous pain which has been going on for god knows how many years before this operation, and even strong painkillers do not even touch it anymore. i am in constant fear of ending up paralized. i totally sympathize with you all in your individual situations and hope some of you get the relief you are seeking.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i had an operation in the 'C' section of my neck 14 months ago, an MRI showed before the op i had a crushed spinal canal from C2-T7. i had 3 discs removed from the 'C' section and replaced with bone taken from my hip, which had been made into a resin and then 2, 3 sided blocks if titanium held with 10 screws to hold and line everything back in place.  unfortunately it releived some of the symptons i was getting but has caused others. my consultant says there is nothing they can do for me except pain management. i am slowly losing feeling down my left side and now numbness down my right side to. but to add to all this i have a lumbar problem and a cyst deep in the spine which cannot be gotten to, as i live in the uk and our health system here (NHS) is going downhill fast, my GP (general practioner) says he has to follow protocols etc. so i am left in constant horrendous pain which has been going on for god knows how many years before this operation, and even strong painkillers do not even touch it anymore. i am in constant fear of ending up paralized. i totally sympathize with you all in your individual situations and hope some of you get the relief you are seeking.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i had an operation in the 'C' section of my neck 14 months ago, an MRI showed before the op i had a crushed spinal canal from C2-T7. i had 3 discs removed from the 'C' section and replaced with bone taken from my hip, which had been made into a resin and then 2, 3 sided blocks if titanium held with 10 screws to hold and line everything back in place.  unfortunately it releived some of the symptons i was getting but has caused others. my consultant says there is nothing they can do for me except pain management. i am slowly losing feeling down my left side and now numbness down my right side to. but to add to all this i have a lumbar problem and a cyst deep in the spine which cannot be gotten to, as i live in the uk and our health system here (NHS) is going downhill fast, my GP (general practioner) says he has to follow protocols etc. so i am left in constant horrendous pain which has been going on for god knows how many years before this operation, and even strong painkillers do not even touch it anymore. i am in constant fear of ending up paralized. i totally sympathize with you all in your individual situations and hope some of you get the relief you are seeking.
Helpful - 0
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