Recent disc replacement results

[IANurse]

14 months ago I had a fusion of C4-5, done by a neurosurgeon. I had fabulous results. Never even took a pain pill post-op, returned to work in 3 weeks! Left the hospital symptom-free, and have remained that way until 2 weeks ago. All my symptoms (Numbness, tingling and pain down my left arm) have now returned. I am awaiting an MRI, but have obvious suspicion that I now have issues above or below the fusion. Very disappointed this is happening after only 14 months. I have not done anything crazy, but did resume my normal active lifestyle which includes, bicycling, playing guitar, and working in a heart cath lab, which means I wear lead protection every day. I have been reading about disc replacement, rather than another fusion, and thought it sounded like a more promising option...til reading the posts here. Is there ANYONE out there that has had replacement surgery after a previous fusion, and had GREAT results? Id love to hear something encouraging! I fear hitting middle ages with a neck that no longer bends and allows me to maintain a quality of life.

[SammyRav]

I had a lumbar replacement but I guess its still relevant. I would add though that it is so important that you choose the right surgeon, it really can make all the difference. I just posted this on another thread:

I had an L5/S1 disc replacement in 2007 in the UK and choosing this surgery was the best decision I have ever made. It has totally resolved my right leg sciatica which was so bad I could barely walk down stairs because my leg would give out. It has resolved 99.99% of my low back pain which forced me to stop Karate when I was about to get my black belt and pretty much every other sporting interest I had. I now only suffer the odd twinge or ache which is probably hormonal and is totally insignificant in comparison with the daily agony I suffered for 12 years from the age of 18. It took about 2 weeks to heal enough to be able to look after myself properly after surgery - mainly due to the abdominal wound and I was back at work in 5 weeks.

My father had a 3 level fusion when I was a teenager and I watched the ordeal he went through, and still is suffering again 15 years later because the disc below and above the fusion site have badly deteriorated. There was no way I was going to go down that track unless there was no other option and until I was only able to move about on my hands and knees. I was very fortunate to be offered this surgery which was in trial in the UK when I lived over there.

[GettingOlder]

I wish I could give you some good news, but one of my friends had disc replacement surgery and is now still in pain. Maybe it depends on how good the surgeon is? Best wishes!