abnormal mri

[kkj66]

I have already had surgery on my neck at the c5-6 c6-7 level with strut fusion in 2004 and I have sever neck pain and migraines frequently. I had a mri and now it shows c4-5 central disc herniation and c3-4 posterior disc bulge , c4-5 moderate central disc protrusion appears to be a disc herniation causing ventral subarachnoid space impingement and slight ventral cord effacement. is surgery the only fix for this problem ?

[kkj66]

thanks I have recently moved to florida the treasure coast and now I have to find a new neurosurgeon so this makes me nervous, I do continue to  work full time and I am affraid this will probably have to stop , I don't think any employer will want to take the risk and hire someone with 2 c-spine surgeries, my last neurosurgeon was one of the top 10 in Texas the group was #1 and they were great. I really just want the migraines to stop.. or slow down this is the main symptom. as it was with the last abnormality....and surgery.thanks I'll keep you posted...

[kittyluv1]

Since there appears to be central cord effacement at the C4-C5 level, I would imagine the doctor will suggest another fusion at that site.  The higher levels do not show as much compromise and may not need to be attended to at the same time.
The risk with any fusion procedure is that future surgery could be indicated if further degenerative changes occur at the adjacent disc levels.  These discs took the additional stress that the fused area no longer could handle and placed them at risk.
I am postop ACDF C4-C7 and my neurosurgeon was very clear in stating that another surgery could be needed later.  I hope it won't happen for some time, but at least I know it is a possibility.
Let us know what your doctor advises ---