Problem with cervical fusion?

[macnbc]

I had cervical fusion from C3-4 to T-1 anterior and posterior about six months ago and it has seemed very successful. I recently had to have lumbar injections and lay on my stomach and put my head in a rather uncomfortable position. Since then I've had some pain at the lower part of my neck on the right side The pain has subsided, but other odd symptoms persist. There are times when holding my arms above my head for whatever reason makes me seem to feel the metal behind my collarbone on the left side. I called my doctor's office and told them of the pain when it first started, but they told me to wait a few days and if it got worse to come in. It didn't. All of the symptons are relieved when I wear my cervical collar. But therein is another problem. My collar seems doesn't seem to fit as well as it did even 2 weeks ago. It seems to tall for my neck. Is this even possible or am I imagining things. I will probably visit my very competant neurosurgeon tomorrow, but My spinal cord was so compromised at the time of the first surgery that I'm scared. I'm also scared about some tinnitus that I was blaming on my Naproxin. Now I remember leaning over this before surgery to put my socks on, hearing a POP and all of a sudden the tinnitus started. At first it wasn't bothersome. Now, it is getting so loud that it makes me want to scream at times. I realize I've put a lot in this post, but you can clearly tell I've been worried about these symptoms. I came so close to losing my life with no pain or warning whatsoever, that I guess now I've become hypervigilent....or a hyperchondriac.

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Friend,
I must congratulate you for getting such a nice surgeon as you  have got multiple level of cervical spine involved. C3-C4 to T-1 means 4 different levels involved and to get these 4 levels intact, requires  a lot of expertise.
But i would still feel that the symptoms you are facing is more due to some sort of anxiety as they are not at all co-relating.
When so many levels are involved in the cervical surgery, all or none principle follows.So if you suspect implant/fusion failure, there will be some symptoms like cracking sounds/numbness/weakness/paresthesia/etc.

If the symptoms are bothering you so much, then we can get MRI done to find out the more specific details.
So in a nutshell, wait for your doctor to get free.
Get the relevant investigations done. If collar is providing you relief, then please continue the usage of the same , till further opinion is provided by your treating doctor.
Feel free to discuss more.
Regards

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Friend,
X-ray won't give us the minute details. Hence MRI would be important in this case.
Do post as a new question, once your MRI findings are notified to you.

Regards

[macnbc]

I saw my physician's assistant on Monday, had a battery of x-rays and he reported them to be normal. I still can't shake this feeling that there is something not quite right in my neck. My balance is off and my left leg feels heavy and uncoordinated. These are similar symptoms to the ones I had before my first surgery, but I was blaming them on a hip and knee replacement I'd had on that left leg in the 8 months prior. I have had instances where my hands have become numb or decided to cramp for no real reason. I still have some pain at the base of my neck in the area of T1 where the appliance would end. I guess at this point I'll wait a week or 2 and see if the symptoms change or worsen. If so, I guess I'll insist on a MRI to confirm things one way or the other. Thank you for your help.