c6-c7 anterior cervical fusion

[Bruce]

I am a 39 year old male, 170 pounds, who works at a computer.  I have experience pain since last december in my left arm, shoulder, and neck.  Back in April, 2000 I experienced numbness and tinkling in my left arm.  I lost strength also.   My doctor sent my to PT, and I got better.  Most of my strenght returned, but not like before.  This condition has continued to nag me, and I decided to go back to the doctor who recommended I have a MRI.  I did.  The results showed a herniated disk at C6-C7.  I he referred me to a neurosurgeon.  The neurosurgeon after introductions said that I needed to have surgery, and that my condition would not improve only become worse. He said that I had spinal compression that would begin to affect other areas.  I was shocked, but I went ahead and scheduled the procedure for early December.  But I have reservations due to the fact that I do not hurt as much as before.  I am afraid that the surgery will open up complications that will be worse than my present condition.   Should I wait, and have surgery when this is unbearable or should I get this corrected now early on in the game?  I only have about 10 days before going to the hospital.  
Would more PT be effective, and as long as I'm not suffering much do I really need to go under the knife?  My doctor said see me now or see me later.  

Bruce

[Bruce]

Peter:

Thanks for responding.  I am glad you asked Jim that question?  One of main concerns is that I am a very active person.  I love to hike, play tennis, and to snow ski.  I would rather have a little pain than to end these activities.  It is late in the day, and I know that I have this condition because I feel it.  I have visited with two folks who had the surgery, and have never regretted it.  They said they felt like new people when they woke up.  I'm trying to be positive about this.  

Bruce

[Joe]

Thanks for this thread.  It's very timely for me as well.  I've had tingling and numbness in both hands and my right arm and shoulder for the past 6-9 months.  Neurologist said I have mild/moderate carpal tunnel syndrome in both arms, and right ulner nerve problems.  Also had torn rotator cuff in right shoulder three years ago, but that's apparently healed. Ortho. surgeon sent me for cerv. MRI.  

A cervical MRI done two weeks ago revealed a moderate to large HNP toward the right at C4-5 with cord compression, moderate to large HNP at C5-6 with cord compression and moderate to severe left foraminal stenosis at C5-6.  In two weeks I got three separate opinions from neurosurgeons.  All say it won't get better and chiropractic or PT wouldn't really help much...could actually cause more damage.  

They recommend surgery of an ACD C 4-5 and C5-6 and arthrodesis with aliograft and instrumentation.  My family doctor agrees, as does the ortho. surgeon.  I'm scheduled to have it done Dec. 13th.  I'm a 45 y.o. male, fairly active.  Wonder if I'm making the right choice.  Surgeons said "see me now or later" as well.   Email me at ***@**** if you have any suggestions.  Good luck to you, too!

[Bruce]

Thanks Joe for the comments.  I now decided to go ahead with the procedure on the 5th.  I spoke with the surgical nurse today with questions related to the post operative recovery.  I have been told that the neck collar is a requirment 24-7 for the first two weeks. And after that I will need to wear it while driving or riding in a car.  I have spoken to other folks who have had to wear the collar nonstop up to 10 weeks.  I am beginning to think any doctors have different views.  What has your doctor said?  I greatest fear is that things after surgery may be more instense that expected.  My experience with doctors is that they give information on a "need to know basis".  

Bruce

[Peter]

We can all give advice related to our individual situations meaning that one persons situation might not apply to anothers even though they seem similar. For example Joe said that he had a moderate to severe case where as mine as shown below is not as severe.

(The C6-7 level reveals broad minimal, posterior disk margin bulge. Additionally.. there appear to be extruded disk fragments in the right neural foramen, largely filling the neural foramen.)

It's your job to get several opinions if possible and use forums ,like this one, solely as avenues for information. The bottom line is that each case is unique and you have to make your own informed choice.

Peter

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Bruce and Joe:

I'd really like to hear how your operations went. I'll be looking for your posts! Good Luck!!!

[Jim]

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond, been away from this site awhile.  The p.t. I did was mainly gentle stretching and some strange hand pedaling device that I never did understand.  The back doc. that I saw told me if he had to pick between p.t. and time he would say that time was the more important element.  I was also continuing with a moderate upper body work out and aerobics from various sources.  Was never really awhile from my outdoor recreation activities during the entire episode, and that is the real therapy!  Good luck to all,  Jim

[Jim]

I now see there were a couple more questions directed at me.  I'm 11 months post op and feel great, climbed or windsurfed everyday I didn't work this summer, and I didn't work much!  I feel the plate in my throat at times and get an occasional twinge in my neck but have never had true pain since a few weeks after the surgery.  I have taken 25 foot leader falls climbing, and bailed from big air windsurfing with no apparant ill effects. I progressed slowly but steadily back from being pretty conservative to letting it go with the lack of pain being my guide.  A couple neurosurgeons concurred with my plan, but I don't think there thinking is the norm for the profession.  If it hurts dont do it, but if it doesn't, live your life.   Jim