Cervical disc surgery - anyone had it?

[grinningghost]

Saw a neurosurgeon today. I need surgery to remove a disc in my neck. They will replace it with donor bone and a piece of titanium.

Anyone had this done? I'm not a scaredy cat type, but any surgery makes me a bit nervous.

 

[Bobbles]

I had lower back surgery 4 years ago for degenerative disc problems and while it is not quite the same as the neck area, I couldn't be happier. After several years of extreme painand nerve problems in the right leg, prior to the surgery, I am absolutely pain free now with no motion limitations. I tried all I could to avoid invasive surgery before and nothing really worked. (OK, I didn't try any voodoo or mystical healings.)

The only problem I had was a brain aneurysm 28 days later but that had nothing to do with the back surgery.
(Perhaps I shouldn't have said that?) The same doctor performed the surgery on the brain. I think I bought him a Mercedes that year but he deserved it.

I definately would do the back thing again if needed.

Best wishes for a successful surgery!

 

[LJC1861]

Just had the same proceedure done and it was a piece of cake. Where is yours located? Mine was C5-6.

Your surgeon will make a small incision on the front of your neck and if you are lucky he will use a bone graft from the bone bank. He will remove the damaged disc, put in the graft, screw in the plate and you are done. I was in and out of the hospital in 36 hours. As soon as I woke up there was IMMEDIATE relief....no more pain and numbness in my hand. I wore a soft collar for 6 weeks. I made wearing the collar more bearable by cutting up some old T-shirts to wrap around it. I held it in place with 2 small safety pins.

I hardly needed any pain medication. The worst problem you should have is a REALLY bad sor throat for a week of so. The first night was pretty unbearable and it hurt to even swallow my own saliva. I lived on yogurt and ice cream for most of a week, but that is it.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask or PM me if you are more comfortable. I know you will be fine. Just remember that a positive attitude it the biggest part of the battle.

Take care,

Linda

 

[cubsfan]

yep....what she said......I had a little harder time with the collar, and the sore throat is the worst, but the chocolate shakes and frozen yougurt made it bearable....

 

[rascalmom]

I had mine in 1996. I really wish I had not done it - recovery was horrible, my symptoms got worse for several years & I am now having new problems that my neurologist is telling me is an after-effect of the surgery. I had 2 levels done and they took a bone graft from my hip bone - that part was no big deal. I wore the soft brace for 6 weeks too. The post-surgery swelling was very scary -I felt like I couldn't breath or swallow for about 3 weeks. I cramped horribly in my neck and shoulders until I was able to go without the brace. I'm sorry to sound so negative, but I really wish someone had told me the other side of it before I had my surgery. I had a good friend who had had great success, but I never really have been pain free since. I did all the physical therapy & have tried lots of things since. Please think about getting a second opinion.

 

[mrsstats]

Why did they tell you that you need sugery? I was told the same thing about 10 years ago. Was told I could become paralyzed if I didnt do it. Got 2 more opinions and was told surgery was not needed unless I lost control of my bladder or bowels. I do still have pain. Don't take prescription pain pills, still work and bowl. Not saying you shouldnt do it but dont let someone operate without all your facts in place.

 

[LJC1861]

I agree with the second opinion. This most recent surgery was my second experience with spinal fusion. Back in 1996 I had the same proceedure done at the c6-7 level. Before that surgery I was panic stricken and did see another Dr. just to make sure I was doing the right thing. Back then they took bone from your hip routinely and did not use the titanium plate. It is a MUCH different and easier proceedure now.

I will say this, only YOU know your body. Are you in enough pain that your quality of life is diminished? Are you becoming addicted to pain medication? Are you trying altenative therapies--chiropractic, acupuncture, PT--and nothing is working? Are you losing function in extremities? Are you having problems with muscle spasms and movement? Have you had an MRI and what does it show--is there marked compression on your spinal cord?

If you can answer "yes" to two or more of these questions, then surgery might be the right option for you. I would also suggest finding a doctor who does mostly head and neck surgery. Ask for references from patients. My first doctor kept a book in the office with letters and phone numbers from some of his patients that other could call for support.

Also, check out this website www.spineuniverse.com for articles and general support of all things spine related. It might help in easing some of your fears.

Linda

 

[Kitty 34]

I had this done but it was in 1979 so surgery and recovery might be a lot different now. I'm sure now they would send you to physical therapy soon after surgery. I never went to PT until last year when arthritis started setting in! He said I never learned how to move my neck correctly post surgery.

btw..They used a piece of my hip bone.

Why are you having surgery? I broke my neck in a car accident which led to my surgery.

 

[LJC1861]

I went to physical therapy for 6 weeks before my surgery. I didn't need ANY afterward. I was back to 100% very quickly.

I was also back to work, with the collar on, in 2 weeks.



Linda

 

[GeorgeG]

My wife had discs replaced in her lower back in January of last year (also fusion and rods) and has had problems. The first surgery was where they went in through the abdomen to replace the discs with titanium baskets filled with bone material. To do that, they had to move some muscles and nerves that did not return to normal. This happens in a small percentage of cases. The result is spasms and weakness in her leg.

We were back at the Spine Institute just last week because they are doing a study of such problems in order to improve the process, so I guess it's not all that uncommon.

All in all, though, she's still better for the surgery since she was headed for major disability without it. That's where you need to weigh the pros and cons.

 

[grinningghost]

Wow. What an interesting range of results everyone has had. Here's my story briefly.

I was in a head on collision at age 17 - I had a pretty good case of whiplash (or so they said back then). Ever since, I've had neck and back pain that's been escalating. I'm almost 40 now.

I also have MS, which also produces fun symptoms like numbness and weakness of the extremities, so for many years, I just assumed all the numbness was because of the MS.

For the pain I've done countless rounds of PT, seen quite a few chiropractors, massage therapy, and downed LOTS of painkillers. Finally they decided to look further into what was going on.

The disc at 6-7 is the trouble maker. I found out today that the neurosurgeon doing the surgery has a very good record with the state insurance fund (my mom's friend works there and checked). So I feel a little better about that.

I think I've been beaten down to the point where I'm ready to do the surgery and let the chips fall where they may. It would be really cool to experience a day without the pain. If it doesn't work, well, I'll still be a mess but I'll know I gave it all I could.

 

[jfulcer]

Had surgery on C5-C6 to replace a bulging disc about 2+ years ago - it had almost pinched my spinal cord in half. The second opinion doctor offered to postpone his vacation scheduled the next day to do the surgery it was so bad. Both doctors said they prefer NOT to have to do surgery - would rather do PT, etc. But I was beyond that.

Anyway, my symptoms were I couldn't really feel my hands anymore, or feet. Legs and arms had started tingling, so it was getting worse not better. Medicine and chiro did not work (surgeon thought Chiro might have made it worse). The nerve stimulator set on the highest setting (painful!!!) I didn't feel at all on my feet.

My doctor also went through the front, a small incision about 2 inches long. I was in and out of the hospital in 48 hours. They took a bone graft from my hip (and incidentally, the doctor told me that this particular part of your hip is a perfect fit for replacing a bad disc. He said it was like God gave us to replacement parts built into us) and used that and held it all in place with a nice titanium plate.

The surgery was a life saver for me, I was 95% percent better immediately after the surgery. I still have some numbness and tingling in my hands, but that's easy enough to live with considering the alternative. The doctor had told me ahead of time that I may have permanent nerve damage. Bummer.

I wore a neck brace (not a soft one) for about 6 weeks. I was off work for 2 weeks, but that was because I wasn't really doing much at the office and they really didn't need me in - they just wanted me to heal fully. It hurt to swallow for about a week or so, but I really didn't take any pain killers except for the first 2 or 3 days. Aspirin after that. The incision on my hip hurt worse than the one on my neck. You are not allowed to lift anything.

I agree, get the second opinion (your doctor may have suggested that to you). If you have to have the surgery, I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully it can help you like mine did.

 

[LJC1861]

jfulcer made a great point regarding this type of surgery. Most good neuro or orthopedic surgeons prefer NOT to operate and would rather that you use alternative therapies. If they recommend surgery you most likely need it.

He is also correct that the hip incision hurts worse than the neck one. After my first surgery where they did take bone out of my hip, that area hurt much worse than my neck. If your surgeon is going to use bone bank bone, your recovery will be that much easier. Also, with the titanium plate in place it stabilizes the grafted area much more than surgery without it and therefore more doctors will give you the soft collar to wear instead of the hard one.

Linda

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by LJC1861
jfulcer made a great point regarding this type of surgery. Most good neuro or orthopedic surgeons prefer NOT to operate and would rather that you use alternative therapies. If they recommend surgery you most likely need it.

He is also correct that the hip incision hurts worse than the neck one. After my first surgery where they did take bone out of my hip, that area hurt much worse than my neck. If your surgeon is going to use bone bank bone, your recovery will be that much easier. Also, with the titanium plate in place it stabilizes the grafted area much more than surgery without it and therefore more doctors will give you the soft collar to wear instead of the hard one.

Yes Linda, the surgeon will use donor bone. He said he almost always does now, as patients were having more problems with their hip after surgery than their neck. I must really need the surgery because he didn't even hesitate after looking at my MRI. He said the disc is sitting on top of my spinal cord, and things will only get worse. Hard to imagine worse. Sometimes I'm in so much pain I'm in tears, and I'm a pretty tough cookie.