Cervical Disc Surgery

[mrsstats]

While on vacation in Utah last month, DH lost feeling in thumb & forefinger. Went to hospital there, they said it appeared to be herniated disc. When we came home did the MRI, disc herniated at C-5 C-6. 2 opinions later, both neurosurgeons recommend surgery. One is in a group that has 1 of the top doctors as rated in New Yorker Magazine. The other is 40 minutes from our home.

The one from the top doctors uses cadaver bone to fuse the discs. The other doctor uses Bioresorable implants. I can not find any information on these with being used for cervical discs. Has anyone had surgery using these?

DH needs to make a decision as he has been out of work for 1 month. Cant work with no feeling in his thumb & finger as he key punches most of the day. He just needs to choose between the 2 doctors.

 

[Nala56]

My DH had herniated disc at C3-4, he had cadiver bone and plate at UMPC in Pittsburgh. He had throat and swallowing discomfort for about a week, had to sleep in a recliner for couple of weeks because of neck brace, but he said it wasn't nearly as bad as he thought it was going to be. He was so happy to be free of pain from disc. Good luck.

 

[jfulcer]

I herniated C5-C6 and had to have surgery too. I lost almost all feeling in my feet and hands. My doctor even offered to cancel his thanksgiving plans to do my surgery. I waited a few days.

Anyway, my surgeon used the tip of my hip bone for the surgery. He said the tip of that bone is the perfect fit for replacing a disc in your neck. He likened it to God giving us two built in spare parts. He told me that they would only use cadaver bones or some other technology if he needed more than 2. You may want to ask your doctor why they wouldn't use your own replacement bone for that... Maybe they don't do that anymore?

Like another poster said, I had discomfort for about a week and I think like 4-5 weeks with no real physical activity. The hip incision actually hurt more than the neck incision did.

Is your doc going to go in through the front or the back of your neck? it can be done both ways, but through the front is messing with less muscle/etc.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Is he contemplating a hospital and surgeon in NYC? I had a 360 fusion last year and did extensive research on surgeons in our area if you are interested.

 

[mrsstats]

Is he contemplating a hospital and surgeon in NYC? I had a 360 fusion last year and did extensive research on surgeons in our area if you are interested.

Thank you, but I think he is leaning towards the doctor at Stony Brook University.

They dont use the hip bone as they found in to be too painful and the cadaver bone works just as well.

 

[jfulcer]

They dont use the hip bone as they found in to be too painful and the cadaver bone works just as well.

sha, I coulda told them that one. Woulda made my surgery MUCH easier IMHO.

Although if they used cadaver bones on me, I'd be concerned with all the revelations about all the trouble going on with 'parts' donations lately.