Herniated Cervial Disc

[mrsstats]

DH has herniation at C5-C6. His thumb & forefinger are numb. He has had this problem for past 2o years since being injured as a volunteer fireman. This has just gotten to the point where he now needs to do something. Saw the neruosurgeon today. He is recommending surgery. Husband is concerned since his brother had similar surgery 10 years ago and really never recovered.

Anyone have this type of surgery? What was your experience?

 

[Nala56]

My DH had the same problem at C3-4, extreme pain, numbness in hands, he was miserable. This was about 5 years ago, he had surgery. Cadaver bone and metal plate put in, he was only in hospital 2 nights. Had to wear a collar for about 6 weeks. I think he only missed about 2 weeks of work, the hardest part was driving at first because he couldn't turn his head with the collar. He didn't have a lot of pain, they went in through the mouth, moved tonsils over and made incision in back of throat. His throat was the only thing that bothered him for several days. He was very pleased with the outcome.

Good luck.

 

[RNMOM]

DH had anterior cervical fusion and discectomy last Oct. He had a severe whiplash in 97 and had been in pain since. He was having increasing pain and MRI showed ruptured discs at C3-4, 4-5. He had cadaver graft and titanium plate placed in front of the spine. He has good movement, no pain since surgery. He did have some swallowing difficulties for a couple weeks post op but they went away as the healing progressed and has no problems now. He is able to do anything he wants but has to avoid roller coasters and similar activities.

He had been up to 6 vicodin/ day and immediately after the surgery needed none. They didn't even promise an improvement in the pain but what a pleasant side effect!

Go to an experienced micro surgeon. Our doctor looked like Dougie Howser he was so young but he is great.

 

[LJC1861]

I have had 2 of these surgeries. One in 1996 to repair a herniation at C6-C7 and again in 2004 to repair a herniation at C5-C6. Although both were caused by the same injury, a fall while attempting a jump during a figure skating lesson it took 8 years for the second one to need surgery.

I went to a neurosurgeon, and I would highly recommend one that specializes in backs. The doctor will go in through the front of your neck and make a tiny incision. Both of mine are less than 2 inches long. Most surgeries now will use bone from a bone bank and use a titanium plate, and this reduces recovery time by several months. For my first surgery I had bone taken from my hip and no titanium in my neck. I was in a rigid brace for 4 months following the surgery. My second used bone bank and titanium and I was only in a soft neck collar for 6 weeks. I was back to work in 2 weeks with both.

For my first surgery I was in the hospital for 3 nghts, and this was mainly due to the intense pain from my hip where they harvested the bone. For the second I was in overnight. There was very little pain from the neck incisions with both. Most of my pain came from an extremely intense sore throat. To get to the spine they have to move everything in your throat over a bit. Remember you are intubated as well and this can cause irritation. This sore throat lasted about a week....and in all honesty was pretty miserable. But, that was the worst of it.

I am totally fine now with almost 100% range of motion. Like some of you I had numbness and tingling in my fingers. I had no grip and constantly dropped things. The pain ran all the way up my arm and into my back causing spasms. As soon as the repair was done all feeling, strength and muscle tone came back.

I would recommend visiting a website www.spineuniverse.com for more information on back surgeries. It has all sorts of information including a physician resource list for all areas of the country.

Good luck and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Linda

 

[the Fidge]

HI Mrs Stats , sorry about hubby! Hope all goes well. I will tell yout his though I hope it helps. I am originally a LI native and relocated to PA. I herniated 6 discs and they have wanted to do surgery for sometime. I flattly refuse.

In PA most credible Drs have left my area due to high cost of malpractice PA has no caps. Had I still had been covered in NY I would have jumped. There are so many great doctors there. Just have to hunt them out I am personally familar with a great one and would be happy to give his name in a PM. I have struggled with the pain for a long time now and the worst part has been the weight gain and lack of flexibilty. It really gets the better of me some days.

I would be happy to give some names as I did work within the medical field on LI and know some of the good bad and ugly!

Please feel free to contact me and I will give as much as I have.

HEre to your DHs speedy recovery! Limitations are frustrating for the person as well as the family!