Disc surgery in lower neck - anyone been there?

[RonB]

My wife has been in almost constant pain with a combination of arthritis, bone spurs and bulging discs in c5 & 6 for 11 months. We have been to many doctors, and have tried everything they have recommended. The last two doctors have agreed that she has done everything short of surgery and it's up to her as to how much pain she can put up with.
She's ready for surgery, (to remove 2 discs and fuse the associated vertebra), but the complicating factor is that after they are fused, problems could eventually crop up in the discs above and below the fused vertebra.
Has anyone had similar surgery; how long ago; and have you had any problems since?
Thanx for any insight ~ Ron

 

[3kids4me]

I had surgery to fuse my L5/S1 discs 21 years ago (I was in my early 20s). It was the best thing I ever did, alleviating two years of pain and allowing me to have my three children.

Now, 21 years later, the level above (L4/5) is starting to go...there is instability and some muscle spasms...nothing to require more surgery and I hope it stays stable...no pun intended. Even if it doesn't, it was well worth the 21 years of being pain free.

These discs were in my lower back (lumbar spine) rather than my neck (thoracic spine) but I think the risks are somewhat similar. Of course age has an impact on prognosis, as well as other factors such as smoking (which is a strong risk factor for failure to fuse).

Good luck to your wife with her decision.

Sharon

 

[sdbrier]

If her disc is bulging and not ruptured I had a similar issue in that location several years ago. After the family MD , whom I trust said there was nothing else that could be done I went to a chiropractor, which I had lambasted their effectiveness for tears, calling them quacks. In the span of a month the pain had subsided. With recurring visits when I felt the need after the first couple months I have been pain free for over the past several years. My wife had bone spur in her neck and opted for chiro before having the surgery and has had great success also. Not saying it's for everyone, but it saved her surgery and stopped my pain. Worth a try. Just my .02 cents worh.

 

[memereDoris]

My DH just had spinal surgery Nov 30, 2010. Lower back. 5 vertabrae fused and 3 discs built from the bones removed and bone from his hips. The doctors also cleaned up all the spurs. He broke his back at age 10 and is now 57.

Within 1 week of surgery, he was in less pain than he has been in for over 20 years. 4 days after surgery he was climbing stairs. He is still taking 1 anti-inflammatory per day. Compared to all the pills he was taking before this is a major improvement.

The surgeon says it should take up to 1 year to heal because of the extensive repair. He already feels great but has to make sure the fusing heals properly.

There is no flex in the fused area. He has finally learnt how to put his socks on. Even if he only gets 10 years without the massive pain, it will have been worth it.

He waited till there were no other options to have the surgery. He had been to a chiropractor but after taking xrays, they refused to touch him.

Make sure you have a really good surgeon. Do your research.

 

[suzanne]

DH has had 2 surgeries on his neck. First one was 20 years ago. the disc was bulging and he was in horrifc pain. After trying physical therapy and every pain med out there, the doctor said surgery was only option left to repair the disc. He has not had any problems since from that disc. He had similiar problem with another disc 7 years ago and this time the disc had to be removed and was replaced with a piece of artificial bone. He has not had any problems since. It took several weeks for him to heal after both surgeries but has been fine with no issues with either one. If your wife goes forward with surgery to be sure and choose a well known reputable neuro surgeon. Both disc were in his middle and lower neck. C5 and C6 he thinks but doesn't remember for sure. he was only in hospital 2 days for both.

Suzanne

 

[Darlene]

I had a C5 & C7 bulging disc about 6 years ago. I went to a chiropractor because I was in so much pain. He told me I had 'sprained' my neck, and that I need a back adjustment. He had me lie on my stomach while he put pressure on my back to adjust it. I heard a loud pop. When I got up, my collarbone was dislocated. He told me it was just swollen and to go home and ice it.
I went to a orthopedic doctor, and he took an x-ray. My collarbone was dislocated, an he told me it could not be repaired. He asked me if I had been in a car accident, no just a chiropractor. Then, he sent me for a MRI and diagnosed me with the two bulging cervical disc. He said I was lucky that the back adjustment had not left me paralyzed. He said I could have the disc surgery, but there were the risk of other problems and paralysis. Neck surgery is much more difficult than back surgery because of the size of the disc. He recommended I do physical therapy and take an anti-inflammatory like celebrex. He said it would take at least 4 years before I would be pain free. He was right. I took the celebrex and went to physical therapy. I limited my activities, and did nothing that bothered my neck. Today, my neck is fine, totally pain free. My collarbone 'healed' and is only slightly more prominent than the other one.
Darlene

 

[ann824]

I had C5-C6 surgery about 15 years ago. They took bone out of my hip to use for the fusion. The surgery was a breeze but I had terrible complications after the surgery. About 5 days after surgery I had severe pain and partial paraylsis in both arms. It was about two years before I had full use of my arms again. They said I had Parsonage-Turner syndrome, but I always felt like a nerve was damaged somehow. I have been worried because I know that a lot of the time you will have problems with the discs that are next to the one where you had surgery. Every now and then I notice some pain, but have pretty much been fine once I got past the initial nightmare. I don't know if I would do the surgery again. I wish I had considered more options before I had surgery. You need to find the best surgeon you can find.

 

[RonB]

Thanx all for the input. She has decided to have the surgery, but our family doctor wants her to wait until her (new) thyroid problem, (low hormones), is corrected.
Ron