| Vince, Your case history was an interesting read and similar to my own. Thanks for sharing it. I really can't advise except that it seems like you already have some damage and it will likely get worse and is irreversible and that your docs suggest surgery so you might as well proceed while you still are in OK shape. I'm going for an evaluation at the Spine Center at Columbia-Presbyterian in NYC. My thought is to go to the best person I can find and do what they say. Good luck! Bob
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| Vince, I had both
anterior and posterior decompression surgeries on C1-C4. C1-C3 was
performed anteriorly (trans-oral)
and Skull to C4 were done posteriorly. I was fused posteriorly Skull to
C4. Depending on the source of the stenosis and the amount of relief that
can be done anteriorly, I'm guessing that they may have to go in
posteriorly for a laminectomy
to further increase the canal for the spinal cord to pass. Posterior
access to Skull to C4 is mostly above the major muscle layers that you may
have heard about in many posters having long recovery after a posterior
approach to the lower cervical area. I had 2 posterior surgeries (1 re-do)
and recovered fairly quickly...at least the second time.
------------------ Thank you for the vocabulary,
thank you for sharing,
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| Welcome
to the Spiney family Vince. I'm sure someone with more medical knowledge
that I will come along. Glad to have you here. Hugs,
Doug
placebo prayer objective study - vjc
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| I am confused. Are you a DR? Talking to
another DR? Are you asking for help here? Is this on 1-2 people or just
you? I guess I am still half asleep, it has confused the heck out of me!
Anyone else understand all this?
We here are not MD's, but regular people who have fallen together by "spinal" circumstance. We support each other here. And try to help with the knowledge from our own experiences. To me, yours is complicated beyond anything I could help with. Maybe someone else wants to tackle this. Cindy ------------------ Why Australia? - vjc
If you do not have a real problem with the quality of your
life/lifestyle, and if the docs are not telling you that you need to
have surgery before you risk permanent nerve damage,.... then maybe you
have the time to put off having surgery. Or maybe you can opt not to
have it unless you get worse, symptomatically. Or maybe you ought to
look into some of the minimally invasive techniques offered by a few
doctors around the country. A lot of times your body will tell you when
it's time to go for it. And of course, there are no guarantees. Good
luck. wr
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| Hi, I noticed something in one of the
reports mentioning metastases: ``There are also bony abnormalities of
vertebrae of uncertain origin, but the radiologist feels these are
suggestive of multiple myeloma. The patient is advised that he needs to
see a neurosurgeon in consultation to consider decompressive surgery." Now, I'm not a doctor and I don't want to alarm you, but that sounds like there is a question about whether you might have cancer - specifically of the bone marrow (myeloma). Perhaps you should ask your doctor about that?
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| Hi Vince... I can understand how confusing
all this must be for you. In short if I was you I think I would be
inclined to take the Doctors suggestion of an anterior decompression and
fusion. I have had an anterior fusion followed about 2 years later by a
posterior redo fusion. I got significant pain relief and strength increase
from the decompression... BUT aggravated problems at other levels in the
neck...
However I consider I am MUCH better off by having had the fusions. appreciate the
comments - vjc
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| Before that I would strongly consider
rolfing, or in my case, I had Lou Gross do structural integration. He
lengthens the fascia and that opened up my stenosis. He literally added an
inch back to my height. His web page is ugly, but the results are
amazing. I saw my MRI, the horribly compressed nerves, the loss of nerve signal. He was able to open up the space in my stenosis, and the emj studies showed nerve conduction restored. Bob sci.med.diseases.osteoporosis
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| Before I would have fusion I would try
structural integration. This lengthens the connective tissues between the
spine, often eliminating the need for surgery and preventing pain. It did
for me. See the horrible web page http://www.backfixbodywork.com/ and really read it. Including the testimonials from Olympic athletes. I was saved surgery and much pain. And many other's I know Lou Gross, Mater Structural Integrator (sometimes called rolfing, but he adds a lot of engineering to his work). Insurance will pay tens of thousands of dollars for crippling injury, but a few hours with Lou just might fix the problem. Finally, fusion surgery is completely obsolete. If you must have surgery, Dheet (IDET?) shrinks discs in a much less invasive manner. Fusion should go the way of the dark ages. sci.med.diseases.osteoporosis
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| I'd like to understand some of the terms
used about my MRI. What is uncovertebral hypertrophy and hypertrophic
facet changes? What does a spondolitic change mean? I'm not sure exactly
what the thecal sac is or what its purpose is.... Any help is appreciated,
short of trying to understand the internet medical sources. Most don't
offer lay terminology that makes sense. Thanks for your input. Peace, Yvette
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----- Original Message -----
From:
Connie Boaz
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 10:51 AM
Subject: Re: [Neck_Pain] surgery and recovery
After consult with a surgeon, I'll be having an anterior diskectomy (2 level) using harvested bone with plate on C5-6-7. The surgeon indicated the newest processes for fusion (using a cage and injecting a bone growth medium into it) were not available for cervical fusion yet, although they are being used for lumbar with good success rates. The only advantage is that you don't have to endure the discomfort of having bone harvested (usually from the pelvis). The rest of the procedure is the same. The possibility of getting the artificial disk is zero at present in the US. The surgeon felt the studies and time needed to release through the FDA would amount to about 5 years or more. Wish this news were more positive. Can anyone advise me about recovery time and the kinds of things to do in advance to prepare for it? I know my throat will be sore from the operation, since they move the trachea, and there is a possibility of being horse for a time. I won't be able to lift anything? for a while. Can I walk, take care of myself, drive? The surgeon I'll be using is saying I won't be in the cervical collar more than a few weeks. True? Travel restrictions? How boring will it get? Medication? Therapy? Being a planner by trade, I want much more information than the doctor gave at the consult. Can anyone walk me through the gory details? Thanks. The surgeon also mentioned that the people in discussions on the internet tend to be the ones with poor experiences who are still looking for further solutions. He expressed the sentiment that this is less than 5% of all patients. So, if anyone has had a positive outcome and is still pain free after a few years, I'd be grateful to hear from you.
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Vincent J Cataldi -- Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202 - USA
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