Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of spine surgery used to treat neck or arm pain caused by cervical radiculopathy. The procedure involves the removal of a protruding disc to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, alleviating pain, weakness, numbness, and other symptoms. Plates are used in this procedure, available in different sizes and shapes, to physically physically remove the disk between the vertebrae.
Spinal instrumentation hardware refers to various types of implants used for fixation in spinal surgery. They can be used in various combinations, such as using bone grafts and vertebrae to create a spinal fusion. The bone graft and vertebrae are fixed in place with metal plates and screws. Anterior and posterior cervical fusion plates are used in cervical spine surgery for trauma, tumor, degenerative disease, and inflammatory conditions.
A small horizontal incision is made in the anterior (front) of the neck to either the left or right of the center. The soft laminae are propped up and kept open using bone blocks, plates, or both, creating a greater diameter of the spinal canal. Plates and rods are attached to the vertebral body or posterior elements with wire, screws, and hooks. Screws and wire can also be used alone as a means of improving the quality of patients’ lives. Orthofix offers anterior cervical fixation products designed to improve the quality of patients’ lives.
📹 Symptoms of Cervical Stenosis | Jeffrey Cantor, MD
Spine surgeon, Jeffrey Cantor, MD, discusses the symptoms of cervical stenosis. Learn more at CantorSpine.com.
Can cervical spinal fusion cause problems later in life?
Spinal fusion can lead to problems later in life, such as hardware failure, adjacent segment disease (ASD), or spinal muscle injuries, which can result in new or recurrent back pain and neurological symptoms. Hardware used in lumbar spinal fusion, such as rods, pedicle screws, cages, and spacers, can wear out and break over time, causing symptoms similar to those experienced before the fusion, such as persistent back pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness.
What can you never do after spinal fusion?
It is recommended that patients refrain from engaging in strenuous activities, such as cycling, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until they have received clearance from their physician. Furthermore, it is recommended that individuals refrain from operating motor vehicles for a minimum of two to four weeks or for periods exceeding 30 minutes at a time.
What is the success rate of C5, C6, and C7 neck surgery?
Cervical disc replacement surgery has a high success rate, exceeding 90% in providing relief from neck pain and improving mobility. However, success can vary depending on individual factors, so it’s crucial to discuss expectations and potential outcomes with your surgeon. Dr. Lanman’s success rate is equal to or higher than those in the published medical literature, indicating his pioneering work in this field. Patient satisfaction rates after cervical disc replacement surgery are consistently above 90 to 95.
How many years does a neck fusion last?
ACDF surgery is a permanent procedure that can last over 10 years before needing additional surgeries. Patients should meet with their surgical team before surgery, who will perform a physical exam, learn about their general health, and order imaging tests if necessary. The surgeon will also provide specific instructions to follow before surgery, such as avoiding certain foods and drinks, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The results of ACDF surgery can help in addressing the patient’s symptoms and preventing future complications.
How long does it take to recover from neck surgery c3, c4, c5, c6, c7?
Neck surgery typically takes 4-6 weeks for short-term recovery, allowing for daily activities. In rare cases, complications like eye problems can occur, depending on the type of surgery and a person’s overall health. Neck surgery involves procedures on the cervical spine, a part of the neck’s spine. Vision problems can also occur due to neck surgery, although these are rare and can vary among individuals.
What are permanent restrictions after neck spinal fusion?
Spinal fusion surgery is a procedure that involves a combination of spinal fusion and other procedures. It is typically not possible to perform powerlifting exercises or engage in extreme spinal activities, such as heavy lifting or repetitive lifting. It is important to discuss potential activity limitations with your spine surgeon before surgery to determine the benefits and risks.
Some common problems that can occur after spinal fusion include pseudoarthrosis, Adjacent Segment Disease, and loosening or breaking hardware. These issues can lead to additional spine surgeries on other levels. Artificial disc replacement is an alternative to spinal fusion surgery that preserves spinal mobility and reduces abnormal stress on adjacent spine segments. Recovery from artificial disc replacement is faster than spinal fusion recovery, as the fused area does not need to fuse or knit together. Dr. Lanman, a leading expert in spine surgery, generally prefers to perform artificial disc replacement over spinal fusion for patients who are candidates.
Can hardware in neck be removed?
The removal of surgical spine hardware is often questioned due to potential complications related to the metal, such as loss of fixation or infection. However, most patients do not want a second surgery, especially if they have done well with the first surgery and do not experience pain. A recent study from The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery revealed that over 13, 000 surgeries for the removal of bone-securing hardware were common but had significant complications related to the surgery itself.
Almost 10 patients who had this minor procedure had complications, including anesthetic issues, wound healing issues, infections, continued pain, nerve injury, and fracture, and even several life-threatening complications. Before requesting the removal of hardware, patients should ask if it is worth the trouble, as many patients may worsen or need another surgery after this procedure. It is important to understand the risks and benefits of any surgery before proceeding.
How many fusions can you have in your neck?
A multilevel cervical fusion (MCF) is a procedure where two or more cervical levels of the spine are fused, resulting in reduced neck mobility. Studies have shown that once a neck fusion reaches three or four cervical levels, significant range of motion may be lost. A multilevel ACDF is more complex and involves decompressing the spine and stabilizing the spine with a bone graft. However, it typically involves at least two cervical levels instead of one. In one small study, patients with three- or four-level cervical fusions lost an average of 5% of their preoperative cervical ranges of motion.
Why does my neck hurt 2 years after cervical fusion?
Radicular symptoms after fusion surgery are often caused by inadequate decompression of a pinched nerve during the initial procedure, scar tissue formation during the healing process, or nerve damage or chronic compression that is too severe to treat. Surgery may ease some pain and pressure, but not all.
Musculoskeletal symptoms can also arise from cervical fusion, which alters the biomechanics of neck structures by transferring increased load to adjacent vertebrae and joints. This can cause muscle tension, tightness, and accelerated degeneration of surrounding joints, bones, and spinal discs. Postoperative musculoskeletal symptoms may also include recurrent herniated discs or degenerative changes at multiple levels of the cervical spine. In some cases, bones fail to fuse properly after surgery, a condition known as pseudoarthrosis.
Incorrect initial diagnosis can also cause neck surgery to fail, as multiple neck conditions present with the same type of pain and symptoms, making it difficult for doctors to accurately pinpoint the source of pain. Failing to identify a clear etiology of pain prior to surgery increases the risk of developing cervical post-surgery syndrome.
What are permanent restrictions after neck fusion?
Spinal fusion typically results in full recovery within eight to 12 months, but patients cannot regain the ability to bend, twist, or flex the fused segment due to the elimination of motion. Successful fusions permanently fuse affected vertebrae, preventing the need for another procedure. However, some patients may require revision surgery, with the revision rate estimated to range from 9 to 45. The exact revision rate for adult spinal fusion surgeries is difficult to determine.
What are the screws in neck surgery?
Screw and rod fixation is a surgical technique used to hold the spinal column in place during fusion or for stability. The screws are inserted into the vertebrae to be fused, connected by a rod, and secured with caps. Bone graft may be added along the vertebrae side for fusion support. After surgery, the surgeon closes the incision and moves the patient into recovery. Over time, the vertebrae can grow together, and complete fusion can take a few months to a couple of years.
📹 Anterior Cervical Fusion: 3D Medical Animation
Http://www.medivisuals.com – 3D medical animation from MediVisuals Inc. showing an anterior cervical fusion surgical procedure …
I have severe foraminal stenosis at multiple levels in my cervical spine (confirmed via MRI). When I sleep in a bad position (such as a crooked neck) I wake up and my hands are very weak, to the point to where its very difficult to even screw the cap off a water bottle. It goes away once I am up and about a few hours. Is this normal for severe foraminal stenosis? If so, how can I treat this?
Hi Doctor Jeffrey, I have Dizziness and Imbalance problem since 1 year. Problem is when I walk I feel imbalance also some dizziness. I am frustrated regarding this .Lot of test like head MRI/Ear Test/Balance Test/Sugar/pressure/Lipid Profile test did. But still doctor not able to identify real cause. I live in Stockholm Sweden, Please please help me to resolve my problem.
What if I have all the horrible symptoms of cervical myelopathy (neck pain, numb hand, weak limbs, bicep pain, heart palpitations, hot flashes or red face etc) My mri and xrays show bone spurs; arthritis; and minimal disc bulg at c5-c6 and c6-c7; BUT the experts looking at them say that the pics don’t explain my symptoms…..how much narrowing of the spinal canal is necessary to justify symptoms? I’ve heard there is no set rule? Apparently some have obvious stenosis and no symptoms….I, on the other hand, show little narrowing but awful symptoms….is that common?
Hey I was diagnosed with c4 c5 c6 disc bulges and mild foramenal narrowing so coming to the story 2 years back or somethin while I’m studying in midnight I suddenly fall asleep then I hit my table as this mimics like a cervical trauma .from the initial trauma to NOW I can feel pulsation on my right chest a just below and in my neck and sometimes all over the body should I consult a neurologist again?
im struggling because for years i have had back pain that causes walking to be so difficult, like can hardly lift my leg. also past 5 years Trigeminal neuralgia. now in the past two-three months i have had numbness/tingling that is constant in my pinky/ring finger of my left hand and vision blurr/doubled in my left eye and then later on burning and weakness in my arms/shoulders and it led my neurologist to do a cervical MRI…she does one…and there is mild canal narrowing with some small disc osteophyte complex and a small syrinx that is from my C6 to C7 that approx 1mm in Diameter and she tells me over portal messenger that its just a natural accruing hole in my spinal cord and too small to be causing symptoms and nothing we can do and my hand is probably carpel tunnel. and that if the syrinx was affecting me it would have to be my thumb and index finger going numb not pinky and ring finger. and then she blames my medication for the tingling i have been having when i saw her for the numbness and tingling before she even prescribed it to me. i get the aching in the back of my neck too, and i cant even live a normal day to day life and no one will help me. no one. i have called around my area. everyone wants her recommendation to be seen. just stuck in an ugly cycle. i know its small. but like…shouldnt it be taken at least seriously and not just thrown to the wind? ok maybe we cant do anything about it right now? but what about later down the road? and why is it there? what about the rest of my spine?
Been having these symptoms in my arms for about two months gets worse at full extension hands go crazy numb tingling and throbbing. Biceps cold hands cold. Finally saw a doctor who is trying to help me neurologist and PCP are no help thinks I’m looney or googling too much. Hopefully get a MRI soon all from a work injury that was concentrated on my lower back and never thought my neck was part of it from lifting with arm fully extended downward.
My balance is getting worse and so painful i can’t take the pain, i usually have to go to the hospital and get Dilaudid shots its not getting better, its getting worse and I can’t take it, Should I get another Cat Scan or X rays to see if it has advanced?? I’m 68 I don’t want surgery just relief, I am on 10 MG of Percocet 4x daily and it’s not working, Pain is excruciating and it’s getting hard to walk and stand up straight ? 😢 Also I have a bulging disc near buttocks and is getting worse
I just had a MRI and was told that I dont have Spinal Stenosis like I though (based upon knumness in fingers elbow pain and stabbing back pain between my spine and shoulder blade) my regular doctor sain I have arthritis in my spine down low about C7, can your ultrasonic scalpel repair artritis just like it does on bone spurs for spinal stenosis???
My consultant dismissed my symptoms. Severe neck, shoulder pain. My left arm feels on fire. Balance issues bladder urgency. Bowel accidents. Leg pain caused by painful feet. Now my left eye started closing without any effort from myself. I’m at my wits end fell downstairs many yrs ago. Lost my balance fell from top of landing broke my wrist. My hands have lost there grip strength. Also wastage of the muscles in my hand. Sorry if I go on I’m so depressed getting no help. Was up last night couldnt lay down for severe pain, burning. Many thanks for listening 😭
For the past three months, I’ve had neck pain radiating down both of my arms into my wrists and fingers. It all started after I was dealing with heavy boxes full of Christmas decorations and antiques. I also get occasional chest and shoulder pains. X-ray showed mild disc narrowing in c4-c5 and c4-c6. I think I may have permanently wrecked my spine.
My tinnitus went away after 3 weeks of constantly using the herbal ear drop from dr Liam Ogbebor herbal centre on YouTube, anyone else used his treatment for tinnitus?? Kindly share your experience. For me I would recommend the treatment to anyone suffering from tinnitus and vertigo including ear infections-“””-
When should I see a doctor and get treatment for my cervical issues? I have pain on my right neck and it radiates behind my right scapula and on my right hand.My middle finger feels like it’s burning even when I wash my hands and my right wrist is so painful too. I also have numbness and tingling on those areas when I lay down in bed .This has been going on for years now😔
I have all those symptoms. What about dizziness with vomiting I also get that. Can you explain why if it is connected. Also Im experiancing memory problems some say its not related some say it is. My MRI looks the same as the one you showed Ive been left like this a year. He only gave steroid injections somrtimes i can barely function for the dizziness. Its more in the mornings for some reason. Im 52.
Dizziness and vomiting were also few symptoms my mom is facing. She is being very uncomfortable and it happened out of no where. Local doc did mention something being convex/concave near the next. I am hell scared. Is it something fatal? I never saw my mom so miserable and that too her condition changed in very short period of time.
They keep fusing me right under the narrowest part c4 they fused front and back c5-c6. Im gonna lose my mind !!!!! My dorsal scapular nerve in extrapped there is also a tumor ive had for 15 yrs at c4 and disc protrusion also at c4!!! Please please this gas been 15 yrs of left side neck burnning and now no relief only worsened 2 yr straight pain in my left dorsal scap severe pain under left shoulder blade weakness can’t even stand up without feeling like im gonna pass out. Hurts at night hurts all day. Only thing helps for a few minutes is dorsal scap or levator scap exercise. Id like the doctors to apologize to my 4 kids that have to live with me. Im miserable and i don’t take pain meds. I decided to stop cuz they weren’t even working. 😢😢😢😢
I hace c6 and c7 and d5 fracures due to wipslash lots of symtoms accuring in my right side inluding opening my mouth and all the symtoms mentioned above its been only 2 months and week that this happend im only texting with my left hand i dont use the right its week allong with my right leg my doc said 8 should use my collar for the cerical and back support lots catsscan anmri of the cerv8cal is done should also problems with vision and ear should i listen to the specialist or see him again specially when those symptoms are not getting any better as of yet
Im a 33yr old, 6′ male, 210lbs and have been having issues for around 6 years. Nothing obvious caused it, grew up sportsy and active so did get gurt allot as a kid. It started with headaches and ocular migrains with auras and bad neck and back pain. Ignored it until 2021, almost passed out while driving. EMS arrived and said my blood pressure was 180 over something. Diagnosed me with “Idiopathic intracranial hypertension ” and put me on blood pressure meds, but didn’t help. Blurry doubled vision, sensitivity to light, constant bady pain, brain fog, balance issues, all the things in this article and more… Had some testing and they found blockage in transverse/ Sigmund sinus. Had stent placed 4 moths ago. Pain and weakness is getting worse in complete left side of body, along with decreased daily mental awearness. Beginning to also have worse and worse memory loss… But i have 2 mri’s scheduled soon (Thorasic & Cervical spine) so hopefully they find something.. im tired lol
The only pain I have is in my forearm. I’ve had it for 16 months. I was misdiagnosed with tennis elbow. I had an MRI that clearly shows the C6/C7 disc protruding into the spinal cord. However I’m not exhibiting all the problems that others suffer from like neck pain, back pain, loss of balance, tingling sensations etc. None of that. Just pain in the forearm. I’m on the fence about getting the surgery although 3 neurosurgeons have recommended it so that the problem doesn’t progress.
Im 59, 60 in the summer. I am a C6-7 incomplete quad. I have many things wrong with my spine and vertebral column. My VA dr doesnt seem worried about bc I already have issues. I’m want these issues addressed. He sent me to a spinal specialist paindr. He prescribed Diladed. I dont want to spend the next 30 yrs HIGH!! I WANT to garden, fish, text on my phone even stand up with out pain!!!!😢😢😢 Please can you help me?????❤
I’m 23 and I was haveijg left arm pain and numbness I thought it was my heart and that was going on for about 2 years so I went and seen a heart doctor he done a cta Conary one me wasn’t my heart I started having pain in my neck had a cat done found out I have a slipped disc c6 c7 first it started with just my left arm numb and now it’s effecting both my arms and legs my left arm constant hurts burning stinking numb pins and needle sensation and now it’s like that with not my arms and my arm feels like jellow like I’m struggling to even pick up a glass of milk and my legs they fell real heavy and my feet burn and my feet like tingle and idk what to do I was having trouble breathing so I started getting iron infusions and that when the legs and both arms started getting real bad and my chest pains got worse and my left arm won’t stop hurting
I have stenosis in all Of my lumbar spine joints and in most of my neck. I have problems with bladder control, migraines, hands not working properly, SEVERE muscle spasms…the list goes on and on. My pain specialist has referred me to a neurosurgeon. I’m at a point that I would consider surgery. I want my life back. I’m sorry to all of you who suffer this condition.
Try getting a referral to a c-spine surgeon. Im going paralyzed in my feet a little, and all Dr.’s are sending me to pain management. I cut off my finger, 2nd degree burns on tge top of my thigh from dropping hot water, i cut and burn myself often but I do have to cook sometimes, its scary! Stopped using an oven a looong time ago. First 1 level cspine surgery went great, but if you have an H.M.O. …good luck with a referral. You’ll be tossed back and forth to E.R.to primary, to painmanagement like a ping pong ball. Went through this with first surgery in 2003…Dr s are now tgeir own lawyers, and patients need to go to medical school. You need a P.P.O. to get healthcare for the last 20 years here in the state of CA. No more patient advocates, I found tgat out be calling a “sort of” patient advocate person. “You are being recorded” in order to find out you have no advicate. Violation of patient privacy acts to keep the social worker safe. Hmm…
To save you the trouble of having to give the same answer repetitively, therefore I won’t list a full panel of my symptoms & just as a CYA, I am NOT asking for medical advice, or a diagnosis, but rather a broad general textbook explanation for how clinicians would typically treat C5-C6, C6-C7 moderate right lateral canal narrowing and cord deformity with moderate right foraminal narrowing, in the beginning stages when the discs become painful and limb & finger pain becomes apparent? Do patients in their early 40’s typically have degenerative issues of this nature?
Suffered from mild cevical stenosis for decades, before it cost me my job, control of my fingers in right hand and i could not hold my head up without extreme pain in the shoulder . An operation on C6 C5 C4 alleviated the condition . Im left with numbness in right hand and the entire upper right side of my body has shrunk slightly when compared to the left . If any one suffers from this condition the sooner you get it sorted the better
I have a c5c6 herniated disc it’s pressing on my spinal cord no nerve issues really maybe a tingle here and there but I can feel the pressure on what’s called the thecal sac I can’t do hardly anything this pain is very bad if I go for a car ride or try to exercise it gets worse like a flair up I’m hoping I’m a surgical candidate because my life is essentially over I’ve done nerve blocks c3-c6 both sides of the neck and I could still feel the spinal cord pressure/compression/indention on the ride home 😢😞
I had an mri done last year results were c56 moderate stenosis. To the left.Cervical spondylosis and l5 disc degenerated. Diagnoses early DDD. Been going to physio bit not seeing enough results yet. I feel lopsided generally and when I walk. I have a problem with knee inflammation particularly the right knee. Could tmd cause any of the above. I am female 56 yrs and this all started around 2 years ago. Although had a small short lasting period re my neck in my early 40s but seemed to resolve. Your article was fantastic
I was told my low back Stenosis is mild. I’ve have pain, stiffness for decades but about a year ago started having some weird balance issues when walking, mostly changing direction, like my brain isn’t communicating with well with my feet. I have knee buckling intermittently that doesn’t feel structural in nature. I thought the balance thing was due to Tinnitus so I didn’t make the connection until perusal this article. I’ve had facet L4-L5 injections for a few years. They last about 2 weeks. I had rf ablation, same facets, about a year ago with the right side completely failing-only thing that happened was incredible burning pain in right hip and buttocks for a few months. I’m limited in the PT exercises because I have a poorly healed compression fracture of T12 and a herniated lumbar disc that responds poorly to some bending/twisting exercises. Because the diagnosis is “mild” Stenosis it doesn’t seem like I have any options for lasting pain relief or better mobility. My last MRI was a year ago.
I was rear ended a few years ago. I was waiting to turn off the highway into my drive and a car driving 60mph hit me. The girl did not brake, full force impact. Today I have sever pain and pressure in my neck as well as my lumbar. Pressure becomes too intense that I can’t sit, stand, or lay down. Nothing works. Neck pressure makes my vision blurry. I am searching professionals to help me. It will be a long process and hopefully I will feel better than I do. Thank you and God Bless
This is so me. Can I come see you please? My thoracic is also taking the brunt of this. I’M 67 and been stuck is WC California and they all want to prove I’m faking it. I’m living in a system of much needed help. I settled a few months ago just to use the income for second oppenion. HELP ME TO HELP CA TO FIND COMPLETE TRUTH AND STOP FOLLOWING ME!
I have this. And . Long term neck pain hand numbness. Dropping things a lot and falling quite a bit. I also have that pinky ring finger tingling numb. I can’t look up for long periods of time with out sharp pains thru my upper back to neck. I have all those same issues you have mentioned. It’s even really rough to drive too. I’m only 45. I see a neuro surgeon this month.
I’m in a small town in WA where there are no back specialists. I have moderate and severe areas bilaterally, in 3 different places on my neck. Whereas PT has always worked for me in the past, I feel as though I’m worsening now, and I have two weeks of PT left. The double steroid injection caused a muscle injury, and I now have pain in a area I didn’t before. Arms/fingers/ neck have massive pain. Are you seeing patients out of state?
Your articles are the very best! Although you do mention laminectomies’ being done without fusion, I can’t seem to find any articles about outcomes or really anything about them. All articles are about fusion. On March 8th 2023 I had a Posterior Cervical Laminectomy of C3 to C7 but no Fusion. I can’t find any articles or explanations of this being done without fusion. You would do well to make one. More people than you think would watch them.
I have all these symptoms and have two different doctors with two different opinions. My MRI has three ruptures and says I have serious spinal cord flattening. I’m 64 and have had 10 surgeries on my lumbar spine, fused from my sacrum to L-1. I am loosing fine motor function in my hands. Thank you for this information because you have helped me make my Final decision to solve my situation.
Hey doc I was in an car accident back in 2018 some of the stuff you talk about here I have specially the bad balance when walking due to weakness in my legs not so much in my arms as there very active I have mild c6-c7 foraminal stenosis I went to a specialist in australia where I live and he told me no your issue sounds like neurological issues I also have mild lumbar spine stenosis if there is any hope for a treatment I’ve been living 5 years with this issue starting from 2018 gradually getting worse some days are better some worse and the pain has gotten inside my shoulder blades I can no longer sleep on my back if we can get in contact I can show you all my X-rays see if this is my cause or if my specialist is right with the neurological part ❣️ would appreciate a reply
Wish all doctors where this smart. I have stenosis in my neck since 2016. Have had all the pain he mentioned and all the doctors except the one I recently went to said nothing is wrong. The recent doctor saw my issues did disc replacment in c6 and c7. That took away my trap pain in my shoulders. Still have issues from issues with c3 and c4 but my pain is more manageable now. All the pills, therapy and anything else I tried did nothing.
Can anyone explain my CT scan report There is short segment (1.8cm) narrowing of distal rectum ( at S2/S3 level), however no obvious enhancing mass seen at this region. Small and rest of the large bowel loops appear to be normally disposed with normal calibre and wall thickness with no evidence of abnormal narrowing or dilatation seen. Omental and mesenteric shadows reveal no abnormality.
SIR ID LIKE TO SEND YOU MY MRI. IV BEEN TRYING TO FIND YOU EVER SINCE I SAW YOUR article MONTHS AGO. I EVEN PUT OFF MY C3-C7 FUSION SURGERY BECAUSE I REALIZED MY SURGEON WASNT AS QUALIFIED AS WE NEEDED. HOW CAN I CONTACT YOU JEFFREY? IM IN HOUSTON TX….. PLEASE PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU CAN. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. JAIME RICHARDSON PORTER TX.
Question, Yes to years of neck pain on and off, balance and trouble walking, But could breathlessness be a symptom? Her pulmonary MD said nothing seems wrong with (mothers) lungs but gives her cortisol inhaler and oral anyway in case it is from inflammation of the bronchial. It only comes on after walking abit or being overly excited.
Your office call answering girl kelly,continued to repeat the words”we have no handouts” I am offended, as I do not need or want handouts therefore sending me Instructions to my very heavily guarded email my not be appropriate very, RUDE receptionist kelly I think I will compare elsewhere in hind sight,you cannot always believe or trust you tube articles especially coming out of Florida.
I no longer have a cervical curve. The only symptom I don’t have that you described is the wasting. I was told not to worry about the arthritis & cracking my neck does all on its own. They didn’t want to do an MRI until I went through 12wks of PT. I refused for someone to mess with my neck without an MRI.
I had a bad car accident back in 1986 which changed my life dramatically. I had pain and headaches everyday. But dealt with the pain by going to chiropractors and later pain doctors. I saw a spine surgeon in Houston, Texas about 3 years ago and he told me I had cervical stenosis in C3 and C4 and C5. He told me I should have surgery at that time (if not things were just going to get worse) but after viewing this type of surgery on UTUbe I decided to wait it out until something better came along. I saw yours recently and have to say I think I could do this one w/o being scared to death. Only problem is how long would I need to be in Florida to see you and do follow-up? Is there someone else you would recommend in Houston, Texas to perform the surgery? I really think I need it now because it is starting to effect my bowel and other parts of my body.
Wish i had a doctor like you. I was thrown from, dragged and crushed by a small train that derailed. Shattered from head to toe. Lots of nerve damage. workers comp insurance never ever treated me for migraines and chronic pain. I nearly died from my injuries many times through suicidal ideation, blood clots in leg, and severe chronic pain. Decades of abuses by medical professionals here in Canada. And of course having our medical and legal rights stolen from us Canadians by the government legislation ensures we die in pain and poverty and stress. 42 year survivor of medical torture and insurance fraud in Canada .
You should see mine. I’ve had 2 neck surgerys. I have 4 spacers and 2 rods and all the metal that goes with it. I have severe neck pain now. I do have some movement. The last one was from a man running me and my walker over with a electrical shopping cart. They went though the front and back from c2 to t 2. I have lower and middle back pain and two scared to have more surgery from deteriating dicks.
Hi thank you for providing this information. Do you have a article on early management? In 2016 I had CT which did not show spinal cord compromise. Just had an MRI 2021, and the spinal cord at C5 is flattened plus spinal fluid loss. I have no neurological signs yet apart from neck pain, so wondered what I can do for prevention.
Thank you, I’ve had 12 lumber surgeries/fusions. Now my neck is aching, tingling down both arms usually when I wake up. My balance is also off, don’t know if this is part of it but ringing in my ears and I’ve lost a great deal of weight. My doc said on my MRI I had multiple bulges and stenoses. Said not to worry however I am should I get another opinion ?
I have spinal stenosis cervical, thoracic, and lumbar my PMD sent me to orthopedic and all he wants to talk about is the lumbar and my bulging disc initially wanted to give me a facet injection at my initial post MRI visit and I said I think I’m ok not to get it now can I come back if it’s worsening again. The orthopedic said sure but when I went back few months later he said he didn’t think the pain was from the disc and said maybe muscular to do Therapy. I stretch every day multiple times to keep going. Sometimes it helps sometimes it’s worse.
This is a very important procedure and you never know who to trustI would like someone to reach out to me cuz I do need some type of procedure probably and this looks like a great Place but I’d like to talk to someone who’s been through it that would recommend it that’s not afraid to share cuz it’s so important my email [email protected]
Dr. Cantor, greetings from Alberta, Canada! I have a two-fold problem…c 5/6 & espeically c6/7 foramenal narrowing/stenosis, but I also have L5,S1 bothering me…with left leg/glute pain and/or numbness reaching into the calf. I literally just learned about a new technique called “Vertiflex”. -Does this only help with the lumbar spine or can this also be used for the issues with the neck as well? Here in Alberta, they only offer lameectomies and I really can see why I hesitated to begin with….your articles totally verify what I was thinking. Lol! *This would mean, I would have to pay for this surgery. May I ask, how much does this cost? I highly doubt I can afford it, but maybe I’m not aware of Alberta doctors having this training. -If you know of any, please let me know! You are truly incredible for what you are doing to help people and even if I cannot get mine treated, I am so thrilled for the people who can! ❤️ Sincerely, Mary
I just saw a neurosurgeon and this was in my follow up notes. Is it to late to me to get my neck fixed with your technique rather than fusion. I had ACDF surgery a year ago that did nothing except give me cord inflammation. Any help? “C4-T1 posterior decompression and fusion. However he did advise the patient that there would be significant risk especially in light of the fact that there is a large osteophyte behind the C5 vertebral body with significant compression of the cord. She would be high risk for reperfusion injury to the cord.”
I have just taken way to many hard hits, When I was about 7 or 8 years old I hit a brick wall on my bike. Now at age 58 the right side of my face is caved in it really wasn’t that noticeable when I was younger. Then I put a 1969 dodge charger 24 rows into a corn field, I broke 8 ribs my sternum and caved in the top of my head from hitting the windshield. on top of taking many other hits to my head all I can say is I’m still alive… I have not found a doctor that has helped me and I have just learned to live with my symptoms. Other then the times the pain gets so bad my wife has to take me to E.R. This is my life and I know that I’m not the lone ranger when it comes to living with pain. Thanks for your time Jeffrey, I find articles like this to be good info for folks looking for help….
I suffer from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. I have 3 disc herniations in the neck C4-c6. Has terrible nerve pain in the arms and still down to the feet. Had to wait 11 months to get c5 operated on with a new disc and rigid operation. I’m still in pain unfortunately. loss of sensation also in arms but mostly left side. I also have loss of sensation halfway across my face. I suffer unbelievably every day. I also have spondylosis and spondylitis L5-s1 and also sciatica lumbago. Disc herniation L4-L5. then I have modic type 2. I have loss of sensation on my legs and in the big toe they dare or refuse to operate on me despite all the pain. I sleep with a diaper every night. Must urinate on routine because I have genital burns in the groin and abdomen. 3 weeks ago I got a back shot again. The doctor does not want to do a new MRI on me and sent me to the physiotherapist again. Should I be worried about my health? I started to get sick at the age of 19 and am 41 years old today They op mig 3 times for they carpal tunnel syndrome 😭 But is was my neck that was the problem (I often stumble and lose my balance as well. when I go up the stairs, my legs do not want to keep up many times)
I had this procedure done between the C5 n C6 discs, except they didn’t use any screws or plates. I also had a cervical laminoplasty where they remove the tips discs from the back of the neck and expand the narrowed nerve canal for the nerve chord. I remember being SO terrified before surgery. It’s safer than you might think. I’m lucky enough to be all fine now. My heart goes out to anyone that has to get this done, or anyone who hasn’t had found relief after this procedure. Feel free to ask.
I had this procedure completed on the 24th march 2009, after 3 months in agony where my right arm had the nerve trapped by the prolapsed c7 disc( caused by arthritis). just after 4 weeks and i ‘m fine with no pain relief needed after the 1st two weeks, looking forward to going back to work on the 16th apiril 2009. The op sounds scary and i know everybody is different, but i would do it again tomorrow if needs be. ( i also have c5 and c6 diseased, good luck to you all and hope this might help
Wow! I am facing the same problem, my surgeon said the longer I wait to have this done, the more likely I will not get my full straingth back after the surgery. I was curious about disc replacement too, but have been told so many personal success stories with the fusion, that I agree it’s the way to go. I have started the pre-op process,I should have my surgery date soon.