OT - Neck Disc Fusion Surgery?

[broncosteven]

Anyone have this done or know of anyone who had it done?

I am looking at it for C2 and C3, up high in my neck.

I have degeneration in 2 discs and after I was rearended it aggravated a nerve hosing up my right side and arm around my trap.

Real world experience would be helpful as my wife and I consider this.

I want to be able to hold my kids, play guitar, and pitch again in my 12" softball league.

Thanks

Steve

[tnedator]

I know two people that had vertabrae fused, but I am not sure which ones. I know at least one of them had a bone graft taken from the hip. Both of them played golf afterwards (not sure how soon).

Unfortunately, I am not in touch with either of them regularly these days to ask for more details. They have both moved out of town. I think one was due to an auto accident (broken neck, wearing a halo and stuff) and the other was degeneration.

Sorry, that isn't much help.

[Hotrod]

I dont have anything to offer other then well wishes and a speedy recovery

[broncosteven]

I know two people that had vertabrae fused, but I am not sure which ones. I know at least one of them had a bone graft taken from the hip. Both of them played golf afterwards (not sure how soon).

Unfortunately, I am not in touch with either of them regularly these days to ask for more details. They have both moved out of town. I think one was due to an auto accident (broken neck, wearing a halo and stuff) and the other was degeneration.

Sorry, that isn't much help.

My Ortho guy said he used to take the bone from the hip, people would come back 6 months later saying their neck was fine but their pelvis hurt.

[tnedator]

My Ortho guy said he used to take the bone from the hip, people would come back 6 months later saying their neck was fine but their pelvis hurt.

I have had a bone graft from my hip for a write reconstruction. My hip hurt for MUCH longer than the wrist, and the wrist was no piece of cake.

[houghtam]

My brother had two discs replaced in his back as opposed to fusing them. I'm not sure if the same process is available for neck injuries, but if you do a google search for the Alpha Klinik (or Clinic) in Munich, Germany, that might be a good place to start. He went from numbness in several parts of his body to playing ice hockey and golf for the first time in 12 years.

It's very expensive, but it was the best money he ever spent. Drs. Hoogeland and Zeegers are world class.

[mhgaffney]

Anyone have this done or know of anyone who had it done?

I am looking at it for C2 and C3, up high in my neck.

I have degeneration in 2 discs and after I was rearended it aggravated a nerve hosing up my right side and arm around my trap.

Real world experience would be helpful as my wife and I consider this.

I want to be able to hold my kids, play guitar, and pitch again in my 12" softball league.

Thanks

Steve

I strongly suggest you check out and try other alternatives, FIRST. Surgery should be the absolute last resort.

We are very lucky these days -- in that extremely effective back treatment is available at a very modest cost.

I have back problems of my own -- and for years have relied on a method known as directional non force. It was spun off from standard chirpractic by a maverick doctor who decided there had to be a better way -- and he discovered there is.

Non force is a quantum jump beyond osteopathy and standard chirporactic. These highly motivated doctors work miracles every day.

I strongly urge you to check it out BEFORE you allow a surgeon anywere near your back. You could easily come out of surgery dead or in a wheel chair or in an iron lung for the rest of your life.

Non force treatments are very affordable -- ~$75/an adjustment.

You can check it out by going here:
http://www.nonforce.com/

Don't miss the tribute to the doctor who developed it:
http://www.nonforce.com/VanRumpt/index.html

Good luck!
MHG

[cabronco]

I know they use a material called BMP (abbrev.) in lieu of your pelvic bone in many cases. Its supposed to be stonger than bone. I may be looking at a cervical fusion c5/c6 down the road, but the worst of the 2 evils is my back , L4-S1 being fused. I elected not to have the fusion 3 years ago, but its at a point where I cant do much & rely on meds to get around. I know my spine Dr. said to me the cervical fusion has a higher success rate of fusing and less problems than a lumbar fusion. There's alot of info. from patients at www.healthboards.com.

[ol number 7]

I know they use a material called BMP (abbrev.) in lieu of your pelvic bone in many cases. Its supposed to be stonger than bone. I may be looking at a cervical fusion c5/c6 down the road, but the worst of the 2 evils is my back , L4-S1 being fused. I elected not to have the fusion 3 years ago, but its at a point where I cant do much & rely on meds to get around. I know my spine Dr. said to me the cervical fusion has a higher success rate of fusing and less problems than a lumbar fusion. There's alot of info. from patients at www.healthboards.com.
My wife had upper back surgery and came out really well. She jogs during the week and does palates and can do everything pretty normal. Mine is a little lower but not severe enough for surgery. A little Vicodin now and then and I'm good to go. Good luck

[yerner]

not sure what your condition is but i cant recommend reading everything from dr. john sarno highly enough. even if it doesn't help your situation directly i think it would help the recovery.

[cutthemdown]

good friend of mine had it lower on the back. Not sure exactly where at but it worked good for him. Recently he hurt his back and feared the worst. Went to doctor and the fusion held he had only pulled a muscle right by the repair. Doctor told him that fusion is probably the strongest part on your back you won't pull it loose.

[nickademus]

My wife is a Pt and honestly if you can avoid the surgery you should. find a PT who is trained in the McKenzie method it is specificly designed for neck and back issues. Surgery should be a last resort as there is no going back and a fusion will eventually destabilize the disk above and below the fusion resulting in further fusions.

[cutthemdown]

for sure unless you absolutely can't go on without surgery don't get it. Always try everything else first.

[richpjr]

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[chaz]

good luck steve...take your time making a decision

[TailgateNut]

I had my L-3 and 4 discs fused after a helicopter accident. The surgery went well (26yrs ago), but I still have problems to this date. Numbness in my right leg, stabbing pains in my back and additional problems with adjoining discs. My doctor recomended another surgery, but I'll be damned if I take the risk of the possible "side effects" unless absolutely necessary.
I also had a close friend (early 40s) who had surgery due to a degenerative disease, and she has lost all feeling below her waist and now has trouble walking w/o a walker.
Get several opinions before making your decision. Good luck to you!!

[Spider]

I had a lower back fusion , after lifting an engine block ..... Long story , but my sister in law had a neck fusion ........ she cant turn her head very far either direction... but we both are still working .......

[smalltowngrll]

I know nothing about this, but ironically enough, I just read an article in the local newspaper about a gal that went overseas to Germany and had some surgery done because it's only offered as experimental here in the states and not covered under insurance.

Not sure if it's related to what you are going through, but here's the link.http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081023/NEWS0107/810230311

[houghtam]

That's the same surgery my brother got.

As stated in the article, single-level disc replacement was just approved last year in the United States, previously regarded as "too risky"...the Germans have been doing it for upwards of 25 years. Not only is there very little risk, FULL recovery takes between 2-3 months in most cases. My brother not only walked from his surgery bed to his recovery bed on the same day, but he had the surgery on a Friday...we were walking around downtown Munich on Monday, no lie. According to his doctor, my brother "could get in a car accident at 200 mph...he would be dead, but his disc would be fine."

Again, I'm no surgeon and I don't know if this applies to your neck problem or not, but it wouldn't hurt to check it out.

[Los Broncos]

I feel for you man, they wanted to cut me after my car wreck some years back, I said no way.

But having a bad L-1 is no fun at all, it would of been worse if I would have went with surgery.

[broncosteven]

I had a lower back fusion , after lifting an engine block ..... Long story , but my sister in law had a neck fusion ........ she cant turn her head very far either direction... but we both are still working .......

The Ortho guy said that I would lose 10% of my mobility which I am dealing with now.

I went to 2 hockey games this week, Wednesday and Saturday. I am in a lot of pain today.

It is going to be a tough choice.

I want to find out more about disc replacement over fusion. They won't do it if I have a lot of degeneration in the bone/vert.

I am going to schedule the 2 procedures he wanted done and then take the results down to Rush here in Chicago. I have been dealing with this since the accident in May.

[nickademus]

Hey do what you got to but I would seriously recomend a McKenzie therapist My wife is one class away from having her certifacation for this discipline. Look your Ortho guy is going to tell you to get it done its what he does trust me my Dad is an Orthopedic Surgen. check out the link and if there is someone you can see for a look before you get cut in any way do it! http://www.mckenziemdt.org/ the worst thing that could happen is you are out the innitial consult fee for the therapist but you know that Surgery is your best option.

[cabronco]

The Ortho guy said that I would lose 10% of my mobility which I am dealing with now.

I went to 2 hockey games this week, Wednesday and Saturday. I am in a lot of pain today.

It is going to be a tough choice.

I want to find out more about disc replacement over fusion. They won't do it if I have a lot of degeneration in the bone/vert.

I am going to schedule the 2 procedures he wanted done and then take the results down to Rush here in Chicago. I have been dealing with this since the accident in May.



Have you had any cervical esi's done ? I was looking at a cervical fusion, but have got 6 months relief from last injection.

[broncosteven]

Have you had any cervical esi's done ? I was looking at a cervical fusion, but have got 6 months relief from last injection.

I have had 3 of them over the last 2-3 months. The 1st one did nothing, a week after the 2nd one my hand and arm started spasming but that cleared up about 2 weeks later.

I did start to get some relief after the 2nd shot, I was able to fly in for the Aints game and OM weekend but still had a lot of muscle pain.

It has been 3 weeks since the 3rd, I went to a blackhawks game last night and am hurting today.

[broncosteven]

I am going under the knife on Wednesday.

They are going to fuse one level at C5. I might have to have the surrounding levels done later. Sucks that they have to go in from the front and move my voice box and esophagus (s/p?)

If I bite the big one honor me with a beer while listening to Edith Piaf's Non je regrette rien, Beatles "in my life" or anything Beethoven.

My Brother posts here, he can post updates if he wants I am hoping to be home before kickoff Sunday.

Either way it has been fun boys and girls, go Broncos!

Steve

[Sassy]

Best of luck Steve!
Thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery!

[Crushaholic]

My thoughts will definitely be with you on Wednesday, Steve...^5

[Bronco Yoda]

Good luck Steve. We'll all be pulling for a safe outcome and speedy recovery!

[orange 4 life]

coming into the conversation late, but i'd be happy to give you some advice and be an ear for you.

ive had multiple back surgeries including a fusion, and i can relate to your pain and your dilemma over what to do.
send me a pm and we'll chat. all the best,

jake

[Garcia Bronco]

Steve, skip the surgery and take up Yoga. Or have it, but take up yoga. You'll thank me. Maybe not at first, but eventually you'll thank me. :)

[Dutch]

Hope all goes well for you. I had C4 & C5 fused after a motocross accident in Japan back in 1989. Things came out well enough for the Marines to keep me and send me off to DStorm1 in '90. I get "tweaks" from time to time now, but overall nothing serious (I am 42 if this helps). Again, good luck.

[TailgateNut]

Good luck with the "procedure". Hope all goes well and your recovery is quick and successful.
A good friend of my wife's is also going in for a fusion tomorrow. My doctor is doing the surgery. Dr Janssen is one whos' diagnosis and surgical expertise I trust. I can definately recommend him to anyone in the Denver area who has spinal problems.

Once again, best of luck to you.

[broncosteven]

All went well,

I lost my voice, should be a few weeks but the surgery wasn't as big a deal as I thought. I got all freaked about them moving my airway but it all went well.

Still having spasms but hoping that will go away after the bone starts to fuse.

Thanks for all the kind words and suggestions.

[Sassy]

All went well,

I lost my voice, should be a few weeks but the surgery wasn't as big a deal as I thought. I got all freaked about them moving my airway but it all went well.

Still having spasms but hoping that will go away after the bone starts to fuse.

Thanks for all the kind words and suggestions.

Good to hear!
Best thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!

[oubronco]

god speed

[TailgateNut]

Good to hear all is well.

[Dutch]

Great to hear BroncoSteven. I've been thinking about you for a couple of days now and was going to ask if you had it done. Follow the Doc's rehab instructions and be patient and all should be good. Merry Christmas, Bro'. Glad it went well and you are done with it, I know the stress of making that decision and the time leading up to the proceedure must have been real stressful on you and your's. Now you can relax and recoup while enjoying the holidays.

[broncosteven]

Great to hear BroncoSteven. I've been thinking about you for a couple of days now and was going to ask if you had it done. Follow the Doc's rehab instructions and be patient and all should be good. Merry Christmas, Bro'. Glad it went well and you are done with it, I know the stress of making that decision and the time leading up to the proceedure must have been real stressful on you and your's. Now you can relax and recoup while enjoying the holidays.

You hit the nail on the head.

Spending my days watching DVD's from the Library, just sitting and reading for hours at a time (forgot how refreshing it was to read), listening to some music and sleeping.

[Sodak]

Didn't Sterling Sharpe have this procedure done?

Good luck to you Steve. Have a speedy recovery.

[BroncoBuff]

Tough pal, best wishes for you.

I do have two highly recommended words of advice: Second Opinion.

[BroncoBuff]

Guess my last post was a little late ... but I'm glad you're feeling well :thumbs:

[broncosteven]

Guess my last post was a little late ... but I'm glad you're feeling well :thumbs:

I got the 2nd. He concurred.

And GB I am going to take up Yoga once I can move my neck again.