C2-T2 posterior cervical spine fusion with posterior spinal instrument

@epmc24 - Like a rubber-match, if you have two medical opinions and they are not aligned (sounds like you're right to be concerned about doc #2...) - the best next step is a tie-breaker (hopefully) 3rd opinion.

They are recommending a pretty significant surgery for you and I would want to get the diagnosis as right as possible before proceeding. You're correct to be cautious. Along my journey, I encountered a medical specialty I hadn't been aware of before: physiatrist. A physiatrist is essentially a "pain doctor". They can read X-rays, MRIs, take histories and draw some conclusions about what might be done as far as corrective action. They are not pre-disposed in one way or the other regarding surgical solutions. I found that doctor's perspectives to be very helpful for me.

Keep digging, asking questions, and being your own best advocate. My best...

Thank you for the information. I did some research and it turns out the pain center that I go to has a Physiatrist. I have met him. He does the shots in my back when my doctor orders the shots. I have an appointment with my doctor Tuesday and will be discussing this.

Due to this extensive surgery I hope whom ever you use is part of a large teaching center with multiple professionals? Also make sure the surgeon has done a bunch of these a year and not just a few. Gain all the confidence you require from as many docs as necessary to satisfy your concerns.

So Iam now 36, I had a four level decompression and fusion C3-C6 posterior after being told suffered from myelopathy, I did seek a second opinion but threw the same facility and was told the surgery was needed... I literally wish I seeked more opinion and looked up reviews/researched more , it failed I had hardware pull out and needed a neck reconstruction, and now I'm C2-C7 back and C3C7 front I suffer from sever thoracic swelling/pain now, I just can't stress enough reviews speak volumes do you research on your surgeon, I don't know your situation but having a posterior surgery is tormenting you are unable to bend in almost everyway.

@nike05 I wanted to welcome you to Connect. I'm sorry you're having difficulty since your surgeries. Has your provider offered any physical therapy to address the swelling issues? Is this a recent surgery that perhaps needs more time to resolve the swelling?

I am so sorry to hear this. I had an anterior cervical discectomy w fusion at C4 & C5 in 2011. It helped my arm pain, numbness and tingling. In the ensuing years I began to develop increased neck pain around the sides and back of my neck, shoulder discomfort also. Sometime before Covid hit I had two more neurosurgery opinions at two different facilities and both surgeons saw my then newest imaging and recommended posterior approach (from back of neck). Explained what my problems were/are. I chose to say no for several reasons. I have pain daily but in my 70’s, was a RN, and just basically tired of surgeries even though all were needed and helped. Plus I live alone, have dogs. I just can’t deal with it anymore! I take a small and stable dose of narcotics before bedtime so pain doesn’t keep me awake. Can’t take NSAIDs because of GERD and acetaminophen seems to do nothing for this kind of pain.

Hi, and yes its just when I met my new surgeon I was in bad shape I was very swollen from the first surgery and found out I was also dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome due to a cervical rib on top of the failed fusion..., But I'm 2 years post op the neck reconstruction and one year thoracic, and yes I'm going in to lymphatic therapy for the swelling.

Iam sorry to hear what you are going through as well! I know its not easy to live in pain daily especially when its also affecting your sleep, makes you irritable and just anxious, and I understand you with being tired of surgeries it takes a lot out of you and you have your babies at home which must be a great comfort, I just have such an issue with posterior hardware, I'm fused posterior C2-C7 and I cant even look at my feet or stomach anymore and I'm two years post op that surgery, but I know everyone has a different situations, if you don't mind me asking, did they offer you home nurse for the beginning after surgery?

@nike05 I also have TOS, but I did not have a cervical rib. I have worked with a PT who does myofascial release therapy that helps. The TOS makes muscles in one side of my neck tighter and it starts rotating my cervical vertebrae from time to time. I do stretches and get it back in place. This was a lot worse before my C5/C6 anterior fusion. The other thing that helps is stretching the surgical scar with the MFR techniques to release the tightness. Your therapist may be doing that in your sessions.

I presume that you had surgery to remove cervical ribs?

No home nurse, you mean through insurance or? I just came home and dealt with dogs myself. Figured out how to feed and water them myself after both back surgeries!
My last back surgery was just in 3/23. I had a house sitter for dogs while in hospital and she stayed on another 4 or 5 days after I came home this time. (I felt the difference between being age 61 the first time and 73 this last year!) it helped a lot, I could just sleep as I needed and she just took care of the dogs! Paid it myself but well worth it!