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Cervical fusion of C3-C7 after L4-L5 and S1 - What to expect?

Posted by coachdavid @coachdavid, May 23, 2024

I had a fusion of my L-4, L-5 & S-1 one year ago this month. Pre-operatively I had bi-lateral sciatica in both legs. When I awoke in post-anesthesia I was pain free.

Unfortunately I have had neuropathy in my right foot & loss of sensory nerve function which has led to balance issues.

My recent MRI shows cervical spine impingement necessitating cervical fusion from C-3 through C-7. I am hoping this alleviates my balance issues & relieves my neuropathy.

What kind of recovery can I anticipate? The lumbar fusion was much tougher than I expected.

Thanks!

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meg8 | @meg8 | May 30, 2024
In reply to @upstatephil "@meg8 - My experience may not be yours...but my 4-leve; ACDF was easier and faster in..." + (show)
@upstatephil

@meg8 - My experience may not be yours...but my 4-leve; ACDF was easier and faster in recovery. My 4-level lumbar work (though I'm glad I did it) was much more difficult.

One step at a time...

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Thank you! That is very encouraging.

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annette1960 | @annette1960 | May 31, 2024

I already had c-4 to c7 and had 3-4 done 12 -12-23 have spinal stenosis and he opened a decompression and I am still healing, had to have trigger point injections for pain

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | May 31, 2024
In reply to @kremer1 "I'm putting in questions and comments. I've posted in the past about L4L5 potential fusion surgery...." + (show)
@kremer1

I'm putting in questions and comments. I've posted in the past about L4L5 potential fusion surgery. I also have issues in the cervical spine, osteophytes and various stenosis from C2 to 7. I'm trying to determine if the cervical issues could be the cause of abdominal discomfort, but my PCP and first neurosurgeon say that it would not likely cause that. I'm seeing a gastric surgeon that did laparoscopic gallbladder surgery a year ago, on Tuesday. I'll ask him if he thinks there is a correlation, or if my abdominal discomfort could be abdominal adhesions. I'm putting off the L4L5 fusion until I find out about the abdominal issues. I've had two neurosurgeons review my MRI's, one says L4L5 fusion, the other says that fusion wouldn't help and that if I were his father he still would not recommend fusion. I'm getting a third opinion, in the works don't know when it will be.
Questions for upstatephil, janagain, and coachdavid: Any of you had any abdominal discomfort (cramping, sometimes pins/needles, sometimes feels like a strained ligament or muscle). Bowel is functioning fairly normal, but I'm not sure what "normal" is any more since before and after the gallbladder surgery. I just can't see a fusion surgery recovery time you all talk about given the abdominal issues I'm having.
I have a feeling that the cervical issues could be causing things, but trying to get an answer from any Dr. isn't easy.
From what I'm reading, the cervical surgery is a bit easier recovery than lumbar, but as others have said each person's journey is unique. Try to get the best advice and answers that you can with a Dr that you trust in a facility you also trust.

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@kremer1 After reading about your gall bladder surgery, it seems possible that you may have related surgery scar tissue that is tight that may cause your abdominal symptoms. I learned from my physical therapist about myofascial release therapy which can stretch out overly tight fascia and allow tissues to move, and also restore the fluid circulation. Here is a discussion where you can learn more. It may be something to try before you have further surgery. If this helps, you would have an answer. I have done a lot of myofascial release and it has a lot of benefits.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/

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1 reply
kremer1 | @kremer1 | May 31, 2024
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@kremer1 After reading about your gall bladder surgery, it seems possible that you may have related..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@kremer1 After reading about your gall bladder surgery, it seems possible that you may have related surgery scar tissue that is tight that may cause your abdominal symptoms. I learned from my physical therapist about myofascial release therapy which can stretch out overly tight fascia and allow tissues to move, and also restore the fluid circulation. Here is a discussion where you can learn more. It may be something to try before you have further surgery. If this helps, you would have an answer. I have done a lot of myofascial release and it has a lot of benefits.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/

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Jennifer,
Thank you for this information. I've found the YouTube site for this and will look into it. I think this is a better option than exploratory surgery to see if I have adhesions. I've also been able to change a gastroenterology appointment to next week to discuss this situation.
Thanks again, this is such a helpful site / forum for information and advice.

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coachdavid | @coachdavid | Jul 20, 2024

ADCF = anterior (approach, discectomy & cervical fusion ( of the vertebrae)

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alexis7 | @alexis7 | Jul 21, 2024

You may have already had the surgery as I am just now seeing your post (?) but just in case...I had L4-5 fusion in 2020 that caused chronic L5 nerve damage. I have an SCS to help with that pain. I had C3-7 ACDF the end of April and the recovery was nothing compared to the lumbar surgery. I took an occasional pain pill for maybe 3 days, really didn't have much pain and my pain tolerance is zero. The muscle relaxers made me dizzy so I didn't take them. The hardest part was not being able to ride in a car for a few weeks, felt isolated. I carefully walked a lot holding my husbands hand. I wore a hard plastic collar during the day for six weeks and then started PT. I have good side to side rotation and pretty good, but limited up down. Hope this helps and you have a good experience.
Regards,
Alex(is)

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morkat | @morkat | Aug 3, 2024

I have had the surgery you talk about. First two weeks very painful, then it gets better. I had a Miami J collar for 3 months, of course in the summer. Follow the directions your doctor gives you. you can't pick up more than 5 lbs.
Sometimes it is frustrating but remember all you went through to get it. It helped a lot, but it's not a magic bullet.
I think it may improve your current state, and at this point you don't have many options to consider. For me it took 3 months before I could return to work, but that was 2001 and 2003. There are always new developments in medicine. Try to be patient and use your time to do things you never have time to do, like coloring in an adult coloring book. Good Luck!

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paulameador | @paulameador | Jan 20 11:55pm
In reply to @janagain "@cachdavid - You are telling my story! Thank you for sharing and I look forward to..." + (show)
@janagain

@cachdavid - You are telling my story! Thank you for sharing and I look forward to the responses. Jennifer certainly has great advice. The Mayo message boards are full of shared experiences that have really answered a lot of my questions. I just found my surgery list, it's unreal.
2015: Left anterior foraminectomy C6-7.
2016: Lumbar Stenosis with neurogenic claudication 2017, XLIF with lateral plate to RIGHT laminectomy L3-
L4, L4-L5 Lumbar Stenosis , fusion 4-5, posterior decompression Lumbar 3-4 , Left to right. Translateral
interbodies .
2017: Fusion 4-5 Repair broken pedicle screw sitting on nerve and Lumbar 3-5 Lamenectomy.
2018: Went the the ER with acute bilateral low back pain with sciatica laterally unspecified MRI Lumbar
degerative disc disease. Spine surger for placement of Rods and pedicle screws.

2024: Multilevel Lumbar spondylosis L2-3 3-4 4-5 spinal canal decompression bilateral. Severe left sided neural foraminal narrowing of L5-S1. C2-3 to C7-T1 facet artriopathy and uncovertebral osteophytes with severe bilateral neural foramina stenosis. I can hardly keep up with all of the work that I've had. Fusion surgery coming up in June.

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I would love to connect with you and chat with you. Our surgeries match pretty close as my surgeries from 2005-2012 led to more surgeries in 2024 and now I am faced with horrific thoracic pain that worries me will need to be fused an there is several levels with disc dessication. Do you have the thoracic pain with having cervical and lumbar fusions?

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2 replies
coachdavid | @coachdavid | Jan 21 2:52am
In reply to @paulameador "I would love to connect with you and chat with you. Our surgeries match pretty close..." + (show)
@paulameador

I would love to connect with you and chat with you. Our surgeries match pretty close as my surgeries from 2005-2012 led to more surgeries in 2024 and now I am faced with horrific thoracic pain that worries me will need to be fused an there is several levels with disc dessication. Do you have the thoracic pain with having cervical and lumbar fusions?

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Fortunately I don't have thoracic discomfort or pain. My thoracic MRI is currently clean.

Best of luck to you.

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