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Experience with C3 to C7 Fusion... feedback please

Spine Health | Last Active: Nov 22, 2024 | Replies (17)
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@ckmerc

Thanks for replying.. I am awaiting my surgical consult apt.

I can currently touch my chin to my chest with my current c-3 to c-6 fusion and lean head back pretty far.. but sounds like if I go to c-7 I may see some flex degradation?

I doubt cortisone injection I received today will make a difference…thus I hope I can have surgery done before end of year.

Just not sure how involved everything will be.. ie I have front and back screws and plates on c3-c6…. Will they have to take all of that off and reattach when going to C-7? God I hope not

Chuck

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Replies to "Thanks for replying.. I am awaiting my surgical consult apt. I can currently touch my chin..."
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Oct 19, 2024

@ckmerc Chuck, If they need to put a plate from C6 to C7, it's likely that a plate already on C6 would be in the way and may be removed. If those levels are fused and stable, the current plate may not be needed. That's a question to ask. I think you will loose some flexion and extension range. It depends on how much the mobile levels are doing, and it can put extra wear and tear on the functional levels. I try to be gentle with my neck and hope to avoid more fusion surgery. The more levels that are fused, the greater the stress on the segments at each end of that.

Sometimes the cortisone injection takes a couple days to take effect. Are you going to seek a second opinion?

Jennifer

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