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Severe central Canal Stenosis on MRI
Spine Health | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (6)Comment receiving replies
@jenniferhunter @dlydailyhope
Thank you.
I play racket sports and have always been a very active person. Haven't had any surgery until now so I am not sure about my body accepting titanium or any other hardware. We will have to see.
And yes, the white spot is in the cord, indicating myelomalacia.
I have decided / accepted that surgery is my only option.
But since two doctors have given different methods (spinal fusion vs Disc replacement ), i am not able to decide which one is the better option.
I would like to continue playing sports , "google" says disc replacement will provide a better range of motion post surgery. From the replies above, it seems like both have had fusion, which seems to be the more common option preferred by doctors?
I have sought a third opinion , for which my appointment is three weeks from now. I hope I dont have to go in for a surgery before that.
Replies to "@jenniferhunter @dlydailyhope Thank you. I play racket sports and have always been a very active person...."
@vennas217 This may help. The NFL will allow a player to play football after a single level cervical fusion. This was the case for Peyton Manning, the quarterback who left the Indianapolis Colts after the fusion, and then played for the Denver Broncos going on to the Superbowl. A 2 level fusion would have disqualified him. My surgeon told me that.
Also look into failures of artificial discs. There are some discussions here about failure of a Mobi C artificial disc. Screws can pull out, and the failures of the Mobi C I have heard about involved a sideways displacement or slipping of the 2 sides of it. If I remember correctly, I think the Mobi C is qualified for a 2 level replacement. Surgeons are trained by the manufacturers on how to implant their products, so you will find surgeons loyal to a particular design. That doesn't mean there aren't other good options, but you can only have surgery for a specific one of these with a surgeon who uses them.
Spine Health -"Would you consider this Mobi-C failed and what would be the next step?"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/would-you-consider-this-mobi-c-failed-and-what-would-be-the-next-step/
There is also an M6 artificial disc. This was in clinical trials at the time I had my spine surgery, but it was designed to create a more natural movement of the disk.
https://m6disc.com/
This discussion may be of interest.
Spine Health -"artificial disc replacement"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/artificial-disc-replacement/
With racket sports, you may be recruiting neck muscles when you swing if you are putting a lot of effort into it. If you did go with an artificial disc and it failed, a re operation would likely be a fusion to replace it. There are a lot of artificial disc manufacturers and it is worth looking up what they tell you about to find out how it works, and if that would be compatible with your wishes. It is worth discussing your desire to play racket sports with your surgeon.
This is a comparison.
https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/artificial-disc-replacement/artificial-disc-vs-anterior-cervical-discectomy-and-fusion
A lot is said about fusions increasing the stress on adjacent discs raising the risk of a future fusion surgery due to disc damage. Artificial disks are marketed as lowering the risk. There is truth to this, but adjacent segment disease may also happen with an artificial disc at a lower rate. It also happens to people who have had no spine surgery.
Hopefully, you'll learn more at your third consultation. Get as many opinions as you need to make an informed choice and to be comfortable with the surgical plan. You need to be able to get onboard and trust the surgeon 100% to have a good outcome.
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@vennas217
I have decent range of motion with fusion but there is risk for levels above and below fusion needing surgery again. I had fusion at c5c6 but now have a new herniated disc at c6c7 so may need surgery since herniation is going into central spinal canal and causing new compression of spinal cord and symptoms. Fusion may be needed if stability is needed to prevent too much movement. Your racket sports and activity level may have caused the disc issue but your surgeon will be best to determine if fusion or no fusion is best for your spine and activity level.