Cervical Spine Operation

Posted by Donna Mc @dmccartney53, Aug 17, 2023

Can anyone share any post surgical advice after a C4, 5, &6 operation to relieve a pinched nerve? Fortunately I don't have any pain but I do not have full use of my left arm and my spine is only going to degenerate more over time if I don't have the operation. It is scheduled in two weeks on August 29. The surgeon will be going in through the front of my neck as I am told this is the least invasive/fastest recovery method. If any of you have recommendations for after cervical spine surgery care, I would appreciate it. This includes how many days to have a 24 hour person in the home after surgery, how much pain to expect, when walking and turning my neck will become easier, and any other helpful tips. I will be allow to drive after 2 weeks. Thanks! Donna

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@kelsch00

Hello,
I had artificial disc surgery (mobi-c) at the c5-c-6 and c6-c7 levels almost 5 years ago. Now having recurring nerve pain and burning in arm. Saw a new surgeon who thought the discs may be the wrong size so when I move the discs slide and are probably hitting the nerve root. I did PT and took steroids to help but nothing has helped. Does anyone know what they may do next as far as treatment?
Thank you

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@kelsch00 Hello. I want to welcome you to Connect. I’m responding on my phone so I can’t search and post one of our discussions about Mobi C failure. If you use the search, you can find it. The failure happened when the 2 halves slid out of position. There is some imaging that shows this. Those would be questions to ask, and you may want a new opinion from a doctor not involved with or connected to where you had surgery. This doesn’t make sense to me to say it’s the wrong size. How long ago was your surgery?

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@kelsch00

Hello,
I had artificial disc surgery (mobi-c) at the c5-c-6 and c6-c7 levels almost 5 years ago. Now having recurring nerve pain and burning in arm. Saw a new surgeon who thought the discs may be the wrong size so when I move the discs slide and are probably hitting the nerve root. I did PT and took steroids to help but nothing has helped. Does anyone know what they may do next as far as treatment?
Thank you

Jump to this post

A fusion is the usual recommendation. Unfortunately, artificial disc replacements don't seem to last. It's important to see a neurosurgeon who does revisions of cervical disc replacements now.

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Cervical fusion at 3-4, 4-5..
It went bad.. Taking Lyrica 200mg 3x daily with no relief. Pain doctor wants to do nerve blocks. I would like to know what's wrong in my neck before they start putting needles in my neck.

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@jenniferhunter

@kelsch00 Hello. I want to welcome you to Connect. I’m responding on my phone so I can’t search and post one of our discussions about Mobi C failure. If you use the search, you can find it. The failure happened when the 2 halves slid out of position. There is some imaging that shows this. Those would be questions to ask, and you may want a new opinion from a doctor not involved with or connected to where you had surgery. This doesn’t make sense to me to say it’s the wrong size. How long ago was your surgery?

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@kelsch00 This was the discussion about Mobi C failure that I mentioned.

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/

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