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Post-Cervical Fusion Issues

Spine Health | Last Active: 3 hours ago | Replies (12)

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Profile picture for mrmacabre @mrmacabre

DAMN, that is a lot to deal with at such a young age. I've had 2 fusion procedures done on my neck, at the C5-C6 level, and then 1 1/2 years later at the C7-T1 level. They were performed by 2 different neurosurgeons at 2 different hospitals due to my first doctor's retirement. They were done when I was in my mid to late 50's, and I'm 66 now. What you're going through after having surgery on your neck and your doctor's responses to your pain is completely unacceptable IMO. I wouldn't let that surgeon touch me again if I were you.
Did they use a piece of your own bone during the procedure, or was it from a donor cadaver? Both of mine were done with a donor section of bone, and my recovery was basically "normal", whatever normal is. Since you're only in your 30's, I would've assumed you'd have the same kind of results. Like someone asked earlier, why did the fusions fail in the first place? I'd ask for a copy of your new MRI and take it to another neurosurgeon. Having a doctor basically tell you to"deal with" the results of his surgical performance is unprofessional. My neurologist told me the same thing after seeing him several times over the course of 3 years of tests, with nothing to show what the root cause of the neuropathy in my feet was. But there's a huge difference between a neurosurgeon and a neurologist.
Neuropathy can't be cured, only treated, but spinal problems like ours can be if it's done soon enough and properly. I would definitely get another opinion.

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Replies to "DAMN, that is a lot to deal with at such a young age. I've had 2..."

@mrmacabre
Thanks for your reply! They did use cadaver bones for all my fusions. I am not sure as to why the first fusion failed, but thats why they had to do the posterior fusion and laminectomy. C4-5 is stable now. And 5-6 fusion happened due to my continued degenerative disc disease which is what im now dealing with at c3-4 and 6-7. As to your neurosurgeon point, I completely agree with you which is why im having another MRI done next week and seeing a new neurosurgeon in november. Hopefully that one goes well!