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Spinal Fusion Surgery – Good or Bad Experiences?
Spine Health | Last Active: Nov 23, 2025 | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
@dlydailyhope Yes I have seen a neurologist for the headaches and he wants me to take anti seizure meds and yes I have had an MRI and MRA which both showed normal results. I am seeing another spine surgeon tomorrow but I think he will just say he agrees with my previous surgeon since they are familiar with each other. My most recent MRI of cervical spine shows some substantial changes but the surgeon says not to worry about them he doesn't see anything that would cause my new symptoms along with the headaches - heavy legs tingling fingers feet numb neck pain that comes and goes. I am 80 years old and was active and now I find it hard to do anything. About all I can do to take care of daily needs and rest because I get so tired now.
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@mayr
All of your symptoms matter and the surgeon should not dismiss new symptoms and worsening quality of life. Your symptoms are similar to what I had and I had my spinal cord being injured with the compression. Injury of spinal cord at the cervical level can become permanent if not decompressed. This compression is called degenerative cervical myelopathy.
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@mayr
It sounds like you are being dismissed/discriminated against due to your age and being a female. Can you take someone with you to help you advocate for your care and improved quality of life?
Do you have any symptoms of heaviness/clumsiness in arms/hands/fingers, noticed a change in your handwriting (sloppier than normal), dropping things more often, bladder/bowel control issues, heaviness in legs when walking?
Have you read your MRI report in detail to see what is called out as impressions by the radiologist? It should show if you have osteophytes/bony overgrowths, herniated discs, vertebrae slipping over the one beneath, compression of spinal cord/nerve roots and the levels affected? If not, please get access to this report from the place you got your MRI from and have family/friend review it with you and look up medical terms to help you understand what it all means. You can also ask ChatGPT what your results mean in normal terms.
Have you had a MRI of your lumbar spine, too?