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Cervical Posterior fusion from C-3 thru C-7. Had this?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jun 19 1:52pm | Replies (96)Comment receiving replies
@orloffjr
Wow you sound like me but you are a little worse, I am 57 also. I feel and fractured c5 with 3 ruptured and 5 bulging discs in 2006. I had fusion with decompression c5-c7. In 2016 the pain became unbearable and I returned to the original surgeon who wanted to fuse me from C-1 to T-3 with spinal revision because of degeneration and non-fusion C5. But before agreeing I injured my back and I have 4 pinched nerves in lumbar spine L4-L5,S1. For that I was seeing a different surgeon who suggested doing a spinal revision C4-7 and fusion C1-C4. But at the checkup post surgery he never did the revision surgery saying it looked ok !! That was January 2025, and I have not gotten any better since ! Now I have severe pain and muscle loss in right arm. Following test and imagining I now will have posterior cervical fusion with decompression C4-C7 in Less than 12 months from my last surgery ! I have to do it do to pain severe loss of muscle and limiting use of my right arm ! Surgery is scheduled for January 16th
Replies to "@orloffjr Wow you sound like me but you are a little worse, I am 57 also...."
@etownbill I'd love to know how you are doing. I had posterior C3-C4 laminectomy in March 25 that did nothing to relieve arm pain or sloppy gait. Then had posterior decompression and fusion
of C3-C7 in August of '25. Now, about 8 or 9 months later I'm in constant neck and back pain with hand/arm tingling and burning and sloppy gait. Lots of ibuprophen and oxycodone and life is a challenge.
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Hello @etownbill
My apologies for the late response. Just happened to hop on Mayo website for the first time in a long time. Are you still scheduled for the 16th? I had a posterior surgery similar to what you mentioned. C4 to T1 fused this past August. I didn't think the recovery was as bad as several of the anterior surgeries I have had. My main issue pre-op was a very compressed cord(Cervical myelopathy) at C4/C5 and C7/T1. It was affecting my legs and balance but we caught it pretty quick and all is better now. Fusion seems to be growing. I am using a bone growth stimulator. It is good that you weren't fused from C1 down as your neck range of would be completely gone. Also when I first had neck issues 30 years ago I had about 90% loss of strength in one arm but am happy so say I got it all back in about 6 months after the surgery. Take care and let me know how you are doing.