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I could use some feedback from anyone who has had cervical fusion.

Posted by hutchdw70 @hutchdw70, Jan 12, 2025

Hi. I’ve had a spinal fusion from T11 on down to S1 one year ago. I still have leg weakness and balance issues. My surgeon has been giving my cervical spine in the area of C6 and 7 the stink eye for over a year and stated that my leg and balance issues, more than likely, are due to that area being narrow. He would go through the front of my throat. Help me out understanding how well this usually goes and what discomfort I will experience. This surgery just seems creepy to me.

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jayjay1926 | @jayjay1926 | Mar 21 10:58am
In reply to @bajjerfan "I made it through with no painkillers so you can too. I took one oxycodone just..." + (show)
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I made it through with no painkillers so you can too. I took one oxycodone just to see what they were like and never took another.

Same with lumbar procedure. I may have been taking Tramadol at the time, but I don't think that it helped any.

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@bajjerfan
Thank you so much. for responding. I truly appreciate it.

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erdocsmom | @erdocsmom | Mar 22 9:44pm
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@jayjay1926 I didn't think pain after cervical fusion surgery was that bad. The pain meds nauseated..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor @jenniferhunter

@jayjay1926 I didn't think pain after cervical fusion surgery was that bad. The pain meds nauseated me, so I didn't take them at all after I left the hospital. I did just fine. It was exhausting. Ice helps. If you fear pain, it makes it worse. I accepted that this was healing pain and that was a good thing. All of the spine symptom pains that I had before surgery were gone after surgery when I woke up. Think of that as progress when you get there.

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@jenniferhunter I am having cervical confusion in three weeks. How will I ice with that hard collar on?

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Mar 26 5:37pm
In reply to @erdocsmom "@jenniferhunter I am having cervical confusion in three weeks. How will I ice with that hard..." + (show)
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@jenniferhunter I am having cervical confusion in three weeks. How will I ice with that hard collar on?

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@erdocsmom You should be able to slip a cold pack under it. It won’t be tight on your throat. It will just hold the position of your head to keep from bending or turning. That may be easier if you lay down with the collar.

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sweaver61 | @sweaver61 | Mar 26 6:54pm

I had ACDF in 2019. C4-C7 Everything has gone well until now. I have adjacent segment disease and even though the fusion is perfect the disc above and below are messed up. I had an ablation on the C3, but so far 4 weeks in I am no better. Dr said to give it full six weeks before we decide it didn’t work.

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