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Ortho wants fusion of C6 to C7 not replacement

Posted by catharty @catharty, 5 days ago

Okay, 61 yr old, female, fairly active (like yoga & pilates) though haven't been able to do those things because my left arm goes numb if there is pressure on it, or it moves in a certain direction. No neck pain. X-rays and MRI definitely show a bulging disc more than likely from me fracturing my left shoulder in 2021 (ski accident), no bone spurs or other bone growth around that area. Anyway, my ortho is pretty adamant that I should have it fused and not replaced. Everything I've read, so far, states that fusion can cause issues with the other discs becoming compressed over time and needing to have to go back for more fusions. I've not heard as much about disc replacement. Both also seem to have metal screws/plates involved and I'm allergic to stainless steel (at least touching the outside of my skin). Any comments welcome.

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krispine | @krispine | 5 days ago

Are they recommending titanium? I have 4 in my neck from C3-C7 (since 2021). Complete non-issue. Not even aware of them. I work out every day--do not seem to impair my activities.

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mrmacabre | @mrmacabre | 5 days ago

I have 2 titanium plates in my neck as well with no complications. In my case(s) they've used a piece of donor bone, first at the C5-C6 level, and 18 months later at the C7-T1 level. Both have completely fused, and the only issue is not being able to turn or tilt my head as far as I used to. I can still drive without any difficulty.

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | 3 days ago

@catharty You can have a fusion done with NO hardware and stay in a neck brace until fused. I did this and it took 3 months to fuse. My range of motion is almost the same as before my surgery, but I can no longer touch my chin to my chest. My head turning range is the same and that is mostly done by C1 & C2 with some help from C3 and C4. I have done a lot of myofascial release to loosen scar tissue and maintain functional movement. Muscle spasms can shift and turn my vertebrae causing increased pressure on my spine, so I work that out. I do what I have learned from physical therapists to maintain function. I am now 10 years post op and have not had any issues with other levels. I believe that it is because I work to release tension as it happens and there is no rigid hardware on my spine. Bone has a little bit of flexion ability which is compromised if there is more rigid hardware. It took 3 months in a neck brace for the fusion to set and it was worth it.

I too was worried about reactions to metals. It turned out I was right because 4 years after spinal fusion, I broke my ankle and became the owner of titanium surgical plates. I developed chronic hives, pain and pigmentation over the area. I had the plates removed and I am metal free again.

If you can't find a surgeon willing to do this for you, I suggest contact my surgeon at Mayo Rochester, Jeremy Fogelson if your insurance will let you go to Mayo in network. This is how they did fusions before the spinal plates came into use. Artificial discs will also expose you to foreign materials. That is why I chose not to do that, and I knew my ability to move my neck would not be compromised very much because of how low it was in the cervical stack of vertebrae.

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kjoed53 | @kjoed53 | 3 days ago

Have you had a second opinion? If you're seeing an orthopedic now maybe you want to also see a neurosurgeon.

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catharty | @catharty | 2 days ago
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@catharty You can have a fusion done with NO hardware and stay in a neck brace..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor @jenniferhunter

@catharty You can have a fusion done with NO hardware and stay in a neck brace until fused. I did this and it took 3 months to fuse. My range of motion is almost the same as before my surgery, but I can no longer touch my chin to my chest. My head turning range is the same and that is mostly done by C1 & C2 with some help from C3 and C4. I have done a lot of myofascial release to loosen scar tissue and maintain functional movement. Muscle spasms can shift and turn my vertebrae causing increased pressure on my spine, so I work that out. I do what I have learned from physical therapists to maintain function. I am now 10 years post op and have not had any issues with other levels. I believe that it is because I work to release tension as it happens and there is no rigid hardware on my spine. Bone has a little bit of flexion ability which is compromised if there is more rigid hardware. It took 3 months in a neck brace for the fusion to set and it was worth it.

I too was worried about reactions to metals. It turned out I was right because 4 years after spinal fusion, I broke my ankle and became the owner of titanium surgical plates. I developed chronic hives, pain and pigmentation over the area. I had the plates removed and I am metal free again.

If you can't find a surgeon willing to do this for you, I suggest contact my surgeon at Mayo Rochester, Jeremy Fogelson if your insurance will let you go to Mayo in network. This is how they did fusions before the spinal plates came into use. Artificial discs will also expose you to foreign materials. That is why I chose not to do that, and I knew my ability to move my neck would not be compromised very much because of how low it was in the cervical stack of vertebrae.

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