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Does any one have problems with fusion surgery in the neck?

Spine Health | Last Active: Jul 27, 2021 | Replies (24)
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@grandmar

Hi!
I had 2 discs replaced in my cervical spine, C5/6.
Although I am so much better, I do get pain down my left arm and
headaches that wake me when I sleep.
I get injections which help about 2 to 3 times a year.
This may not sound good, but it is so much better than before.
My surgeon offered to remove the new discs and do a fusion, but as long as
the injections work, I see no reason. (At least at this point.)

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Replies to "Hi! I had 2 discs replaced in my cervical spine, C5/6. Although I am so much..."
upstatecountrygirl | @upstatecountrygirl | Feb 24, 2021

Hi @grandmar
I have had 2 neck surgeries, one was 10 years ago (if my calculations are correct) and the other about 3 years ago. The first one was a fusion at C5-6 then the worst case happen, the discs above and below ended up bad as well. This left me with 2 fusions and an artificial disc. My surgeon at the second surgery told me that eventually I will end up having the artificial disc fused as well because they don’t last a lifetime. I was very hard on my body when I was young and didn’t realize what I was doing to my spine. I now have spinal stenosis in all areas of this spine, bulging discs, with pressure in parts of the spinal column. I deal with headaches, arm and joint pain on the left side along with stiffness and muscle spasms. I wish I had your courage of getting shots but I am scared to death of anything going in my spine (a cortisone shot in my elbow was bad enough). I commend you for your bravery!

Thank you for sharing your experience in a positive note.

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