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C3-4-5 ACDF 10 years ago. Having fusion for C6-7. I'm confused.

Posted by rickyandval @rickyandval, 13 hours ago

I had an anterior fusion on C3-4-5 almost 10 years ago. C6 is pressing on my spinal cord and I must now have a C6-7 anterior fusion. Have seen 2 surgeons with 2 different potential surgical plans that have me confused. First surgeon said C6 MAY OR MAY NOT need to be anchored to C5. However, there might not be enough room between 5 & 6 to accomplish this. This surgeon is then suggesting possible removal of the metal cage connecting C3-4-5 and replacing it with I don't know what. The 2nd surgeon said C5 MUST be part of the game plan and possibly extend fusion of C6-7 to include T1, given the chance T-1 could cause trouble in the future. He explained nothing about the plate holding C3-4-5 but talked about building C5-6-7 and maybe T1 into the "construct", whatever that means. I have appointments to talk to both surgeons again and hopefully they can clarify their possible surgical plans.

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gently | @gently | 10 hours ago

ricky, I'm no help but
usually with an anterior lumbar body fusion they use a plate to stabilize the cage. The newer cages are ridged and are stand alone cages I don't know the surgical intention but sometimes they remove the plate and don't need to replace it. It is quite rare to remove the cage because it's usually imbedded in the bone.
https://www.genesismedicalplastics.com/markets-and-applications/spinal-implants/what-is-a-cervical-cage/.
\https://surgeryreference.aofoundation.org/spine/trauma/subaxial-cervical/basic-technique/anterior-plating
These links are for the images of the plate and cages.
I'm hoping you'll have a third opinion.

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rickyandval | @rickyandval | 4 hours ago
In reply to @gently "ricky, I'm no help but usually with an anterior lumbar body fusion they use a plate..." + (show)
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ricky, I'm no help but
usually with an anterior lumbar body fusion they use a plate to stabilize the cage. The newer cages are ridged and are stand alone cages I don't know the surgical intention but sometimes they remove the plate and don't need to replace it. It is quite rare to remove the cage because it's usually imbedded in the bone.
https://www.genesismedicalplastics.com/markets-and-applications/spinal-implants/what-is-a-cervical-cage/.
\https://surgeryreference.aofoundation.org/spine/trauma/subaxial-cervical/basic-technique/anterior-plating
These links are for the images of the plate and cages.
I'm hoping you'll have a third opinion.

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@gently
Thank you very much for your reply and especially for the excellent links you included. I learned some things I was totally unfamiliar with; such as the use of PEEK by many surgeons. Reading all that you sent me has provided me with facts I can use to ask better questions this Friday, when I see the surgeon I went to for a second opinion. I'm scheduled to talk to my surgeon on August 18. If I remain unsure about both surgeons, I have been planning to seek a third opinion, as you suggested.

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