Cervical Posterior fusion from C-3 thru C-7. Had this?

I would see one of the top neurosurgeons in the area and let him or her review all x-rays CT scans and MRI's you have had after your fusion.The neurosurgeon will be able to tell you if you have fractures in your neck.It is a good idea to get a new opinion.Good luck.

Dear @myabby1 - I completely understand your swallowing issues post cervical surgery. I see from the doctor report you had an ACDF at C4-7. I had that exact procedure two weeks after you in 2023. I certainly remember struggles with swallowing - struggles that I still experience at times, today. Though nothing like what you describe.

I find I need to really chew my foods, I take much smaller bites, and there are still times where swallowing feels awkward. But your gag reflex responses seem much more involved. I'm certain you've tried all the above "basic" strategies?

The docs said all the hardware is in place? That's a good result. I also think it's a great idea to pursue the gastroenterology avenue. There may still be something in that area as exact diagnoses can be hard to come by in those situations.

Peri-implant fractures (PIF) are rare but can occur secondary to the hardware insertion you experienced from your ACDF. PIF can cause persistent inflammation which could explain some of your restricted throat and swallowing experiences. PIF is a real condition and the doc's report you attached seems to suggest you might have this?

How did the docs leave it with you? Did they schedule additional diagnostic tests? Follow-up discussion with you? My suggestion would be to doggedly pursue getting to a diagnosis and treatment strategy.

Best of luck and please share what you're planning to do.

Drs are just leaving it at that. No additional tests, nothing. Definitely need to find someone to help!

Never give up! No matter how frustrating it can be. You have to be your own best advocate and that requires a dogged approach to getting to a quality diagnosis.

I definitely won’t I’m doing what I can to get answers.
Thank you so much😊

C5-6 was done both front and back. I was hoarse for three weeks. I still have a scar although 19 years ago.

Everyone is different with their tolerance of pain. That was quite a surgery and it can take a long time. I still feel a little 'wobbly' in the neck/head after 14 months.

Resting and relaxing relieves the muscles, tendons, and ligaments up there. It is hard to recover from neck surgery because you are using it while trying to recover. Not like a knee or arm you can elevate.

So I have just gotten back from my cervicale injection appointment for a C6-C7 Diss herniation. Currently have c3-c6 fusion surgery (two operations ..one when I was 15...C3-c4 fusion - diving accident / 2nd was when I was 40 due to disk degeneration fusion was extended to include C3-c6.

I am assuming my forthcoming surgery consult will likely mean another fusion extended to include C7 disk.

Just wondering the incremental movement loss I can expect to have once they extend fusion to C7... I would say I have about 85%-90% movement with my current fusion.. C3-c6.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

@ckmerc Welcome to Connect. As far as head turning goes, most of that is done by C1 & C2 with some help from C3 & C4. I have a C5-C6 fusion and my head turning range is the same as before my surgery, but I can no longer touch my chin to my chest. With your fusion extending to C3, you understand how much head turning range was lost. I don't think you'll loose any more head turning fusing to C7, but perhaps some of the ability to twist at the shoulder, and you'll loose the ability to flex forward with any level of cervical fusion. I'm sure your surgeon can explain this.

Do you have a date scheduled for surgery?

Thanks for replying.. I am awaiting my surgical consult apt.

I can currently touch my chin to my chest with my current c-3 to c-6 fusion and lean head back pretty far.. but sounds like if I go to c-7 I may see some flex degradation?

I doubt cortisone injection I received today will make a difference…thus I hope I can have surgery done before end of year.

Just not sure how involved everything will be.. ie I have front and back screws and plates on c3-c6…. Will they have to take all of that off and reattach when going to C-7? God I hope not

Chuck

The only thing I can say is try to stretch gently but consistently every day look online , specifically on YouTube to see what other folks are doing as far as relief for certain areas in the back by stretching. I found if you do consistently stretch some of these surgery areas may respond to some relief. Just be very gentle and mindful. Once again, I use castor oil on areas in the spine that hurt along with a small tens machine frequently. After talking to other people, it seems less surgery you can prevent on your spine the better results as they have to cut through and possibly damage many nerves during these procedures. I hope the best for you ,peace and healing.