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

@orloffjr
Wow y

@orloffjr
Wow you sound like me but you are a little worse, I am 57 also. I feel and fractured c5 with 3 ruptured and 5 bulging discs in 2006. I had fusion with decompression c5-c7. In 2016 the pain became unbearable and I returned to the original surgeon who wanted to fuse me from C-1 to T-3 with spinal revision because of degeneration and non-fusion C5. But before agreeing I injured my back and I have 4 pinched nerves in lumbar spine L4-L5,S1. For that I was seeing a different surgeon who suggested doing a spinal revision C4-7 and fusion C1-C4. But at the checkup post surgery he never did the revision surgery saying it looked ok !! That was January 2025, and I have not gotten any better since ! Now I have severe pain and muscle loss in right arm. Following test and imagining I now will have posterior cervical fusion with decompression C4-C7 in Less than 12 months from my last surgery ! I have to do it do to pain severe loss of muscle and limiting use of my right arm ! Surgery is scheduled for January 16th

I had posterior fusion C-3 thru C-7, C-3 thru C-4 didn't fuse as the surgeon put the screws into the facet joint I had a surgeon do an anterior fusion at C-3 thru C-4 with a metal cage with oblique screws it worked and my neck fused.My first surgery was an anterior fusion C-4 Thru C-7 and it didn't completely fuse.That is why I had the posterior fusion.Also had a Laminectomy done when the posterior fusion was done to give me more clearance on my spinal cord in the cervical spine.

Hello @etownbill
My apologies for the late response. Just happened to hop on Mayo website for the first time in a long time. Are you still scheduled for the 16th? I had a posterior surgery similar to what you mentioned. C4 to T1 fused this past August. I didn't think the recovery was as bad as several of the anterior surgeries I have had. My main issue pre-op was a very compressed cord(Cervical myelopathy) at C4/C5 and C7/T1. It was affecting my legs and balance but we caught it pretty quick and all is better now. Fusion seems to be growing. I am using a bone growth stimulator. It is good that you weren't fused from C1 down as your neck range of would be completely gone. Also when I first had neck issues 30 years ago I had about 90% loss of strength in one arm but am happy so say I got it all back in about 6 months after the surgery. Take care and let me know how you are doing.

I had my first cervical surgery in 1982 with c1,c2 wired and fused posteriority after a head on collision with an intoxicated driver . My second surgery done posteriority involved a fussion from c1 - c7. This surgery was performed in 2006. For quite a few years I have been in excruciating pain. I am now in physical therapy trying to avoid a third surgery . Will PT help me or cause more harm ?

I have yet to have surgery, but it will soon be scheduled. I have Cervical Radiculopathy in C4-C5, C5-C6 due to congenital foraminal narrowing of my spine. I was diagnosed 8 years ago and have had 3 physical therapy sessions; all of which only caused more pain. My therapists have declared that it will not be helpful. Everyone is different, though, so I don't know how it will affect you. I would ask what all options are available. I have had pain injections to no avail as well. I don't know if you're looking for pain management or something else, but the only thing I haven't tried yet other than surgery is the spinal cord stimulator. I shouldn't say "yet," because it's not something I'm interested in. I've heard others try chiropractors and massage. I may be way past what that can do. I'd ask your surgeon or pain management doctor what they suggest.

I have had 2 surgeries on front of neck and the third I just had done December 17 2025. Before surgery I was on prescription strength neproxon at 500 MG 2x a day seem to help me some as over the counters didn't seem to do anything for me also us heating pad quite a bit. I also have had a fusion done at l5-s1 it is 26 years old now and gives me trouble now and then but so much better as it was bone to bone when I had it done. Came out of this surgery with c5 palsy.

@celtic
Yep that's what I look like they removed c3-t1 then did the fusion. Still in recovery with c5 palsy in left arm. But the pain relief i got with this surgery was great.

@orloffjr
Just had c3-t1 done on 12-17-2025 from the back it is a harder recovery than the front but it goes away in time I walk every day for healing and pain control never knew how much pain I was in till now that it's gone.

@cheri63
I have gone to pain management for several years but the injections only worked in conjunction with pain meds. I no longer do either as there is a limit to how many trigger point or faucet injections one can receive and the alternative of morphine seemed somewhat daunting.