Complete neck fusion

Posted by fgsanford @fgsanford, Feb 13 7:08pm

I previously had a fusion of c5 c6 c7 were they had to go in remove 2 of the damage disk and replace them with bone from my hip that surgery was done thru the front of my neck, now I am told I need a complete fusion of the neck were they will go in from the back remove some bone spurs and pull the herniated disk back into place the put a plate and screws in fusion all my neck does n e body have n e info for me on this matter at all

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dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Feb 14 9:20am

@fgsanford
I have C5-C6 fused after ACDF surgery and need C6-C7 also done via ACDF due to a herniated disc pressing on my spinal cord.

What levels do you now have bone spurs? Have you reviewed your MRI reports? Do you have any disc bulges or herniated discs? Do you have cervical myelopathy and compression of your spinal cord/nerve roots? Were you told you have degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis? Why would they need to fuse your entire cervical spine?

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Feb 14 2:26pm

@fgsanford Welcome to Connect. It is common for a second cervical surgery to be done through the back of the neck because they don't want to create more scar tissue in front where there is already scar tissue from a prior surgery. Are you going to seek other opinions? I agree that it does sound like they are proposing a lot of surgery. I have not heard of a procedure to put a disc back into place and lock it with hardware. A fusion would require a disc to be removed and replaced with a bone disc either from the patient's pelvis or from donor bone, and the fusion happens when bone grows together with this from the vertebrae above and below it.

Did you get a detailed explanation of what is wrong? Did the surgeon show you on the imaging what is wrong and explain how it will be addressed? Do you trust this surgeon's opinion and recommendation? Generally speaking, it is good to get several opinions when making important decisions about spine surgery.

What are your thoughts?