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

Yes .., I had neck fusion Feb 2023 in Grand Rapids, MI.. my pain got worse after neck injections for pain … I think my surgery went well but those injections made my condition worse … pain and discomfort daily …

I had an anterior/posterior 12hr cervical fusion from C3 to T3. It took 3hrs to take the previous fusion out. I ended up with a CSF leak and was in the hospital for 10 days. Any one else have this experience and how long did it take to get back to normal.

Hello,
32yo M. Struggling with many issues following cervical spine fusions. Looking for help and advice or anyone that can relate. 4 years ago started as cervical spinal cord injury from C4-5 herniation. Had C4-5 anterior fusion. Fusion failed, then had posterior laminectomy and fusion at that level. Disc below herniated then had C5-6 anterior fusion also. Immediately following surgery and for the last 4 years I have been experiencing constant nausea and vomitting. Been to multiple ENT doctors and gastro doctors. Have completed 2 barium swallow tests came back fine. Endoscopy came back ok with them noticing scar tissue from throwing up all day every day. Had multiple CT scans of abdomen came back fine. Current gastro doctor thinks it could be gastroparesis or vagus nerve damage. Going in a few weeks for gastric emptying test and will update on results. Has anyone experienced this following spinal cord injury and anterior fusions? Now onto my other current issues and symptoms. Ever since the initial surgery I have also had severe chronic neck pain. I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. Tried PT, spine injections, medication etc. Nothing manages the pain. I have permanent leg weakness and spasticity from the spinal cord injury. Now I am experiencing new hand and arm weakness and numbness and tingling in fingers. Continuous headaches and dizziness. Pain into shoulders. Obvious range of motion and movement issues including balance and even walking. At this point is it very difficult to do much of anything including basic day to day things. This has led to mental health issues at this point. I am on medication for that and everything else now. Neurologist performed nerve study on my arms and legs and all results pointed to continuing cervical spine issues. Last MRI was 9 months ago and showed C3-4 central disc protrusion effacing thecal sac and cord. C6-7 mild central disc protrusion indenting thecal sac but not cord at that time. My symptoms are significantly worse now. Next MRI is in a coulple weeks and will update on that also. The past 4 years it have been absolutely debilitating. Also very very frustrating when no doctor I have seen is willing to help or even be compassionate about any of my problems. I have been told “just deal with it” countless times and its really depressing since I cannot do even basic tasks. If anyone can relate to any of this I would really appreciate to talk and get any insight. Thank you!

@dzottola
Do you have a family/friend support system? Did you have an accident that caused your initial spinal cord injury at c4-c5? Do you know why the initial fusion failed?

I have had 2 cervical (c5-c6 in 2022 and c6-c7 in 2025) and 1 lumbar spine (l3-l5) surgeries and have some spinal cord compression injury due to delayed diagnosis/treatment. This is called degenerative cervical myelopathy. I have many of your symptoms and a mid 50s female. My spine issues started in my early 40s and I have a narrow spinal canal congenitally which makes all degeneration cause me issues.

You may want to get new doctors who do not dismiss your symptoms caused by spinal cord compression injury which in many cases can be permanent. If they had what they had, they would not want to be told “just deal with it.”

Here is what AI said about your c3-c4 and c6-c7 levels and MRI results from 9 months ago.

The findings you've described indicate issues with the cervical spine, specifically at the C3-4 and C6-7 levels.

C3-4 Central Disc Protrusion
A central disc protrusion at the C3-4 level means that the intervertebral disc is bulging outwards towards the center of the spinal canal. This protrusion is effacing the thecal sac and the spinal cord, which suggests that the bulging disc is pressing against these structures. The thecal sac contains cerebrospinal fluid and surrounds the spinal cord, so any pressure here can potentially lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or neck.

C6-7 Mild Central Disc Protrusion
At the C6-7 level, there is a mild central disc protrusion that is indenting the thecal sac but not the spinal cord. This indicates that while there is some bulging of the disc, it is not severe enough to compress the spinal cord itself. The indentation of the thecal sac may still cause discomfort or neurological symptoms, but the absence of cord compression is a positive sign.

Implications
Symptoms: Depending on the severity of the protrusions, symptoms can vary widely. Some individuals may experience no symptoms, while others may have pain, tingling, or weakness.
Management: Treatment options may include physical therapy, pain management, or, in more severe cases, surgical intervention. It's essential to consult with a healthcare provider for a tailored approach based on symptoms and overall health.

Hello,
32yo M. Struggling with many issues following cervical spine fusions. Looking for help and advice or anyone that can relate. 4 years ago started as cervical spinal cord injury from C4-5 herniation. Had C4-5 anterior fusion. Fusion failed, then had posterior laminectomy and fusion at that level. Disc below herniated then had C5-6 anterior fusion also. Immediately following surgery and for the last 4 years I have been experiencing constant nausea and vomitting. Been to multiple ENT doctors and gastro doctors. Have completed 2 barium swallow tests came back fine. Endoscopy came back ok with them noticing scar tissue from throwing up all day every day. Had multiple CT scans of abdomen came back fine. Current gastro doctor thinks it could be gastroparesis or vagus nerve damage. Going in a few weeks for gastric emptying test and will update on results. Has anyone experienced this following spinal cord injury and anterior fusions? Now onto my other current issues and symptoms. Ever since the initial surgery I have also had severe chronic neck pain. I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. Tried PT, spine injections, medication etc. Nothing manages the pain. I have permanent leg weakness and spasticity from the spinal cord injury. Now I am experiencing new hand and arm weakness and numbness and tingling in fingers. Continuous headaches and dizziness. Pain into shoulders. Obvious range of motion and movement issues including balance and even walking. At this point is it very difficult to do much of anything including basic day to day things. This has led to mental health issues at this point. I am on medication for that and everything else now. Neurologist performed nerve study on my arms and legs and all results pointed to continuing cervical spine issues. Last MRI was 9 months ago and showed C3-4 central disc protrusion effacing thecal sac and cord. C6-7 mild central disc protrusion indenting thecal sac but not cord at that time. My symptoms are significantly worse now. Next MRI is in a coulple weeks and will update on that also. The past 4 years it have been absolutely debilitating. Also very very frustrating when no doctor I have seen is willing to help or even be compassionate about any of my problems. I have been told “just deal with it” countless times and its really depressing since I cannot do even basic tasks. If anyone can relate to any of this I would really appreciate to talk and get any insight. Thank you!

@dzottola
You are not alone. Depression due to chronic pain and loss of function and quality of life is to be expected and you are so young. My hope is you have a support system and are getting therapy from someone who specializes in mental health tied to chronic pain/illness that affects quality of life.

Hello,
32yo M. Struggling with many issues following cervical spine fusions. Looking for help and advice or anyone that can relate. 4 years ago started as cervical spinal cord injury from C4-5 herniation. Had C4-5 anterior fusion. Fusion failed, then had posterior laminectomy and fusion at that level. Disc below herniated then had C5-6 anterior fusion also. Immediately following surgery and for the last 4 years I have been experiencing constant nausea and vomitting. Been to multiple ENT doctors and gastro doctors. Have completed 2 barium swallow tests came back fine. Endoscopy came back ok with them noticing scar tissue from throwing up all day every day. Had multiple CT scans of abdomen came back fine. Current gastro doctor thinks it could be gastroparesis or vagus nerve damage. Going in a few weeks for gastric emptying test and will update on results. Has anyone experienced this following spinal cord injury and anterior fusions? Now onto my other current issues and symptoms. Ever since the initial surgery I have also had severe chronic neck pain. I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. Tried PT, spine injections, medication etc. Nothing manages the pain. I have permanent leg weakness and spasticity from the spinal cord injury. Now I am experiencing new hand and arm weakness and numbness and tingling in fingers. Continuous headaches and dizziness. Pain into shoulders. Obvious range of motion and movement issues including balance and even walking. At this point is it very difficult to do much of anything including basic day to day things. This has led to mental health issues at this point. I am on medication for that and everything else now. Neurologist performed nerve study on my arms and legs and all results pointed to continuing cervical spine issues. Last MRI was 9 months ago and showed C3-4 central disc protrusion effacing thecal sac and cord. C6-7 mild central disc protrusion indenting thecal sac but not cord at that time. My symptoms are significantly worse now. Next MRI is in a coulple weeks and will update on that also. The past 4 years it have been absolutely debilitating. Also very very frustrating when no doctor I have seen is willing to help or even be compassionate about any of my problems. I have been told “just deal with it” countless times and its really depressing since I cannot do even basic tasks. If anyone can relate to any of this I would really appreciate to talk and get any insight. Thank you!

DAMN, that is a lot to deal with at such a young age. I've had 2 fusion procedures done on my neck, at the C5-C6 level, and then 1 1/2 years later at the C7-T1 level. They were performed by 2 different neurosurgeons at 2 different hospitals due to my first doctor's retirement. They were done when I was in my mid to late 50's, and I'm 66 now. What you're going through after having surgery on your neck and your doctor's responses to your pain is completely unacceptable IMO. I wouldn't let that surgeon touch me again if I were you.
Did they use a piece of your own bone during the procedure, or was it from a donor cadaver? Both of mine were done with a donor section of bone, and my recovery was basically "normal", whatever normal is. Since you're only in your 30's, I would've assumed you'd have the same kind of results. Like someone asked earlier, why did the fusions fail in the first place? I'd ask for a copy of your new MRI and take it to another neurosurgeon. Having a doctor basically tell you to"deal with" the results of his surgical performance is unprofessional. My neurologist told me the same thing after seeing him several times over the course of 3 years of tests, with nothing to show what the root cause of the neuropathy in my feet was. But there's a huge difference between a neurosurgeon and a neurologist.
Neuropathy can't be cured, only treated, but spinal problems like ours can be if it's done soon enough and properly. I would definitely get another opinion.

Hello,
32yo M. Struggling with many issues following cervical spine fusions. Looking for help and advice or anyone that can relate. 4 years ago started as cervical spinal cord injury from C4-5 herniation. Had C4-5 anterior fusion. Fusion failed, then had posterior laminectomy and fusion at that level. Disc below herniated then had C5-6 anterior fusion also. Immediately following surgery and for the last 4 years I have been experiencing constant nausea and vomitting. Been to multiple ENT doctors and gastro doctors. Have completed 2 barium swallow tests came back fine. Endoscopy came back ok with them noticing scar tissue from throwing up all day every day. Had multiple CT scans of abdomen came back fine. Current gastro doctor thinks it could be gastroparesis or vagus nerve damage. Going in a few weeks for gastric emptying test and will update on results. Has anyone experienced this following spinal cord injury and anterior fusions? Now onto my other current issues and symptoms. Ever since the initial surgery I have also had severe chronic neck pain. I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. Tried PT, spine injections, medication etc. Nothing manages the pain. I have permanent leg weakness and spasticity from the spinal cord injury. Now I am experiencing new hand and arm weakness and numbness and tingling in fingers. Continuous headaches and dizziness. Pain into shoulders. Obvious range of motion and movement issues including balance and even walking. At this point is it very difficult to do much of anything including basic day to day things. This has led to mental health issues at this point. I am on medication for that and everything else now. Neurologist performed nerve study on my arms and legs and all results pointed to continuing cervical spine issues. Last MRI was 9 months ago and showed C3-4 central disc protrusion effacing thecal sac and cord. C6-7 mild central disc protrusion indenting thecal sac but not cord at that time. My symptoms are significantly worse now. Next MRI is in a coulple weeks and will update on that also. The past 4 years it have been absolutely debilitating. Also very very frustrating when no doctor I have seen is willing to help or even be compassionate about any of my problems. I have been told “just deal with it” countless times and its really depressing since I cannot do even basic tasks. If anyone can relate to any of this I would really appreciate to talk and get any insight. Thank you!