Neuropathy from lumbar stenosis?

@robson78 Yes, bone bank bone is donor bone. It is cleaned and sterilized so there are no cells remaining in it. It is just the mineral matrix that is left over and your bone cells will grow into it to populate it. If he shaves off any bone preparing the surfaces, that is used to seed bone growth in a space left inside the bone spacer for that purpose. A typical ACDF puts a bone spacer in from the front. It's not as wide as vertebrae. I can understand why he wants a 2nd spacer in back. He has to make sure that all the surfaces will match up when he does this after removing the artificial disc. Sometimes there is a grove that an artificial disc slides into when they prepare the surface. Will he need to do an incision in the back of the neck for that? Make sure to discuss specifically that you want this with no metal hardware added so you are both on the same page. Did he schedule a surgery date?

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@jenniferhunter yes he said the incision in the back would be the size of a straw something really small and the bone block in the back he said is the size of a finger nail. Yes no hardware no cages no screws I had that discussion with him yesterday. I haven’t scheduled yet I wanted to but I’m also scared of it lol he also suggested I should do the level below but I’m not sure

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@robson78 Here are a few things to think about. What levels are these? What condition is the level below looking like? Did he give you a prediction of how long it would be for the lower level to get worse if you don't fuse it now? If he does 2 levels, would all of that be without hardware? Did he explain how much motion you loose by fusing these 2 levels as opposed to only one? I have C5/C6 fused and it isn't very different than before fused because that doesn't restrict head turning.

I understand the fear part, but you know a lot about this already since you've had a disc replacement. You'll need patience for the recovery and it will be worth it. After 3 months in a neck brace, muscles are weak and will tire out and you'll need some rehab therapy. I was fearful too and learned how to conquer it. What concerns you the most?

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@jenniferhunter 5-6 and 6-7 yes that both levels would be without hardware. Not sure what concerns me I think everything in general about surgery just going under it gives me anxiety which I think the Mobi-c is causing some of that from the metals in it and they he more I think about it that it could be causing problems for me the more anxiety I get

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@robson78 I can tell you that I am 7 years out from my fusion, and there have been no other discs that are bad. I am hearing some cracking now and then, but no pain and no other symptoms. I keep my core strength up and work on releasing tension in my neck and chest because it does pull on my spine. Sometimes surgeons add in a second fusion and there is more money in doing that, so they need to explain why they think this should be done. I kind of thought my 6-7 looked bad, but my surgeon only did 5-6. Sometimes less is more because it can promote adjacent segment disease by stressing other discs, but there are a lot of factors. The length of the fused levels can influence if other discs get more wear and tear. Hardware plates can cause more stress if they rub on other discs. The fusion shrinks as it heals and new bone is formed as it absorbs the matrix and regenerates it's own.

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@robson78 I can tell you that I am 7 years out from my fusion, and there have been no other discs that are bad. I am hearing some cracking now and then, but no pain and no other symptoms. I keep my core strength up and work on releasing tension in my neck and chest because it does pull on my spine. Sometimes surgeons add in a second fusion and there is more money in doing that, so they need to explain why they think this should be done. I kind of thought my 6-7 looked bad, but my surgeon only did 5-6. Sometimes less is more because it can promote adjacent segment disease by stressing other discs, but there are a lot of factors. The length of the fused levels can influence if other discs get more wear and tear. Hardware plates can cause more stress if they rub on other discs. The fusion shrinks as it heals and new bone is formed as it absorbs the matrix and regenerates it's own.

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@jenniferhunter I have talk to the surgeon today and he feels that the level below should be done since it’s already bulging and putting pressure in the spine. I asked again about the no hardware and he said that This is being compensated for in your situation by use of posterior fusion/small bone blocks.

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@robson78 I'm not sure I understand your surgeon's response to your question about doing fusion surgery without hardware. He is recommending 2 levels, and perhaps that would need hardware, but it's not clear. If you are not sure, you may want to ask for clarification.

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@jenniferhunter I believe he’s saying both levels no hardware with the posterior bone block in facet also no hardware

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@robson78 If that is the plan you agree to, what I recommend is to speak with him in the pre-op room right before you go into surgery and reconfirm what he is doing. They do a lot of cases, and if this is different from what he normally does, you wouldn't want him to do something else while you are under the anesthesia. You will need to sign an authorization anyway. He may be bringing that to you or it may be an assistant, but have the conversation with the surgeon. I did this before my surgery, and at the time, I also thanked my surgeon for helping me. That is the best way to go forward and feeling grateful.

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