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Cervical fusion of C3-C7 after L4-L5 and S1 - What to expect?

Posted by coachdavid @coachdavid, May 23, 2024

I had a fusion of my L-4, L-5 & S-1 one year ago this month. Pre-operatively I had bi-lateral sciatica in both legs. When I awoke in post-anesthesia I was pain free.

Unfortunately I have had neuropathy in my right foot & loss of sensory nerve function which has led to balance issues.

My recent MRI shows cervical spine impingement necessitating cervical fusion from C-3 through C-7. I am hoping this alleviates my balance issues & relieves my neuropathy.

What kind of recovery can I anticipate? The lumbar fusion was much tougher than I expected.

Thanks!

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burkesnh | @burkesnh | Apr 8 9:49am
In reply to @bonnie111 "Thank you so much for your replay. I really appreciate your feedback. The main thing I..." + (show)
@bonnie111

Thank you so much for your replay. I really appreciate your feedback. The main thing I have going against me is my age.

Jump to this post

Bonnie, don’t forget, I was 76! If that’s the only thing that’s holding you back, don’t let it!
Janice from Maine

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ozarkmama64 | @ozarkmama64 | Jun 17 6:24am

Almost 2 years ago I had Spinal fusion on L4 and L5, a year later still in alot of pain, my Dr said my S1 had gotten much worse during my year of recovery. We were working on scheduling surgery to fuse the S1 to the L4, L5 however My neck was also giving me issues. I had been mentioning it for several years . After discussing the neck problems, he put the S1 fusion on hold and we did the C4-C7. Still in pain he did another MRI. he said the S1 was fine now and didnt need surgery. yet Im still in alot of pain. When I asked him how this was possible that the S1 recovered in 2 and 1/2 months all he said was "I don't know'. Has anyone ever heard anything like this? Now I feel I need a new doctor. if thats all I get is " I dont know"

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1 reply
tallbackhip | @tallbackhip | Jun 17 3:49pm
In reply to @ozarkmama64 "Almost 2 years ago I had Spinal fusion on L4 and L5, a year later still..." + (show)
@ozarkmama64

Almost 2 years ago I had Spinal fusion on L4 and L5, a year later still in alot of pain, my Dr said my S1 had gotten much worse during my year of recovery. We were working on scheduling surgery to fuse the S1 to the L4, L5 however My neck was also giving me issues. I had been mentioning it for several years . After discussing the neck problems, he put the S1 fusion on hold and we did the C4-C7. Still in pain he did another MRI. he said the S1 was fine now and didnt need surgery. yet Im still in alot of pain. When I asked him how this was possible that the S1 recovered in 2 and 1/2 months all he said was "I don't know'. Has anyone ever heard anything like this? Now I feel I need a new doctor. if thats all I get is " I dont know"

Jump to this post

A doctor or anyone saying they don't know might be a positive, although it might be good to get information on the MRI image change in S1 and how your pain correlates. By correlate I'm referring to images, location(s) of pain, changes in therapy (PT, meds). Best wishes

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ozarkmama64 | @ozarkmama64 | Jun 18 7:08am

Ill have to get another doctor to review all the MRI's and CT scans. When I tried to get some info from my doctor he asked if I wanted to go see a "smarter doctor" and who did I want him to refer me to. He was very rude.

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