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Posterior fusion c7-t1 and t1-t2. Thoughts?
I have been told I need a fusion on these two levels to correct my dizziness, clumsiness walking and loss of strength in my legs and left arm. The surgery needs to be posterior, I already am fused from c4-c7 and they can't go through the front. I am getting up in years and I am very worried about the recovery, I have heard it is very difficult and painful. Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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I've had fusion procedures done on my neck at the C5-C6 level, and 18 months later at the C7-T1 level. I can understand them having to do it from the back of your neck because it gets really crowded down near your esophagus and your wind pipe. If it'll relieve some of your problems, and you trust your surgeon I'd go ahead with it.
But that's just me.
I'm looking at fusion from C-5 through T1. I too am worried about it.
I had fusion and decompression C4-T1. Spent a week in ICU. Pain wasn’t bad as I had a morphine infusion and very good nurses. My situation was a bit different as it was emergency surgery after a car accident with 3 burst fractures and 4 weeks of complete quadriplegia. Immediately after surgery I was in traction held in place to my bed. Later had a halo traction. After hospitalization went to inpatient rehab. Besides the fear of being a lifelong complete quadriplegic (which was significant), I have to say the experience was not so bad. I was given adequate pain medication throughout. 80% of my nurses and therapists were truly exceptional and caring people (it makes all the difference). Also my care wasn’t rushed. When I left the hospital, I felt ready to go, same with rehab. I felt I had excellent care.
One of the things that really helped I think was that I was given Valium pre-op. So when I entered the OR I was relaxed and not afraid. Perhaps this is something to discuss with your surgeon.
Hi Laura and thank you for weighing in on my post. I really feel bad for what you had to go through, I hope you are doing well now. I appreciate you telling me about the recovery, that is what I am so concerned about, I am 74 and in pretty good shape. I have been told I am risking paralysis if I don't have the surgery which frightens me. I guess I will go through with and hope the pain is manageable. Thank you again and best of luck with your recovery.
@stsoso44 have you had your surgery? How did it go?
Hi, not yet, scheduled for next week.
@mng77
I too am elderly, female & 75 yr. of age, and am facing a C7-T2 surgery. I am having trouble finding a surgeon to offer me such a surgery. mrmabre could you give me , as a referral, the name of the spine center, city, and state where you had your C7-T1 surgery along with the surgeon's name?
Marj
@mng77 Unfortunately it's been 8 years since my last procedure, and the neurosurgeon who performed it has moved out of state. The city where it was done is Bellingham, Washington. IIRC the name of that practice is still 4 Corners neck and spine center. I had the surgery at ST. Joseph's Hospital just around the corner from them. I hope this helps.
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1 ReactionIt all depends on how healthy you are prior to surgery as to whether or not you’ll have a good recovery. If you’ve been debilitated and unable to perform most of your ADL’s and don’t exercise to maintain your strength then you might have a harder time and or an extended recovery period. My biggest suggestion if you have surgery is don’t ever stop performing your PT exercises after recovery. Now that you’ve fixed your bad back you’re still going to have a back problem and if you don’t maintain your core and flexibility as you age you will develop problems.