Be careful with neck fusion surgeries! I have had c5/6 and c6/7 done one leads to another and another as it makes the rest of them weak and don't use your own bone plug, your hip will hurt more than your neck! My sugeon was going to do c4 and c5 and then he decided against it! Yes, you do have to live with pain and numbness, I still drop things but I don't want to end up paralyzed or unable to move my neck! Try to avoid any surgery at all costs unless it is a hysterectomy(lol)! Of course, this is the way I feel!
Sincerely,
sandy

I had a c4 and c5 neck surgery in 2002. I checked this out with others who had had hyerniated discs on a harvard medical school web-site I read the information and became aware of the risks.


One of my friends did not chose surgery...One of my friends had bone from her hip used to fuse the discs... And I got the titanium plate to keep the discs apart.


I am pain free at this time. We have superb neuro-surgeons here in michigan that have trained under Dr. Sheilds. Dr. Sheild trains surgeons all over the country, he is with the sheilds clinic of saginaw michigan chosing a doctor who knew what to do was easy for me. ,

the chioce for me was...Be paralyzed or get the surgery. I chose surgery. Let me know if you need further resources.


Ruby

Hi - I started having symptoms of severe pain over my left shoulder blade in Nov 2008. I had been having physiotherapy since August for a "postural problem" the physio did not perform a neurological assessment. The new pain symptoms were accompanied with tingling, weakness in my upper left arm; the pain got worse and worse. I used to horse ride so I assumed I had pulled something but got checked out by my phhysio Nov 11 this time she did a neurological assessment and sent me to my GP urgently. He signed me off sick and sent me for an MRI scan. This shows I have 2 disc herniations one at C5/6 which has herniated laterally impinging my spinal cord, the seocnd C6/7 has significantly compressed my nerve root. The MRI also shows I have cervical spondylosis in those discs (but not the rest of my spine). I was referred to a neurosurgeon who has advised me to have disc fusion using my own bone from my vertebrae and titanium plates. Am terrifed of this - currently I have few if any symptoms and no pain. My worries are the potential for the slight cord impingment to worsen - however he wasn't sure if this was a chronic herniation which would mean I have been flying, dancing, riding with this and no signs of spinal cord compression. The neurosurgeon tells me that the absence of any pain is a sign that the nerve root at C7 is damaged and that this damge can be reversed if I have surgery. I don't know what to do - I don't want the surgery. I am asthmatic and 43 years old. Beth UK

Looking for answers i had a fusion of c5-6 c6-7 in 2003 it is last week i got a soar throat it has now been 8 days i went to my family doc no sign of redness no strep.Went to an ent did a scope and found nothing.My throat is killing me.I am worried that a screw or the plate moved anyone have symtoms like this.

When I had my surgery done on my neck they entered the front of my neck..I was sore and hoarse for weeks, that was 2 years ago..I still hurt as one disc is not operable and it presses on a nerve that gives me severe headaches..Your throat will clear it just takes time..Eat light foods until the soreness goes away..