Neck fusion going bad?

R

robordon

New Member
I had a neck fusion done 20 years ago to fix a shattered vertebrae. Surgery went well, doctor was supposed to be the top dog, no complications during recovery and quality of life was just like before.

Now, neck popped a few times, feeling prickly sensation in parts of the body and left side of my neck is sore. Aside from that everything else is fine, all things considered.

I know these fusions don't last forever so gonna go see a doctor again. Now the thing is they'll order an MRI, I can't get an MRI. I have a biventricular pacemaker and the tech people tell me that the lead behind my heart will heat up which is not good. Something about MRIs work at something something and it exceeds the something something of the lead. I need to call them to get specifics. Anyhoo, the pacemaker is MRI safe, just the lead is an issue.

I can do a CAT scan, those are okay but will it be good enough to see what's going on, I'll see what the doctor says.

Now my neurosurgeon that did the surgery is still around but up in years plus it's hard to see him. I understand he teaches at the medical school so he's very busy.

There is a highly regarded orthopedic surgeon that does spine and back surgery. Has a lot of training and credentials. He's very good at explaining and going over what he sees and what he can do and can't do. He was my wife's doctor.

So neurosurgeon or orthopedic spinal trained surgeon? I need to do some research and speak to the ones I have in mind.

This sucks! If it was an arm or a leg, eh, but lots of important stuff going on in the neck! I wasn't concerned the last time, good doctor and I was younger and stronger. Now at 69, not as spry as I used to be and this is more of a concern than my heart issues.

So anyone in the same boat, how's it working out for you? Not asking for medical advice just looking for other people's experience. Thanks for looking.
 

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I have a pinched nerve in my neck and have been living with that for several years now. They say it's due to a long ago car accident. Obviously, mine is not nearly as bad as yours - so all I can do is - kind of - relate and wish you wellness!!

🤗🤗
 
CaliS said:
I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I have a pinched nerve in my neck and have been living with that for several years now. They say it's due to a long ago car accident. Obviously, mine is not nearly as bad as yours - so all I can do is - kind of - relate and wish you wellness!!

🤗🤗
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Car accident? I had neck pain from a whiplash injury for several years. Luckily it was not a pinched nerve with tingling, just pain.
 

An aunt of mine has had many back surgeries. None have helped her. I think she has what they term a "cage" on her spine. She is in constant severe pain. Other people I know have had surgical spine (and other body part) manipulations and have not come out any better and some worse off than before, especially knee replacement. I would never let any surgeon touch my spinal area!
But don't let me influence any medical decision on your part. A qualified medical professional is best able to advise you.
 
I've always heard that spinal surgery is a last resort and not always successful. In my case the neck fusion was worth it given I was walking around with a shattered vertebrae.

It wasn't from a car accident. The orthopedic surgeon I just made an appointment with will not see anyone that's been in a car accident. I understand there's a few doctors that don't in order to avoid being called in accident/lawsuit situations.

In my case I think a bad fall on the ice caused my issues. Thanks for your replies.
 
I had 3 major spine surgeries after I took a long drop off a high ridge. That's not a typo; it was a ridge, with nothing but rocks below. Anyway, the most recent surgery was about a decade ago; a lumbar fusion with a rod and anchors and all that, which improved my posture and increased my mobility by a solid 80%, and reduced my pain by 50%.

These procedures focus on bones and bone positioning. There needs to be as much or even more attention given to the spinal nerve roots. Those are the source of long-lasting, intractable pain, as well as burning sensations, numbness and paralysis, cramping and involuntary posturing in the extremities, and mobility issues. But we're not very good at getting really clear images of the nerve roots and their branches yet.

While my back surgeon had me flayed open, he saw a deformity of my L4 left side nerve root. He did what he could for it by carving away a tiny bit of bone on the L4 left side foramen, where nerve roots sit. What he found was that the L4 nerve root on the left side had a twin, and they were leaning against each other and he made enough space for the both of them.

Problem is, carving off a bit of bone weakened that vertebrae, and the thing collapsed 13 months ago. It broke while I was taking down our Christmas tree. And it's the vertebrae that sits immediately above the rod he installed, so I suppose my back muscles bore down, forcing pressure on weakened bone sitting directly above an unforgiving rod, and, sort of like being stuck between a rock and a hard place, the bone was crushed. Literally.

Until some time in the future, based on the images that were taken, the only "solution" available to the surgeon right now is a disc replacement. And while that will take pressure off the twinned nerve root, it won't solve the real problem. I'll still have a twinned nerve root and all the extremely painful, scary, and frustrating symptoms it causes.
 
robordon said:
I've always heard that spinal surgery is a last resort and not always successful.
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Very true I'm a prime example.

Had numbness in my left arm, I ignored it. 3 days later the numbness increased to the point of not able to use my left hand. That was coupled with a pain in my upper back that no OTC pain would touch. Went to the ER & was diagnosed with a total collapse of my cervical spine. Surgery was scheduled. Pins & fusion was how the spine was rebuilt.

Surgery went well pain was gone, but still had no use of my left hand. Was told that was normal & that the nerves that were compromised needed time to heal. OK a year later still no use. MRI showed moderate to severe compression of the nerves for the left arm & hand. Mayo clinic might be able to fix but no guarantee. All that would be needed would be to take nerves from my legs, open an access to the nerves from the front of my neck. The odds not in my favor so I've learned to live with my left hand being used as a flat platform to carry the dinner dishes to the sink.

I wish you luck in whatever you decide, just don't ignore any numbness or pain.
 
Knight said:
Very true I'm a prime example.

Had numbness in my left arm, I ignored it. 3 days later the numbness increased to the point of not able to use my left hand. That was coupled with a pain in my upper back that no OTC pain would touch. Went to the ER & was diagnosed with a total collapse of my cervical spine. Surgery was scheduled. Pins & fusion was how the spine was rebuilt.

Surgery went well pain was gone, but still had no use of my left hand. Was told that was normal & that the nerves that were compromised needed time to heal. OK a year later still no use. MRI showed moderate to severe compression of the nerves for the left arm & hand. Mayo clinic might be able to fix but no guarantee. All that would be needed would be to take nerves from my legs, open an access to the nerves from the front of my neck. The odds not in my favor so I've learned to live with my left hand being used as a flat platform to carry the dinner dishes to the sink.

I wish you luck in whatever you decide, just don't ignore any numbness or pain.
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There needs to be a lot more study on nerves and nerve roots. The priority, imo, is improved imaging of the nerves specifically. That'll be a major turning point, and I'm confident we'll get there, but meanwhile, there's a ton of money to be had while the focus is on bones, especially the spine. Just about every adult in the western world complains of back pain.

But I think that's got more to do with nerves than bones. Probably a lot more.
 
I've been reading that yes, MRI leads can heat up and possibly cause tissue damage and I don't want to cook a part of my heart! Given the way CAT and MRI scans work, the MRI gives the best image of the soft tissues but my cardiologist says no to MRIs. It can be done but with lots of monitoring and following specific protocols IF the MRI is absolutely necessary. Anyhoo this is the main consideration in getting a good picture of whats going on to see what options there are, at least thats what I think.
 

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