Newbie with lots of questions. All advice welcome.

[seabloom]

I am a 55 year old female diagnosed with DDD about 25 years ago. I have spent the last 25 years conservatively managing it but the injections and pain meds are no longer enough so I am exploring reluctantly and with great apprehension surgical options. One surgeon recommended ARD for 3 cercial disks. Since my insurance refused I am appealing for a hybrid technique of 1 disk replacement and 2 fusions. I am concerned about ROM since I am very active. I am of course looking at getting other opinions. I live in Pa and thus far have only spoken to an Orthopedic Surgeon. I look forward to support and suggestions and am grateful to have found this group. Thank you.

1. broad- based disk protusion at C3-4
2.disk degeneration with moderate disk protusion, marginal osteophytosis with right greater than left neural foraminal narrowing at C4-5
3.Disk degeneration with broad disk protusion and marginal osteophytosis at C5-6
4. Disc degeneration with broad disk protusion, marginal osteophytosis and left greater than right neural foraminal narrowing at C6-7
5. Mild disk protusion eccentric to left at C7-T1
6. Spinal Osteopenia

[ajj1001]

Welcome to the forum, you have done amazingly well to carry on with only conservative treatment for so long. I'm a lumbar patient so can't share on anything cervical but asking questions and don't stop until you are happy with the answers. At least one more opinion would be an idea and then you can battle to get insurance to pay for the correct treatment.

alison x

[seabloom]

Thank you for responding Alison. You have been through some successful procedures. Were you happy with the results? Are you pain free now? I have been terrified of surgery and kept waiting for better techniques which is why I postponed it for long. I could manage the pain but am now at the end of medical pain management so I just keep fighting through it all to try to make the best decisions regarding surgery. I just had another epidural and am trying Nucynta ER now so I am feeling optimistic about having the time to find the right surgeon. I am also trying to figure this site out here so your friendly hello was greatly appreciated. Thank you. Sea

[ajj1001]

hi, I had my first surgery in my mid thirties and it was mostly successful. I started to have problems three years ago and hoping to be a bit better soon. I'm 6 weeks post op from my second revision op.

you just know when you are ready for surgery and have exhausted all other options. the good news is that there are some really successful cervical operations whether they be fusion, hybrid or ADR. do you know any other neurologist or ortho that you could get another opinion from?

[seabloom]

You make me feel more optimistic Alison. Are you back to all of your old routines? Is the pain gone? I am going to see a neurosurgeon in Philadelphia for another opinion. I am really terrified. Fusing three disks worries me about loss of ROM and even if I am a candidate for a hybrid they are still rare in the US. I at least can manage the pain for a bit since the last epidural but I know it will not last long. I am trying to postpone surgery until June so I can heal over the summer. Taking it a day at a time and trying to remain as active as I can. How did you injure your back?? Will this be the end of surgery for you...hopefully?? Best wishes, Sea

[Kimberly]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry to hear of your long struggle with spine problems. You are (fortunately or unfortunately, I'm not sure) in good company here.

I am also a lumbar (and not a cervical) spiney so I cannot speak to those more northerly spine problems, but I had a two level fusion (L4-S1) about 3 1/2 months ago and wish I would have done it sooner. I was also worried about ROM and although it is still early for me, I already have MUCH MORE mobility and ROM than I did prior to surgery - Mostly I think because of the reduction in pain. I'm altogether so much better already. Wish I would have done it sooner.

As everyone will recommend, get several good opinions, do your research and homework and as Alison pointed out, you will know when the time is right for you to look at surgical options.

All my best,
Kimberly

[seabloom]

Thanks so much Kimberly. I waited this long hoping that by the time I could wait no longer the techniques and outcomes would be better. You made me feel hopeful. I am very active and quality of life is important to me. The pain is impacting that, I have tried everything else so... I know the time has come. I told the first surgeon with whom I consulted that I was terrified of the surgery and he told me "you should be". It has taken me a bit of time to recover from that statement and continue forward. I also live alone and am not very good at accepting help so all of this has been a factor in delaying the inevitable. You are so right...my ROM is already impeded so perhaps the change will not even be noticeable. I am still appealing to my insurance company for one replacement disk but it seems the hybrid method is less well understood so a three disk fusion may be safer. I am doing my homework, getting second and third opinions and right now appreciate the encouragement and support (aka-hand holding) which you and the wonderful people on this site have in abundance. Thank you and I am glad your experience has been so positive. Sea

[laid up doc]

am also a lumbar pt... with just 1 bad disc thank goodness, so i don't have much to offer specifically but, i do have one concern i/r/t the history you do post:

have you had a dexa (bone density) scan recently? if you have osteopenia, you may not be a candidate for ADR, and i really am not sure what implications that has for fusion. definitely bring that up w/ your surgeon, and bring any dexa scans you may have had in the past.

[seabloom]

Thanks DOC,

I did tell the surgeon and since I am an athlete and on high does of Calcium and Vit. D he thought it would be fine but I agree, that is a big consideration and concern for me as well. What type of doc are you? I am a clinical psychologist which helps since I am familiar with anatomy, medicine and the consequences of chronic pain etc. but I do have to say it tends to terrify me as I know all that can go wrong. I also worked early in my career extensively with those with quadriplegia and paraplegia so that also feeds into my own fear and is part of the reason I waited so long until now the pain is impacting my quality of life. So, thanks for the advice. Any and all appreciated as well as hand holding or pointing me toward pertinent clinical studies. One day at a time. I am glad you are doing well. Sea

[Kimberly]

Best of luck to you as you search for solutions to your pain.

Feel free to fire away with any questions you might have. I have yet to find a topic that is off limits here :-)

Take care,
Kimberly