+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 3 of 3

anyone else like me with 3 level c spine fusion?

This is a discussion on anyone else like me with 3 level c spine fusion? within the Spinal Fusion (Including Discectomy & Laminectomy Procedures) forums, part of the Spine Surgery Support category; If you read my signature you see I have a 3 level c spine fusion. Two level with bone graft ...

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    OKLAHOMA CITY
    Posts
    80

    Default anyone else like me with 3 level c spine fusion?

    If you read my signature you see I have a 3 level c spine fusion. Two level with bone graft and plate and 1 level with peek cage. I am having serious pain with grinding at c6/7 c7/t1 and although they say the scan look okay the symptoms are there. The just keep saying it's arthritis / bone spurring. Last night I also stared having upper lip movements, very strong and it was accompanied by pain at the top of my neck into the base of my scull. All my EMG NCS point to radiculopathy at these levels. So what do I do now???
    42 year old female
    Hyperflexion injury to neck young 20's
    2 auto accidents
    Three neck surgeries:
    7/2007 PEEK implant w/titanium plate and screws at the C4-C5 & C5-C6
    4 EMGS/NCS showing radiculopathy at all levels mentioned
    7/2008 nerve root injections 2 times
    9/2008 revision C4/5 & C5/6 due to failure of fusion replace PEEK implant w/donor bone graft new titanium plate and screws
    10/2009 stand alone Peek cage C3/4
    Arthritis of c-spine c6/7/t1
    loss of muscle tone in forearms and hands

  2. #2
    Senior Member Katie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    1,798

    Default Re: anyone else like me with 3 level c spine fusion?

    Hi Cheryl,

    If it is the original surgeons who are giving you this feedback, I would start sending out MRIs & x-rays to others to get third, fourth and fifth opinions. I got almost a dozen before I was happy with an answer, and not all of them charge a fee.
    Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
    Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
    Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things . Therapy and chiropractic treatments helping immensely. Gone from being almost bedridden to near normal activities including gardening. Life is gooooood!

  3. #3
    Moderator Cindylou's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Posts
    2,378

    Default Re: anyone else like me with 3 level c spine fusion?

    Very good advice Katie. :thumpup: I agree completely.
    • January 2000 MVA passenger, used jaws of life to retrieve me, neck injury and months of PT
    • June 2001 Bicycle accident, 2 compression fractures at T12/L1, Vertebroplasty Sept. 2001
    • April 2006 right hip, labral tear and repair
    • April 2007 3 level ProDisc @ L3/4, L4/5 & L5/6✷ ✷Lumbosacral transitional vertebra; Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli
    • July 2, 2008 ALIF & Laminectomy @ L6/S1
    • July 30, 2008 re-opened 28 days later to remove bone cement that had leaked onto S1 nerve root
    • August 2008 Pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, re-hospitalized 1 week
    • March 10, 2009 Right SI Joint Fusion
    • April 27, 2010 2nd right hip arthroscopy to remove adhesions and release psoas muscle
    • September 30, 2010 lumbar facet rhizotomy
    • December 9, 2010 12 bilateral lumbar trigger point and steroid injections
    • December 23, 2010 12 more bilateral trigger point injections w/o steroid
    • February 15, 2011 ESI bilaterally in lower lumbar...relief only for few days. Considering 1 more.
    Did Spinal Cord Stimulator trial from 5/11/11-5/17/11 with excellent results; Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery is Monday,
    July 18, 2011

+ Reply to Thread

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts