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Reply With QuoteSeems to me I would be calling an attorney....
This is a discussion on Herniated cervical disc--surgery? within the Spinal Fusion (Including Discectomy & Laminectomy Procedures) forums, part of the Spine Surgery Support category; Hi, My name is Diana, I am 44. 3 months ago I had a laparoscopic gallbladder surgery and woke up ...
Herniated cervical disc--surgery? Hi, My name is Diana, I am 44. 3 months ago I had a laparoscopic gallbladder surgery and woke up with the worst neck pain. I was discharged 2 days later and admitted 2 hours later in another hospital. I was injured in so many ways, all my abdomen was full of bile and I had a bad neck injury. I had a second surgery and stayed 2 weeks in the hospital. After being in denial I went to a spine specialist that told me I had a herniated disc (cervical, don't know which one) and that the disc was pushing the space around the spinal cord. He told me that I needed an artificial disc replacement. It's been almost 3 months and the pain is better some days and worst others. I hardly mvoe, terrified of injuring myself more. I have some arm/shoulder weakness and some hand tingling. I almost died from the bile peritonitis and I am terrified of any surgery. He says that PT or traction won't do much for me. I am seeing a second opinion soon. I am so depressed from this, my life was pretty much destroyed by what should have been a routine surgery. I need to know what's the prognosis for the surgery, if I'll ever be able to play with and carry my little kids.
re: Herniated cervical disc--surgery? Seems to me I would be calling an attorney....
re: Herniated cervical disc--surgery? HI Diana and welcome to SPS. It sounds like the last 3 months have been a nightmare for you. Sorry you are going through all of this. A herniated cervical disc can be very painful and give you strange tingling and numbness like you mentioned. ADR, like fusion and any other surgery carries risks of some degree. A successful ADR or fusion can leave you feeling better than new in some cases and better than you were in most cases.
I had a two level ADR 18 months ago and my neck feels great. I have no more pain and have full range of motion.
Good luck and get as many opinions as you need to feel comfortable.
Dave
Diagnosed with DDD in Nov, 2007. MRI, EMG
C3/4 C4/5 C5/6 C6/7
Surgery 06.04.08--C5/6 and C6/7 w/Prodisc
C4/5 deterioration progressing quickly
MRI on lumbar shows disc herniation at L5/S1, stenosis at L3/4, L4/5, spondylosis and DDD at L2 through S1 in July, 2009
Nerve Root, Facet Injections and Epidural every 3 months. Ongoing treatment for continued degeneration.
re: Herniated cervical disc--surgery? Diana,
I am so sorry that you had to go through that. There is definitely life after spinal surgery. I have lived with back pain for 4 years now and had surgery in March. My pain levels have improved greatly and continue to improve. I have 2 daughters, one is 6 and the other will be 4 in a week and a half. I can still carry, lift and play with both of them, you learn to adjust. They know mommy has a 'hurt back' and have adjusted to the new mommy. Good Luck!
31 years old- 1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler at 25 years old; 6/06- Head on collision on Interstate, both wrecks other drivers fault. Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc at 29 years old. Pain and medication free as of October 2010!Mommy to Emma- 8 years, Ava- 6 years & had baby Eli after ADR, via c-section on March 25, 2011, completely pain free still!
re: Herniated cervical disc--surgery? Welcome Diana, and I too am sorry for what you have gone through in both separate issues, your neck and your gallbladder. Very unfortunate.
On the gallbladder surgery gone wrong...... I am not a "run to the lawyer person," by any stretch, but you may want to consider a lawyer. If this is a "no brainer" type surgery, and proper precautions were not taken, then the doctor who performed your surgery needs to be held responsible. You certainly would not want this to happen to anyone else on his watch.
This is a lot to swallow, especially considering you have cervical pain issues right now. You may want to forget the whole thing ever happened and thank God you are alive. You do have alot on your plate currently to even consider the whole thing. And, certainly, every surgery has inherent risks, but. Very difficult predicament....I would not want to be in your shoes.
Again, I am so sorry, but grateful you made it through ok. I do speak somewhat passionately on this, because something similar happened to me after a surgery. I probably should have contacted a lawyer because it was complete negligence and I almost died as well, but I just could not deal with it at the time.
Regarding your cervical issues, I think it is good you are getting a second opinion. Good for you. It will help you evaluate what your next move should be.
You have had a really rough go of it for the past 3 months, but I am glad you found us.I hope we can encourage and support you along the way.
• 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
re: Herniated cervical disc--surgery? Hi Diana,
Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!
I am so sorry about your surgical experience with your gallbladder. Most patients do really well with cervical artificial disc replacement and recovery time is usually shorter as compared to a cervical fusion. Please let us know how your second opinion goes and what they have to say. We are here to support you.
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
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