Cervical spine surgery vs lumbar spine surgery

[Jack-of-all-trades]

I was curious if there was anyone who has had disease repaired by surgery at both of these levels. How did thet compare recovery wise, pain wise, or any other wise you deem good to know. I had l5-S1 fused last December. So fasr better than expected but not perfect. I was able to get off opiates.

Ihave two bad cervical levels I have known about for some time. Just over the last 3 months it has gotten to the gotta have some relief. I have an appointment with my neurosurgeon in 2 weeks.

[Metalneck07]

Jack of all trades -- I have two surgeries on my cervical . I'm waiting now to have surgery on my Lumbar Sept.28.My cervical I had fusion and I sure did not understand the 1st time how long the recovery would take.I still believe that Lumbar will be more to recover from.Though with that said I think the type of Cervical or Lumbar surgery really comes into play.Fusion taking longer compared to ADR.I have read that Cervical is a harder surgery from the stand point that it's more complicated area to gain access to. So that could effect pain levels.So many variables can effect the outcome.Best to plan worst case senario and know it's all part of the big picture to getting back to a healthy Spine.Hope this has helped and hasn't confused you more !! Best of Luck.

[KBear]

I'd be interested to hear the answer too. Some of our members who had both are Terry, Katie, Susanna. The main difference I have really heard about is the cervical is less weight bearing, which can be helpful in recovery. Other than hearing that, I know nothing on the differences.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

It is a cursed thing to have spine disease at the Cervical and Lumbar area. I'll bet it was my daddy's fault as he allways tried to rush things. Probably did the same thing when they made me.

The neuro-surgeon I used before, and was pleased with, did not do ADRs in Lumbar spines but does do them in cervical if indicated.

I told my wife if I keep getting all these high dollar metal parts and gold teeth that she needs to sift through the ashes closely when I die.

[roomba]

Hi Jack (of all trades) - I have had both. Cervical was awhile ago - in 1998. I had a disc removed (C-4/5 I think), he put in coral and a titanium plate. From what I remember it wasn't too bad. The pain, which had been severe nerve pain down my arm (and damage resulting in not being able to lift anything above my waist) was immediately gone. The surgery was a little complicated as my neck was thicker than anticipated - took a couple of neurosurgeons 3 hours - but I was only in the hospital one night. I had to wear a soft collar and was out of work about 6 weeks. My lumbar surgery (laminectomy L1-L5 but no fusion) was almost a year ago (in October). I'm 12 years older and this surgery was preceded by a year of pain and not being able to walk. I was in the hospital 3 days for this one, went back to work sooner (too soon) and in some ways it was harder because the incision was much bigger and it was harder to keep things still. But overall I recovered pretty quickly and am doing really well now - no real restrictions and can exercise more vigorously than ever. I still have some stiffness and pain sometimes, but am 1000% better.

So overall, I think the cervical was easier and removed the pain more completely ( I still have no pain at all), but both were very successful and I would do both again in a heartbeat (although I hope I'm done, at least for awhile!)

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Katie]

Hi Jack,

My cervical surgery seemed like a non-issue, honestly. I had some pretty bad compression of the spinal cord and resulting neurological problems that the surgeons I consulted didn't thing would be relieved by surgery, just stopped from from getting worse. I had the NeoDisc put in at C5/6 and other than the normal surgery pain, with muscle/ligament etc. pain from being stretched so much, and my throat being sore from general surgery, I barely knew I had surgery in that spot.

My Canadian surgeons said it was a very dangerous, serious surgery and refused to touch it (unless I was in a wheelchair...which they said I would not come out of). Dr. Bitan was happy to do two levels at C4/5 & 5/6, with a hybrid approach, ADR plus fusion.

Dr. Pimenta laughed when I said the Canadian doctor deemed it too dangerous. He said it was the easiest surgery to do, that it was spine surgery 101. I still have a tiny bit of aching if I look up for long periods, but that I can live with...it may be a facet issue, but not worse than an occasional aching shoulder when I overdo it. I have full range of motion side to side and down...when before I couldn't check over my shoulders.

My lumbar was a bigger issue, but mainly because of the ALIF for the spondylosis at the L5/S1. The XLIF at L4/5 was a much 'smaller' surgery and I barely noticed that incision site/level. I know that sounds like an exaggeration, but that's how it feels. But I would not hesitate for a second to repeat these surgeries.

I hope this helps.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

...when before I couldn't check over my shoulders.

This sounds like me. I have to back a car by using the mirrors. A couple weeks ago I as trying to back out of a parking spot at the post office and backed into one of the big steel mailboxes with the gooseneck mail slot. My back window wouldn't fit down the chute and caved. $800.00.

[Katie]

I can commiserate. I parallel parked too close to a fire hydrant that jutted out into the lane last summer, and putting a long shallow dent in the car. It's the first dent I've ever made...but the 'good' thing is it joins the family of dents my hubby put in it Funny how it's now my car and he just got a new one...but I digress.....

That is a big ouch Jack. You can ignore a dent, but not a missing window

[Jack-of-all-trades]

That is a big ouch Jack. You can ignore a dent, but not a missing window

Agree, You shoulda seen my duct tape waterproofing.

Yeah, well I have a good excuse or excuses and it took me a long time to think them up. I was parked between a Suburban and this man with a motorized wheelchair on the back of his truck. Plus the sun was in my eyes, and I was distracted by this lady going into the Post Office. Kind of like that insurance commercial on TV that's running now where a guy gets distracted by a runner and hits a light pole. Pretty lame but that is all the excuses I could muster.

[Cindylou]

Last Friday when we were heading out the door for the cabin, I commented to my husband to please stop by the mailbox at the local post office as I had a bunch of bills I'd paid and needed to mail. Not 5 minutes later, as he drives up to a row of mailboxes, drops the mail in, he starts pulling away and darn near takes a row of mailboxes with him! The whole side of the pickup was completely smashed in with a good 6 foot long, 2 inch wide scrape. I could not believe it. And this is a leased pickup we are turning in next month! He took it to a body shop yesterday........$1,800 to fix it. Big ouch.