[Spinal Fusion / Cervical] C6-C7 Discectomy 2001, C6-C7 ACDF 2001 C5-C6, Posterior Foraminectomy 2002, New Cervical Problems

[Chris G]

Round 2 for me in Cervical hell

I had been pain free for ~8 years following 3 operations from 2001 -early 2002

My new pain started in Dec 2009

C6-C7 Discetomy 2001
C6-C7 ACDF 2001
C5-C6 Posterior Foraminectomy 2002

My neck neck, shoulder, and arm pain started in early Dec and I have had a ll the tests..
XRAY, MRI, CT/Myelogram, Epidural inj, Tigger Pt Shoulder Muscle, and now facet ing this week

Now I have problems above the C6-C7 fusion and am considering a 2 or 3 level ADR with Dr B in Germany

But one well known surgeon at Yale saws my facet joints from C3-C7 may have degenerated too much for ADRs
to be pain free...

I have heard from some that the extra space from ADRs allow moderately degenerated facet joints to NOT
be painfull following ADR surgery recovery.... Any comments on this issue?


Chris

[Justin]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society. I'm sorry about Round 2 of Cervie Hell.

But one well known surgeon at Yale saws my facet joints from C3-C7 may have degenerated too much for ADRs
to be pain free...

I have heard from some that the extra space from ADRs allow moderately degenerated facet joints to NOT
be painfull following ADR surgery recovery.... Any comments on this issue?


Chris

I'm guessing the surgeon at Yale is Dr. Yue. Personally, I believe moderately degenerated facet joints and artificial disc replacement surgery shouldn't "mix." With pre-existing facet degeneration, a Spine Patient's chances of having facet-related issues down the road is significant. Artificial discs are more "forgiving" to other elements of the spine (especially in cervical cases). However, if I were in your shoes with moderate degeneration of facets, I would avoid ADR. I think this is a very slippery slope.

Remember, my comments are from a layman's perspective.

[Chris G]

Justin-


Yes it was DR. James Yue who is a wonderful guy. Great doc who is easy to talk with and is tells you the whole story
after looking at your images and discussing pain locations.

I have spoken with 2 other multi-level cervical ADR patients who are only 12-18 months from their Dr B surgery and are doing great. Both had grade 2/4 facet degeneration. The proof is down the road to see how long they remain pain free.

Is their any work with facet replacements in the cervical region or are the bone structures too small? I saw the info on new technologies but that all was slanted towards lumbar.


Chris

[tyler]

Round 2 for me in Cervical hell

I had been pain free for ~8 years following 3 operations from 2001 -early 2002

My new pain started in Dec 2009

C6-C7 Discetomy 2001
C6-C7 ACDF 2001
C5-C6 Posterior Foraminectomy 2002

My neck neck, shoulder, and arm pain started in early Dec and I have had a ll the tests..
XRAY, MRI, CT/Myelogram, Epidural inj, Tigger Pt Shoulder Muscle, and now facet ing this week

Now I have problems above the C6-C7 fusion and am considering a 2 or 3 level ADR with Dr B in Germany

But one well known surgeon at Yale saws my facet joints from C3-C7 may have degenerated too much for ADRs
to be pain free...

Hey Chris -

I hope you'll update with results from your 2-level M6-C's with Nick Boeree.

Best,
Tyler

[Chris G]

Yes I did have a 2 level ADR with Nick Boeree at the Nuffield Hospital in the UK. My pain levels has gone down from 5-6 prior to the surgery to 3-4 and I do not take any opiate meds.... only gabapentin @ 1800mg/day.


Still working on stengthening my neck and shoulder muscles to see if that helps eliminate much of the facet related pain and stiffness.


Chris

[tyler]

Still working on stengthening my neck and shoulder muscles ...

Thanks Chris - btw what kinds of neck and shoulder exercises are you doing?

[Chris G]

Tyler-

Sarah Keeton (PT/ Nuffield, Health) provided me with 2 page guide with 6 stretches...

Chin Tuck lying down
Chin Tuck sitting or standing
Side to side stretch
Forward stretch while sitting
Head tilt towards each shoulder Stretch
Backward stretch while sitting (Go real slow on this one as you body allows)



Each stretch is done initially 5x with about 5-10 seconds holding the stretch

The sheet looks like the info was from Physio Tools Ltd



best- Chris

[tyler]

Tyler- Sarah Keeton (PT/ Nuffield, Health) provided me with 2 page guide with 6 stretches...
Chin Tuck lying down
Chin Tuck sitting or standing
Side to side stretch
Forward stretch while sitting
Head tilt towards each shoulder Stretch
Backward stretch while sitting (Go real slow on this one as you body allows)
Each stretch is done initially 5x with about 5-10 seconds holding the stretch
The sheet looks like the info was from Physio Tools Ltd
best- Chris

Hey Chris -
I checked in - and out - on one of the UK's wonderful 'Bank Holiday' weekends and must have missed Sarah's guide! Are you able to post?
Best,
Tyler