Re: Have any of you had neck surgery?

So sorry. Chronic pain is the worst. My Dad had the cervical fusion done (twice). It did not go well. However, a lot of factors played into that, including his overall bad health (especially diabetes), his daily dose of prednisone (which undoubtedly played a part in the bones not fusing together very well), etc., etc.

My thoughts are to always avoid surgery if at all possible, but sometimes there is no other choice. Try PT, Accupuncture, Yoga and everything else, then get the surgery if you can’t live with the pain. Make sure you get a couple of opinions first before going under the knife - how many levels to go is a big decision, and depending on your age it may mean the difference between going back for another level or two later.

Good luck with all of it. Sorry you gotta deal with that.

Frogman72

CU Guru [1760]

TigerPulse: 100%

Posts: 2767

Joined: 11/30/98

Yes, about 10 years ago

Sep 13, 2022, 8:07 AM

I had C4, C5 and C6 fused and a titanium plate installed. Funny thing about neck surgery for the spine is they go through the front to get to the back. Before I had the surgery the doctor told me to look to the left and right. After I did that he said now do it without turning your body. I tried and was able to turn about 3 degrees maximum. Now I can do about 30 degrees. The recovery was not bad at all and I spent two nights in the hospital.

After the surgery while I was in recovery the doctor told my wife that it took longer than he thought because he found that I had one bone spur on the inside of spinal column putting pressure on my spinal cord and it was a miracle that I was not paralyzed. He said one little accident where I had been hit in the back and I probably would have been. Since I had sick days available and the doctor approved it I stayed out of work for six weeks but would probably have been able to go back in 3 weeks or less.

Check around about which doctor you are going to use and get a second opinion. Be sure that the doctor is a neurosurgeon rather than an orthopedist. Also get opinions from people who have had experience with the doctor. Let's just say that the first doctor I went to about it impressed me so much that I would not let him work on a doll much less a person. Unfortunately the one that actually did my surgery has retired so get references and do not hesitate to get a second or third opinion.

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

Have any of you had neck surgery?