Fusion in neck

[cheesecloth]

Has anyone had spinal fusion C4-5 C6-7 & had immediate relief from pain & numbness in hand & arm. If not how long did it take for the pain etc to go if ever?

[mo627]

i had c4 to c7 fused in more pain now also then before surgery,both arms in pain,left index finger and thumb numb since surgery neck in extreme pain,now i cant swallow right like something is in the way,think my rods are moving in me all tests come out negatice.i dont know what they do? Do they refuse ?

[bev62]

I had a spinal fusion (C5-C7) in Nov 2006.  Sorry to say I've been in more pain ever since the surgery.  My disks had ruptured and it took almost 2 year before I could have the surgery, thanks to workers comp. My doctor says that is probably why I'm still in so much pain. They did a rotator cuff repair first thinking that it was causing my pain. Then I had the fusion and after that didn't help they did surgery on my elbow, thinking I had an intrapped ulnar nerve. So now I have scars on my shoulder, the front of my neck and a 10 inch one on my arm and I'm still screwed up. Thank God for pain meds and antidepressents.

But don't let me scare you. Most people have great results from this surgery, but it does take some time to heal. So just hang in there and I wish you the best of luck.

[bethy67]

I had spinal fusion of C5-C6 back in january 2006.  I was amazed at my results - the pain and numbness in both my hand and arm was gone after the surgery.  unfortunately now i have bulging at C7.  

[msfergy]

What are you getting the fusion for? Is it herniated disc? Also what type of symptoms are you having?

[WashingtonCarl]

Had a threeleval fusion at the same are in Dec. Pain was better when I woke up from surgery than when I went in. Left hand stayed numb and weak and I had a MRI in March and found three more hern. disk. Under the knife again. Still having problems with my hand but its SLOWLY getting better. Have been told and have read that the fusion may or not help the hand and arm but it would keep it from getting worse. I kinda look at is as anything I get back is a gift at this point...Hang in there!