Neck & Back Surgery

[Marie7520]

I have already had 2 surgeries on my neck at C5-6 and C6-7.  Now C3-4 is so badly herniated the disc is wrapped around the spinal cord on three sides and is pushing the spinal cord against the back of the vertabar. I am in constant pain and migraines. My doctor wants to operate again and put more plates and screws in from C3-4, C4-5 that would mean my neck would be fused from C3,4, 5 6 7.   Then after that surgery is finished, he wants to turn me over and operate on my Lumbar L4-5, L5-S1,  He absolutely refuses to do 2 seperate surgeries, he says all at once or none at all.  My question is if I have C3-4 fused, is C2-3 going to herniate next, then what????

[Kalvin]

There's a chance C2-3 might herniate, but with the all the pain your having and the spinal compression at C3-4 they need to get in there and get that pressure off your spinal cord. Seems to me like you don't have much of a choice, and three level cervical fusions aren't that uncommon. And like Squirtatious said, try to get more opinions.  

Take Care

[squirtatious]

You have a great point edward, I just couldn't stand the pain of both.

[toolmaker]

What I have read suggests that after fusing a vertebre more pressure is put upon the disks directly above and below.

[EdwardPB]

Would you want to go through misery once, or twice?
The recovery will be very similar for both.
One surgery, one recovery, one risk of trauma to the spinal cord, one risk of spinal cord infection.

2 surgeries, twice the risk, and 2 times of all above...

[squirtatious]

That's a helluva lot of surgery to do all at once and to recover from all at once. I just know that while it would be beneficial to have u put under only once, u would be so miserable aftwerward (or at least I would). I'm still trying to recup from my l5/s1 fusion surgery with instrumentation I had feb 22nd. And knowing what the recovery pain is like for a one level lumbar fusion surgery, I sure the hell wouldn't want neck pain on top of it!!!! What is the reason ur docter gives u for wanting to do the two surgeries together? He isn't going to be the one recovering from them. Anyway, take care and keep me updated!!!! *hugs*

[squirtatious]

Oh hun, sounds like u won't be able to twist ur neck at all. Just make sure u get 2nd and 3rd opinions so u don't end up with unnecessary surgeries. Take care, I wish u the best!!!!