Spinal stenosis Surgery???

[SAJ99]

Heelo,
Have degenerative disc disease at c5 and c6 associated with osteophytic ridging causing marked narrowing of the neural foramen on the right side and moderate spinal stenosis.
An orthopedicc surgeon told me he plans to remove twovertebrae and place a rod. Has anyone had this experience and what are the long term effects?
I have had shots, PT to both arms and an elbow. One shoulder froze. Have electric shocks in both hands and my right foot.  Also, tingling, burning sensation on the bottom of both feet.Last week the pain in the back of my head had me almost incapaitated for days.
Do I need and should I have the surgery?
Will I be paralyzed without the surgery?
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Judy1961]

I am sure she is speaking of plates/screws and cages with the corpectomy.

[richmill1]

are you sure he is not speaking of adcf (fusion)?  with a plate instead of a rod?
you might check with a neurosurgeon..I had the surgery and got my life back..
good luck

[Judy1961]

Yes,  I have been through what the surgery you referring to which is called
anterior cervical corpectomy.   I had to have a level removed that was due to pseudoarthosis (non-union of the fusion).   My first c-spine surgery was a failed surgery and another neurosurgeon had to go in and redo it.   I have plates and screws and a cage.  

I also have had to have rods and cages put in on my lumbar spine.  Now my how lumbar spine has been fused surgically.

Have you also had your low back checked out?

Paralyzed without the surgery?  That's what the doctor should be able to inform you.
But keep in mind that if you have this approach done on the front of the neck, ask your ortho surgeon if there is a monitoring device used to check your recurrent laryngeal nerve to avoid paralyzing your vocal cord permanently, which is what happened to me.  If I ever have any more neck surgery, the neurosurgeon told he would have to do the next one from behind the neck.  It would be horrific if my other vocal cord because paralyzed also.  I would be living with a trach for the rest of my life.

I am not trying to scare you, but to ask your ortho doctor if this is possible to avoid this problem, which is he/she is supposed to tell that this can occur from this surgery, even though it is probably a very low per centage.

Judy