Failed cervical fusion

[John001]

I we injured in June 05 and it took over two years for doctors to find the disk herinations at C4-C5 and C5-C6. After fighting with workman comp in court for a year, I had surgery in July 08 with cadaver bone fusions. The fusions were doing well until a few weeks ago, started experiencing severe muscle spasms in shoulders and neck. Now surgeionsays that the C5-C6 is flattening and will look at it again in 3 months. Will probably have to have surgery again at that level with graft from hip bone.  Workman comp wants to go ahead and meet regarding Voc rehab.... Has anyone experienced problems like this and if so, what was the outcome??? Thanks.

[John001]

Thankyou for the response. I will check out the website and rehab.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
Flattening of cervical spine is worrisome as it indicates damage to the spinal cord. If this is the case then surgery is the only option.
However in your case you do not have any neurological deficits as yet so probably the damage is not much. I would also suggest you to go ahead with rehab therapy as it may help you with the muscle spasms.
Take care!

[DivyaKK]

Hello John,

I donot know much about fusion surgery but would like to suggest you to go through this website: http://www.drschiffer.com/. Hope you get some useful information from that.

Thanks!!