Post cervical fusion

[JULIEANDMORGAN]

post fusion1/2010 still having chronic pain, numbness left arm/shoulder.  C6-7 disc bulge and assymetric protrusion to the left contacting the cord.  foramina patent and facet joints unremarkble.
C5-6 Indertiminate inerbody fusion status.
C4-5 mod advanced spondylosis with dorsal disc protrusion measuring 1.5 mm in AP dimension.  This contacts the ventral cord with mild central spinal stenosis most notable in extension.  Mild right and mod. left chronic foraminal stenosis.  
Where does this leave me?  No one seems to want to help.  Dr, that did surgery was canned 4 weeks post surgery?   Help

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

I am sorry to hear about your pain postoperatively. There is a condition that may result post back surgeries called failed back surgery. It usually occurs in patients who do not have clinical or imaging evidence of nerve compression. Or it may be a result of the surgery not removing all of the herniated disc, postoperative inflammation/scarring, surgery at the wrong spinal level, muscle spasm or psychosocial issues. Treatment would include re-operation, chronic pain intervention, rehabilitation, and/or neuropathic medications.

I suggest you follow up with your primary physician. If you are not a candidate for a re-operation, you should discuss medical options such as being referred to a chronic pain specialist. You may also benefit from physical therapy.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[JULIEANDMORGAN]

Yes, I think this was a failed procedure.  Before the surgery had different opinions on what to do.  These discs were all injured to start with.  Only the middle was the worst.  This Dr. decided to leave the disc above and below alone and only fix the middle.  Another Dr. said he would fix all 3 of them, eventually they woud all need it and that there was not enough space from cord out.  I am not a profesional but, this all seems wrong to me!