Any of yall had neck surgery? Part Deux

[Mars]

I've had terrible headaches and neck pain for the last 10-12 years. I've tried several over the counter medications and several prescriptions with no relief. I finally decided to go to a spine specialists and the MRI shows that I have a couple ruptured discs that are pressing on some nerves and spinal cord. The doctor said to try physical therapy and epidural injections but surgery will be required to fix it at some point. I took his advice and went to PT and even had a few epidurals but still no relief.

I say all that to ask if anyone here has had surgery to correct ruptured/herniated discs and how successful was it? Doctor says he will need to take out the ruptured discs and put in plates to hold the vertebra in place and off the nerves. I've talked to a couple folks who had the same or similar surgery, one is worse off than before and the other said it was immediate relief.

 

[Jimmypop]

I had a cervical fusion about 30 years ago. As soon as I woke up I knew I was well. Missed one deer season before the surgery. None since. I had a neurosurgeon do it. I still think that's the way to go.

 

[ol bob]

My son has had it twice in worse shape than before he had it they want to do another he say's no way.

 

[zedex]

I'm still at the nerve cauterizing stage. Its instant relief but I go through it every other month.
The first couple times, it's kinda painful but beyond that, its mildly uncomfortable. Very well worth it until the surgery is the only recourse left.

 

[Semi-Pro]

My bro in law had one taken out of his neck, said it was night and day difference. Recovery was hard.

 

[trad bow]

I’ve had c5-c6-c7 fused. Shouldn’t have waited so long for surgery. No pain. Make sure to get the best surgeon you can.

 

[Mars]

I've got to have 5 through 7 fused as well. I'm not too worried about the surgery but pretty concerned about the recovery. My little boy is only 9 months old and its going to put a lot of extra work on my wife.

 

[blakely]

I’ve had c5-c6-c7 fused. Shouldn’t have waited so long for surgery. No pain. Make sure to get the best surgeon you can.

I had the same surgery this past December and am glad I had it. Recovery was easy and the only problem I've noticed is that I can't turn my head quite as far as before the surgery.

Dr Dorchak at the Hughston Clinic did mine. I'd recommend him to anyone who needed neck or back surgery.

 

[Mars]

I had the same surgery this past December and am glad I had it. Recovery was easy and the only problem I've noticed is that I can't turn my head quite as far as before the surgery.

Dr Dorchak at the Hughston Clinic did mine. I'd recommend him to anyone who needed neck or back surgery.

My brother's father-in-law went to Dr. Dorchak and was happy with him. I've been seeing Dr. Stefanis in Macon.

 

[blakely]

My brother's father-in-law went to Dr. Dorchak and was happy with him. I've been seeing Dr. Stefanis in Macon.

Dr Dorchak has done my fusion and a c4-c5-c6-c7 fusion for my wife. He also did a fusion surgery on my wife where he fused her bottom vertebrae to her sacrum. All of the work he's done on us has been great.

 

[Dub]

Screwed my neck up due to a fall 3 years ago.

Doc removed the damaged stuff and replaced with "spacers" (parts from a cadaver) that healed/fused.

The pain following the accident was severe. Shooting & burning pain from my neck to my left fingertips....all along that nerve pathway. Felt like it was on fire. I could hold my left up overhead and the burning would stop. So...basically I worked with my left arm held up until the surgery 2 weeks later.

Had to put it off that long due to wife having a more important surgery & recovery first.

Woke up after surgery and was ready to go. Wanted to get outa the hospital. Pain was completely gone. They kept me a couple days, though....but at least allowed me to have a decent cup of coffee imported into the room.


Now, I have some numbness in my left fingertips that occasionally impacts my typing and such. Doc said that was due to waiting that 3 weeks and I'm very lucky. I'm good with that.

I'm much more careful now......At 51, I don't take any chances. That injury really has hindered my hunting. Walking around in the dark on uneven surfaces is dicey. I'm hoping things are more stable by this next deer season.

 

[thumper523]

Only advice I can give is use a neurosurgeon. My first was through an orthopedic and it was rough for about 2 years. Found a neuro and you couldn't tell I've ever had 2 lower back surgeries. With PT and doing what Doc said, I was fully recovered in a month.

 

[Ruger#3]

Neurosurgeon, three fused, instant relief. Go easy like they tell you. I got in a hurry and set myself back a bit. Glad I did it.

 

[Mars]

I appreciate all the advice. I'm fairly young(33) and I hope I can have this corrected and get on with my life. Its gotten to the point where I'm missing out on things and just playing with my son can be painful.

 

[Head East]

I hate it for you Mars, wish you the best. I’ll agree with thumper, use a ... good... neurosurgeon. My wife has been cut on by 4 different ones. All supposedly among the best in GA. 1 was in Gwinnett, 1 was in Atlanta and 2 different ones in Augusta.

The first three, I wouldn’t wish on anyone. The latest one seems to be the best so far and is most straight forward and doesn’t sugar coat things. He said each person is going to have a somewhat different experience ranging from- that didn’t work well to that was the best choice I could have made.

What I did not read was whether the damage to your neck is the result of an injury, birth defect, degeneration, or now a combination of these. Your own long term results seem to be greatly influenced by where you are starting from....existing current condition.

Your specific condition, the surgeon you use (GET A SECOND OPINION), your ability to follow directions afterwards, the PT you use, and the pain management person, if used, will greatly influence YOUR outcome. Make sure 1 doctor is in overall awareness of all of your treatments, including pt & pain management. Someone needs to make sure the right hand knows what the left hand is doing. As painful as it is now, take your time and do your homework. Measure twice, cut once.

And finally, I believe prayers help, so I will offer prayer that you have a quick and complete recovery!

 

[Core Lokt]

Didn't read all of the replies but from of those I know that have had back or neck surgery, it will have to be really bad before I would do it. Seems it's a 50-50 chance of helping or making it worse.

 

[dwhee87]

My boss, 58, played league hockey (he lives in Denver). He got checked into the glass a couple years ago, and crushed two vertebrae in his neck. Passed out on the ice, came to within a minute, and had to crawl back to the box, as he couldn't get up. Went to Er, then a neurosurgeon. He had a titanium cage put in at the base of his skull that replaced a couple of vertebrae. Doc that did it was the doc for the Colorado Avalanche. He did PT for a couple months, and is better than new now.

Get a second opinion. Go to a doc that has worked on athletes if your insurance can afford it. Even if it can't think about going anyway. A few grand out of pocket is better than a life of misery.

 

[Mars]

I will definitely get a second opinion. I'm really not sure what caused the injury. I had a very minor car accident not long before I started having headaches but I can't say for certain that was what did it since I felt no pain immediately after that. I appreciate the advice and prayers.

 

[HuntingFool]

Had pain and numbness for years. Was scared of fusion and lost mobility. Went the PT route for a year after meeting with the Neurosurgeon. Was back in his office a year later because I blew out a disk. Don't let it get that bad! That was the worst pain for several weeks before I could get in for surgery. Popping oxy and muscle relaxers like skittles. The pain in my neck, shoulders and down my arm was unbearable. This coming from someone that doesn't like taking any meds. Had C5-C6 and C7 fused in Nov 2012. Best thing I ever did. Go in through the front, spacers in between with a plate and six screws. Went in for surgery at 3:00pm, woke up with them wheeling me in my room at 7:00pm feeling great. Had a morphine drip and I told them to turn it off. Took no pain pills at all after surgery. Was back at work in less than 2 weeks. Took about 2 months to get back in the gym. No issues since and no longer have headaches every day. The Dr that did mine is in Gainesville and he was Great!! I have sent many people to him, even those that had surgery before and all are doing great. The surgeon makes the difference is a good outcome vs a bad outcome.

 

[The Original Rooster]

I had a good experience with my fusion of c5, 6, and 7. The pain I had from two ruptured discs was unlike anything I've experienced. I understand the pain you are going through. If PT and meds aren't helping, it might be time for surgery. I would HIGHLY recommend that you don't rush recovery however and if you use tobacco products, get off them now. Otherwise there is a good chance that the fusion won't happen. Nicotine severely inhibits bone growth. As soon as the Dr. allows, start doing some light weight training and calisthenics. It has helped me tremendously. Also, as soon as the surgery is over, start walking up and down your driveway for at least 30 minutes per day. Moving around helped a lot too.