[carolns]

#9929

He is only doing a posterior fusion on c2c3c4 but he said he may not use a collar. Now I understand why he is not using a plate. He said we will talk about a collar. Do you think I should have one? Please give me your thoughts on this. Dr Corenman I asked about acdf and he mentioned sometimes their is swallowing problems. Very nice doctor.
Thank you so much. Carol

Dr. Corenman post=5669 wrote: It sounds like this surgeon might perform the entire surgery from the back of the spine. If this is only posterior surgery, you do not use a plate but use “rods and screws”. Is he intending to also perform an anterior fusion too?

If he is anticipating both an anterior and posterior fusion, he is using both “belt and suspenders” to keep his pants from falling down. An anterior and posterior fusion is much more surgery but probably has the best rate of solid fusion. Again, if this is the case (anterior and posterior surgery), then you will not need a collar.

Let us know how you do.

Dr. Corenman

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#9988

For posterior cervical fusions, I have the patient use a collar as the facet screws used do not have the same initial stability as the anterior fusions have. Swallowing problems do not generally occur with a posterior fusion as you do not have to retract the esophagus.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[carolns]

#10045

Just got this off of the Halifax NS hospital where I will be having surgery. This is why he said no collar. I would still like a collar and will be talking to him about it.

In Halifax we are performing advanced neck surgery that does
not require patients to wear a neck collar at all – let alone for the
standard 6-8 week period.

Dr. Corenman post=5729 wrote: For posterior cervical fusions, I have the patient use a collar as the facet screws used do not have the same initial stability as the anterior fusions have. Swallowing problems do not generally occur with a posterior fusion as you do not have to retract the esophagus.

Dr. Corenman

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#10046

I am glad that Halifax Hospital is so far advanced that the normal laws of physics do not apply to their surgeries.

For us mere mortals who perform surgery, a posterior fusion means the hold of the facet screws is about 25-30% as strong as the construct of an anterior fusion. I use a collar to ensure the fusion “sets” appropriately.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[carolns]

#10047

I was going out of his office and I said collar for 6 weeks and he said no collar. I said the other doctor said 6 weeks and he said we will talk about it. The only chance to talk to me is before I am wheeled into surgery. Not going to happen.

I have been uneasy ever since as I want a collar. I have to speak up now before the surgery. I cannot do the surgery without a collar and I go to my family doctor Jan7th and will tell her this.

I will call the surgeon’s office and find out to.

If I don’t get a collar I will cancel as I will be the one suffering.
My family doctor will be upset with me if I cancel.

The second visit with the first NS he SAID I would get pins and needles before I was to become paralyzed unless a accident.
What do you think? Am I wrong in thinking this way? Is there a certain collar I should have….like hard or soft? Dr. Corenman

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#10053

You can purchase a collar on your own if you choose to do so. These are about $100.00 US. You can wear it for as long as you choose-as much as six weeks. This should be no reason to preclude surgery.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[Author]

Posts