Viewing 6 posts - 25 through 30 (of 36 total)
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  • zookriz
    Participant
    Post count: 19

    Hello Dr. Corenman,
    Another update on my cervical situation. I recently tried a cranial nerve block for head aches, which did not help. I am considering surgery. My surgeon wants to remove my c6 c7 disc that is causing some early myelopathy symptoms. The pain clinic agreed that I should have a discogram done to evaluate my c5 c6 symptoms. I had three levels tested. It was positive on c5 c6. I didn’t get the report back yet but for anyone debating on having a discogram done, it was well worth it. My doctor is very good at these even though they don’t do very many in the cervical area, they do mostly back. The most painful part ironically was the numbing medication. When the pressurize a bad disc there is no denying that it’s bad! It made my eyes water. So it looks like I’m going to be having a two level fusion. I will get back with the written results ASAP. Thank you for all your time and help. I have referred many people to your sight for information and support. It’s priceless!
    Thanks again, Kathy

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Cranial nerve blocks (like the trigeminal nerve) may be helpful in certain cases but if there is base of the skull (occipital) pain, then the sources of headache are more typically from the upper cervical facets.

    I am glad you underwent a discogram as now you know the C5-6 disc is a pain generator. I assume this means you will have a C5-7 ACDF. That should help your degenerative kyphosis and solve some of your shoulder pain.

    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.
    zookriz
    Participant
    Post count: 19

    Hi Dr. Corenman,
    I just wanted to let you know I have been scheduled for a c5-c7 ACDF just as you suggested. My surgery is Nov. 23rd. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks for everything!
    Kathy

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Good luck!

    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.
    zookriz
    Participant
    Post count: 19

    Hello Dr. Corenman,
    I had my 2 level ACDF with hip autograft and everything went well. I’m off my pain meds that I’ve been on for over 1 year. I’m only taking Tylenol and some muscle relaxers. Using my hip bone was a great choice for me, I will heal quick and that part of the surgery was not bad at all. I’ve been told it was going to be more painful than my neck but the benefit far outweighed the pain, I feel. Everything went well but my voice is still a mess which I know is also a risk with this surgery. My surgeon’s only concern is that my vertebrae were very loose. He is not sure if it is just the injured levels or my whole neck. I guess this explains why I can’t keep the correct curve in my neck. He said when he was performing my surgery that my bones were “all over the place”. Do you find this often? I suppose this gives me a better chance at the levels above and below being future problems.
    For now I feel great and have no regrets. I can’t wait to go back to life with my kids. Thank you for all your help, best wishes to you and your family and good luck to everyone.
    Kathy

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Voice problems are rare but can occur. This is typically from retraction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Did you have a right of left sided approach? RIght sided approaches are typically more problematic for this nerve.

    When your surgeon stated your “bones were all over the place”, I assume that he meant you had instability. This means that the surgery was important and that this fusion should help you. Instability is not uncommon but can be found almost always preoperative in the flexion/extension X-rays of the neck.

    Keep in touch to let us know how you progress.

    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.
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