Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 8 total)
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  • Ren24
    Participant
    Post count: 21

    Hello Dr
    I had disc extrusion to the right in June of 2014 at C5-C6 and a discs tony with allograft and Plating. The pain medication I was on seems to have masked and continues to mask a sensTio. Of pressure-jagging-strangling at the level of fusion. I also have had the return of all the pain in my. Neck worse than before with addition of pain down left arm as well. Both shoulders hurt. My left hand has tingling and shocking sensTions and my right ha d goes numb. It seems to be my thumb and pointer finger and at times my middle finger which go completely dead when I sleep I. One side or the other. The neck pain is on the right of c spine and circular around C6-7 and down right side of spine between shoulder blade and spine. A therapist had me out. Tennis ball in that area and try to press it against the wAll and massage it circular which caused me where pain. The kind which nauseated me and if it continued I would pass out. I am in pain all the time and I am so stiff and sore I can. Barely move at times. Is it possible this is from a failed fusion or a reaction. To whatever was used for the plating . A lot of allergies and sensitivities run in the family. It’s been 6 months since my surgery and an mri in December is saying I ha e a bone spacer. Not a fusion of starting fusion. This Mir also stated I have slight decrease in the disc height at c4-5 and a slight increase in protrusion. Some places indenting cord space and one of the foraminal openings is narrowed. Please help me. I am so miserable with pain and these irritating numbness and tingling and this thing with my throat and the pressure strangling feeling is unbearable. Correct me if I’m wrong but if I don’t fuse the plate cannot be removed ( which I am convinced is causing this throat feeling). I had several swallowing tests which showed a narrowing of esophagus at level of playing but allows the food to pass with a little residual left. This only begins my symptoms and issues with it. I’ve lost my job. My health insurance my retirement. At this point I only want my life back pain free. Can you eSe suggest what may. E happening or help me in some way. Thank you so much

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    It sounds like you might have a pseudoarthrosis (failed fusion) of your C5-6 ACDF. You might also have one of the peripheral nerve entrapment/compression syndromes along with a pseudoarthrosis. Forget about the “tennis ball” treatment as this will make the neck pain worse.

    I all my years doing surgery, I have never found an allergy to a titanium plate. The plate can be removed in the face of a pseudoarthrosis as long as the pseudoarthrosis is stable (very common).

    Your report of esophageal narrowing is unusual as the plate generally is 2mm thick and sits right on the bone of the vertebra replacing a ligament (the ALL) which is 1mm thick. The plate should only be 1mm prominent unless the spurs from the prior degenerative disc are still present and the plate is mounted on top of those spurs.

    You need consultation from an experienced spine surgeon to help you understand what current problems you have and what can be done for them.

    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.
    Ren24
    Participant
    Post count: 21

    I’m awAre this is educational and am gettin a consult from a surgeon this week one last question as my appt is not for a few days and I ha shad a new symptom if that’s what you would call it. The right rear side of my C spine I started having this severe throbbing pulsating pain about half way down my cervical area which does radiate down the right side of my spine. System it and my shoulder blad. It is the kind of pain that freezes you and a you can do is hold still and it move. Hoping it will go away. I hate to toto the ER as I have been thru this and sent home without help many times. Is this something I should go to ER for? It’s very frightening and painful and I’m not sure what it is or what to do as it’s totally new thank you for any advice. I can use as much education on this as possible so I can learn toms age this and when to head to hospital for help. Oh. It goes into right shoulder n along top of collarbone as well. I’m tired of all this pain. This pain is not touched by my pain medication

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Severe pain can occur after a pseudoarthrosis but there are other disorders that can cause this pain. I cannot tell you from this distance what the disorder is. Let us know after your spine consult what the surgeon thinks.

    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.
    Ren24
    Participant
    Post count: 21

    Hello dr
    I see
    The new neurosurgeon today. Had mri yesterday. I’m no expert
    But from what I sawmon there didn’t look very good. I watche’d your you tube demonstrations on how to view mri s and it was very informative and easy to understand. I am an RN and ha e some history with this having previous surgery and doing tons of research. I wish I had
    Found your site and knew the risks and symptoms before I had the surgery I did. I ha e serious pain which I am afraid may be chronic due to a poor instruction from surgical group. Anyway will let you know what happens. Wish I could let you see this mri right now Thank you

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    I will eventually develop a tool to place images here anonymously but that day is not here yet. Keep us informed of your progress please.

    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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