I’m enrolled in a research program where I get one of the above two operations done, as a double-blind trial thing. My problem is the disk between c4/c5 (I think I have those numbers right!) is collapsing and the nerves coming out of the spine there are being impacted by the surrounding tissue, giving me all sorts of sensory and control problems in my arms, hands, neck and jaw.
Sadly I gave no idea when this will be done, I’m in an indefinite queue. But I’m keen to hear of others’ experiences and results in this area! When you had it done, what your symptoms were, and what the outcome was, would all be very interesting to me.
I had C5-C6-C7 fused a year ago and got excellent relief of neck and hand and arm pain and some improvement in dexterity. Overall it was easier and more rewarding than an L5-S1 diskectomy 5 years ago, even though I already considered that a pretty good success. They commented that C4-C5 was in poor shape and was a candidate for artificial disk implantation some year soon. I am now having more neck pain again but not much radiculopathy.
I had fusion as well. You can search for an old thread I did on it.
I always forget if it was C4-C5 or C5-C6.
I had unbearable burning tingling in both forearms as well as some weakness. I looked into disc replacement this was a few years ago and it would not have been covered by insurance. After talking with my doctor (nuero not ortho) he said he really thought the fusion would help and I would only lose about 5-10% neck movement.
Fast forward to right after surgery, man it was a pain in the neck literally wearing a hard brace for 7 weeks. Those weeks are pretty miserable. Make sure you have someone around that can help you out.
Fast forward 3-4 months after surgery, neck movement is better than I ever had, arm pain is worse with fingers tingling that didn’t in the past. I was pretty down at this point. Doc says that it is healing great. Nurse that works with him says it could take upwards of a year for the nerves to heal/regenerate/calm down.
Fast forward another 4-5 months, arm pain lessening. I didn’t believe it. I was happy.
Now, I think 3 years later. Very minor tingles in the arms. about 95% relief of the pain I was in. I am very happy I did it and am mad I waited at least 5 years too long to get it done.
Thanks, mchapman. My issue is somewhat different than yours in that I don’t really get any pain per se. I have a constant dull ache in the neck about where the compression is, but my worrying symptoms are more to do with sensations, rapid muscle fatigue, and loss of control and dexterity in my arms and hands.
I hadn’t quite realised full recovery was as long as you had - a year! - but your improvement is encouraging.
I had spondylolisthesis and a nerve bundle being pinched by the pars around L-4/L5.
My symptoms were excruciating pain in my back and legs if I stood up for more than 10-15 seconds. After several intermediate steps, I came upon my neurosurgeon, who suggested and performed an L4, L5, S1 fusion with Steffi plates. He did remove one disk, although I forget which. They also enlarged the hole in the pars where the nerve bundle exits.
This was in 1991, when I was 28 years old. I have remained symptom-free since then, but do have some limits on bending, but nothing life-changing.
Recovery was very tough and painful, but I can bowl, golf, and anything else I choose. I haven’t tried bungee jumping yet.
I had this op early this year but forgot to update this thread. The good news is that I went to a new surgeon to bypass the queue, and just had a straight-out fusion done, no mucking about with artificial disks. I now have a titanium device in my neck and artificial bone between the two disks that were fused. There’s been no noticeable loss of range of movement (not that that was great to start with).
The bad news is that it had no impact on my symptoms whatsoever. Yep, I had a degenerating disk which visibly bulged into nerves, but removing it didn’t help. Either it had permanently damaged them, or it had nothing to do with whatever my problem is. I’m now with a new neurologist who has diagnosed dystonia, which I think means “we have no friggin idea”. Sigh. Looks like I’m stuck with this for life.