Dr. says I need to have C456 fused soon as possible to prevent further injury, Have any one had this type of thing done? How was the outcome. And how is it to have a stiff neck. I wonder if the cure is worse than the ailment. I just had my shoulder done last May and now they say the neck was part of the same accident, but symptoms were masked by the severity of the shoulder injury. It's beginning to look like time for the long walk off the short dock

JP, I have no ideas on the surgery, but certainly wish you the very best. I certainly hope you have gotten more than one opinion on such a serious matter.

Good Luck
I had c3-4 fused about 10 years ago, the Neurologic problems ended (Burning feet and Numb Arms) but it came with a price. Expect a severely reduced range of motions, possibly breathing problems depending on hardware placement and pain. I didn't do well at all on the Opioid's and finally ended up on Neuronton which is tolerable. It ended my 6 figure job and finally my first marrige..

Yup I agree with Aunty get a second opinion, and not so I sound to negative after my first marrige finally ended I met a great women who's battling her own health issues. When I proposed to her I told her I don't know how long each of us have but would you like to do it together. Guess making every day count has it's pluses, I've never been happier! Monday we go to OHSU to see her Oncologist.

JP,

Sorry about that. My story is similar but different. BTW, I talked with Aunty M and Caveman (her hubby) before I decided anything. I had a severely herniated disc between C3-4. Caveman recommended trying everything before surgery, so I did. Acupuncture - relieved some symptoms, like left shoulder and arm pain, but didn't seem to address the root cause. Drugs weren't really satisfactory unless I took more than I was supposed to and nearly knocked myself out. The last thing I tried was a chiropractor who has a traction-type machine called the DRX 9000; it should be a race car. Group Health wouldn't cover it, so I paid out of pocket, since I was also ready to visit a witch doctor. Anyway, I improved to around 90 -95%, which is as good as it's going to get. I have most, but not all of my former range of motion. But I avoided surgery, and am better instead of worse.

I'm an advocate of surgery as a last resort. Depending on the information source, after surgery about 70-75% are improved; up to 30% have no improvement; and from 5-10% are worse than before the surgery.

Best of luck to you.

Sg

JPb. Hang in there, and wishing you my best.

Mf

Hmmm Sounds kinda like the results the Neuro told me te expect. Of course I talked to my vet a couple years after the surgery and told him some of the issues I was having and he told me they do the same surgery on dogs and over half get put down within a year. I'd say my fetching and chasing car days are over.

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/08/21/paula_abdul_undergoes_neck_surgery


Here's one of the success stories, even though I think she's hitting the pain meds alittle to hard.

Thanks for all the info . I am attempting to get a second opinion from a new group of Dr. My main problems are the pain issues I have started taking a new pill Nerontin. This gives some relief. The part that effects me the most is I have only about 50% strength in my hand and 2 fingers that don't work so well. Since I work construction this is a real issue. I have been thinking about the chiropractor , but have been warned against it. I will keep you posted on the out come. thanks again. This place is wonderful I have meet no one face to face but after lurking and even posting a few times I feel like I know a lot of you. If a stranger on the river or lakes yells and asks if you post here it may be me. Hope to meet some of you in the future. If things don't go well there may be a hell of a yard sale. Hope the wife doesn't sell my stuff for what I told her I paid for it. okebye JP

Good Luck JP, been down the same dirt road.

Wow reading this thread and looking at the pictures is eye-opening. I feel really bad for all of you who have ended up with chronic back or neck issues. That x-ray is just scary looking.

What could any of you have done to prevent your injury? Anything?

I had a crappy day yesterday, but this thread has inspired me to pick myself up and count my blessings (of which there are plenty) one more time. Best wishes to all who are suffering.

What could any of you have done to prevent your injury? Anything?


Sure I should have ducked when 2000#'s of steel hit me in the left temple cracking a vertabrae, another friend of mine that's fused was a wrestler and coach. He said he can't remember how many times he was slammed down on his neck, he had to take early retirement too.

Dude, I think that is poor advice and I hope it wasn't a doctor's advice......not saying that you should go that route, but if I was in your shoes the first place I would head to would be my chiropractor's. Sure wish the medical profession and insurance companies would come into the 21st century and cover chiro's, LMT's, and acupuncture

I'd try a Teeter Hangups or just gravity boots first.

Like every profession, there are good chiropractors and not so good. A good one will help.

I broke C1 and C5 a few years back in a car crash and it was no fun for a few months, but on a more encouraging note, being stuck without going out and about for a summer got me into a some hobbies and opportunities I would have never slowed down enough to get into without being laid up.
I hope you can find a way to make lemon aide outta lemons.

Good Luck,

JD