Perro Del Diablo Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 I will be going into have second steroid injection for my C6 on Monday. DR. said if this doesn't work next step be surgery to fuse vertebrae. I'm not worried about the procedure or possible surgery. My question would be how close to normal movement and activity after it heals? I like to hear how you or someone you know faired. I like honest opinions. Please don't try to scare me I'm not looking for that. Thanks Country Wildman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captqueeze Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 I retired as a Anesthesia provider a few years ago, and have had symptoms of Cervical Stenosis or impinged nerve syndrome for years. You'd think I'd go have it surgically treated, but I'm not to that point yet. I do have, on occasion, burning in my right arm but mostly paresthesia(s) such as tingling and numbness in my hand. Look at this info on causes/treatments that are offered today for taking care of your condition. Good luck, I know what you're going through. https://www.laserspineinstitute.com/articles/pinched_nerve_articles/c6/224/ Capt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619 Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 I had epidural steroid injections about 4 times in my back. They worked well, and relieved the sciatic pain. Eventually the pain decreased, I don't do the injections, and things are OK. Every situation is different, but a good rule thumb with respect to back issues is to be very conservative, and pursue surgery as a last resort. Pretty general statement to be sure, but.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okiepan Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Neuropathy SUCKS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Brules Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Backing up, now...... depending on the actual details of your proposed procedure, your recovery time will be impacted, as well as the actual physical invasion of your body and scarring. If you don't have a precise understanding of this, I suggest you find out. I also suggest that, if you don't know or you're unsure and have a vague understanding of the foregoing, that you get your neurosurgeon to take as much time as you need to see on a skeletal model, the procedure they intend to perform. Okay..... I believe that you will notice more of a restriction in movement ability from a cervical 2-vertebrae fusion than you would for a 2-vertebrae thoracic or a lumbar fusion of the (more or less) same scope (impingement and nerve involvement). With advanced impingement, the surgeon may insert a piece of cadaver bone to replace the disc material, and the 2 vertebrae will fuse to it, all held together with (likely) a titanium plate. You move your neck in more angular articulation almost certainly more than you use your back and lower back. In the end, I doubt it will cause you more than minimal impact on your ability to navigate life as you did prior to the surgery. I'm thinking that your overall quality of life will improve. However, it all hinges on the knowledge, skill and experience of your neurosurgeon. If he gets a general surgeon to close, tell him you want someone with super skills to do so, because you don't want some horrendous surgical scar, especially since they almost certainly will do a frontal access....maybe not. I'm not a medical doctor, but I know more than enough about these surgeries to know that most patients go into them without a full deck of information and realistic expectations. I do believe that with the right surgeon you will come out with noticeable improvement. Just general info based on my experience......your situation, like everyone else's, is unique and different and you know more about it than I do. Cat Brules Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perro Del Diablo Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 Neuropathy SUCKS!!! TOO TRUE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perro Del Diablo Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 Epidural steroid injections having little to no effect so far second one is tomorrow morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perro Del Diablo Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 Backing up, now...... depending on the actual details of your proposed procedure, your recovery time will be impacted, as well as the actual physical invasion of your body and scarring. If you don't have a precise understanding of this, I suggest you find out. I also suggest that, if you don't know or you're unsure and have a vague understanding of the foregoing, that you get your neurosurgeon to take as much time as you need to see on a skeletal model, the procedure they intend to perform. Okay..... I believe that you will notice more of a restriction in movement ability from a cervical 2-vertebrae fusion than you would for a 2-vertebrae thoracic or a lumbar fusion of the (more or less) same scope (impingement and nerve involvement). With advanced impingement, the surgeon may insert a piece of cadaver bone to replace the disc material, and the 2 vertebrae will fuse to it, all held together with (likely) a titanium plate. You move your neck in more angular articulation almost certainly more than you use your back and lower back. In the end, I doubt it will cause you more than minimal impact on your ability to navigate life as you did prior to the surgery. I'm thinking that your overall quality of life will improve. However, it all hinges on the knowledge, skill and experience of your neurosurgeon. If he gets a general surgeon to close, tell him you want someone with super skills to do so, because you don't want some horrendous surgical scar, especially since they almost certainly will do a frontal access....maybe not. I'm not a medical doctor, but I know more than enough about these surgeries to know that most patients go into them without a full deck of information and realistic expectations. I do believe that with the right surgeon you will come out with noticeable improvement. Just general info based on my experience......your situation, like everyone else's, is unique and different and you know more about it than I do. Cat Brules Thank you I am not thrilled to have surgery. My Dr. said if it comes to that it will be a fusion. Titanium plate and screws. I will need to ask about the bone graft. He mentioned disc replacement but said he preferred fusion because of my age "49". If I was 40 be different. Currently the best analogy I can give is like having a strong friend trying to perform the Vulcan sleep hold on me 24 hours a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvertip Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 I believe is a last resort but it my be the answer. Steroids help and They build on each other so the second and third should each work better. I also believe in Chiropractic they help me a lot and I would try that before surgery. ST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perro Del Diablo Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 Surgery is not an option I take lightly especially when spine is involved. Injection, oral steroids, tens unit, prescription lotion, rehab, chiropractor all have not helped much. I really appreciate all your comments. Tomorrow morning will take last of this series of steroid injection and follow up from there. Prayers are always appreciated. CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Trapper Tom Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 My wife and I have both been through steroid treatments a couple of times with little help. Surgery for us is not an option for our personal reasons. Right now my wife is trying a treatment called nerve ablation ( not sure if it's spelled correctly). Anyway they deaden the nerve. We'll see how this works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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