Neck Op

Thanks bethany, hope you are feeling ok.  Was this your second neck fusion at the same site or is it in a different place on your neck.  How did you get on with your first fusion, did it take you long to recover and how has it changed your life with regards to movement and pain etc.  Thanks

My first fusion was for 3 ruptured discs in my neck. I am not going to lie, I did not recover from the pain. Although the fusion went well, I was told I had a spinal chord injury causing all the pain to continue down my right arm. For the next year I was at a pain clinic getting injections and I was on high dosage medication. About 3 months ago, the pain became unbearable again and Zi was sent in for another MRI and I ruptured the disc below the other three. I just had my second fusion surgery. I still have pain in my arm. I cannot lift my arm past my waist for very long without extreme pain, but I no longer have the pain in my hand or fingertips. My surgeon told me due to my spinal chord injury, now with injections at the pain clinic I should hopefully feel more relief. I did have to retire from my job which was really tough on me emotionally as I was a teacher and I taught for 24 years and I loved it. On March 13, I am having a back fusion as well. I have 3 ruptured discs in my back that Zi have been dealing with over the past year and a half and my surgeon did say I should come out of this surgery without any back or leg pain. As for the surgery itself, the first 2 to 3 days are very tough but they do their best to keep you as comfortable as possible. If I were told tomorrow that another cercical fusion would take away all my pain, I would not hesitate to have it done. I do recommend that if your husband has the surgery that you have a good recliner at home. It took me about 6 weeks before I was able to lie down in a bed but I could and still can sleep in a recliner. I hope this helps and good luck.