c4-7 disk fusion neck movement

bee · Silver Member Joined: 11 Sep 2000 Posts: 260

I am about to undergo disk fusion on c4-7. I have suffered from severe chronic pain every time I would move my neck. I wanted to hear from others who underwent the same procedure if they found it beneficial or not. I am really worried as I have no idea how these things work. Any info and comment is welcome

robbe · Newbie Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Posts: 16

Hi! I reckon you should do just fine, because your vertebrae will be fused with a bone graft and there will be no movement between your vertebrae and they won’t be pressing the nerves anymore that have been causing the pain. I didn’t have fusion, I had artificial disk placed between two vertebrae. I don’t know where you come from but I reckon that artificial disk placement is available only in the States for the time being. It is said that it is a bit better than using a bone to fuse the vertebrae because it allows more neck movement which seems to be limited in the fusion surgery. Anyway, back to your surgery…..I reckon you would do much better than without the surgery. Good luck!

YHW · Guest

I had 4 blown disk, C4 thru C7 and had surgery in August, UGH!
I had a comb like device inserted thru my throat and now I have titainium neck. I live in pain, when I lift, reach, turn or bend forward
the pain worsens. Will it ever end? I don't know...The doctor tells me time will heal me but I doubt it!!

YHW

badneckpete · Newbie Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Pasadena, CA

I underwent a 3-level ACDF (C4-7) in June 2006. I was diagnosed with disc degenerative disease in 1990, so I went 16 years before surgery was the only option. When I finally "blew" through the remaining discs, I was in excruciating pain with little or no movement without pain. Post-op, my range of motion has improved tremendously. In fact, unless someone knows I've been through the surgery, they would never guess I had a problem with my neck.

If you revisit this post, I'd like to know how you're doing.

Guest · Guest

WOW~ I am incouraged by your recovery, thanks for responding.
I am making progress but I continue to experience pain. Funny... because I have DDD also, I was told this when I was in my twenties and I too just live with the pain. I work out/train and have my entire life so this also may have contributed to my blown disk as I lifted pretty heavy for being my size. When the forth disk blew that was all I could handle and the pain was dibilatating. Maybe I just need more time to heal : ) I'm physically in good shape and miss my gym time.

Yo

Guest · Guest

Guest · Guest

I had c6-7 fusion done in 2004. It was 100% fusion in only 4 weeks. Awesome experience. The hip pain was the worst. Now I have to have 4-5 fused. Not looking forward to that. Only having pain this time. No numbness or nerve damage. I believe I would rather have the numbeness than this crappy pain! Hang in there!

c4-7 disk fusion neck movement

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