cervical disectomy fusion c4-5, c 5-6, severe cervical arthr

hi, I had a 3-level acdf C4-C7w/cadaver bone a plate and 8 screws 5/24/12, I was very anal about wearing my collar 24/7 only taking it off for 30-60 seconds on the days I washed my hair(after ok from neurosurgeon). I was given a bone stimulator and was doing well for about 6 months then I started experiencing terrible migrains neck pain and pinching in back of neck fallowed by numbness in rt scapula radiating down rt arm, I told PM and surgeon I felt something was wrong, I heard/felt clicking they assured me I was ok. I had MRI in may fallowed by an xray then CTscan and low and behold I have a broken screw C7 area!! Surgeon said not to worry as I had already fused, then he gave me a new bone stimulator,now I'm just a layman but this does not make sence!!I was also told the disc above fusion was bad and should be addressed!!When they saw the broken screw the doc said I have never seen this before,what did "YOU" do!! I am so frustrated and scared!! I was in neck brace for 9 weeks during a very hot summer, my fear is turning to anger I am loosing hope and my confidence in my doctors. I don't know what to do!! I am now having trouble swallowing and a great deal of neck pain!!

I had cervical spine ACDF surgery in March 2011 and now I have two broken screws at C-5-6, C6-7. waiting on surgery date

Desiray, I have a c4-c5,c5-c6,c6-c7 and was just in an auto accident where the woman who hit me broke the c-4 l/right screw, the screw and plate above are now discolored ( meaning they have been twisted, pushed, pulled or simply traumatized ) as well as the screw itself is now at a 3-4 degree downangle. my question is does this merit another surgery ? What did you do/find out, if you don't mind. I also agree about pain level, I have pain now WORSE than before, or after surgery. I never wanted to have gen. anesthesia again unless it was a stroke or heart attack.

My husband had anterior cervical sept 6 2013 on c5-6. We went in for his 3 month check up and the xray already showed a broken screw. He was at home healing for 2months and then on light duty at work. He did not even know that this had happened. He has been in pain but just thought he was healing. Not only that the xray showed the plate has slid down 1/4 inch under the lip of his c6-7 surgery plate done in 2011. 2 months and a screw is broken. I have been trying to do research and yes it seems there can be screw failure but I am showing years not a couple of months. Help if anybody can give advice. Our surgeon does not seem concerned. How do they get out a broken screw? Should we be paying for this? Advice on where to reseach

Hi, I am 8 years post op cervical double fusion surgery. i experienced through the years more and more pain, numbness and chronic headaches waking me up. I was later told my screw is broke at C 6 and the fusion did not fuse . Now that i have become more sympto matic after my fall down 13 stairs started experiencing more pain upper extremity pain and lower arm pain going into fingers it now is time for sugical repair. unforturnately the surgery will have to be done in the back of my neck this time. Wish me luck and much prayers needed.

Yes my plate is broken in half and 2 screws broken ...I need the name of the maker of the plate ... can anyone help??!

If you have yet to find out the maker of your hardware you could do some of the following.

 

Get a detailed hospital bill. Request the doctors notes for you entire record & surgery. And as most hospitals are doing now, see if they have an online medical record site. These do help with quick & easy details.

  Also if any of you have not done this yet, request a CD of all xrays, MRI's, CT Scans, basically any & all images. At hospitals you usually have to go to the Radiology Department. Not to Medical Records. It to would be smart if you request a copy of your complete medical records. This is from all of your hopitals, doctors, PT clinics. Everywhere. It will make a difference later

If you have yet to find out the maker of your hardware you could do some of the following.



Get a detailed hospital bill. Request the doctors notes for you entire record & surgery. And as most hospitals are doing now, see if they have an online medical record site. These do help with quick & easy details.

Also if any of you have not done this yet, request a CD of all xrays, MRI's, CT Scans, basically any & all images. At hospitals you usually have to go to the Radiology Department. Not to Medical Records. It to would be smart if you request a copy of your complete medical records. This is from all of your hopitals, doctors, PT clinics. Everywhere. It will make a difference later

I have delbt with c spine pain most of my life when I was 28 I was in so much pain from

degenerating discs that I decided to try cervical fuisions, being technologoly wasn't as advanced as today.  I have delbt with constant agony since then for 18 years I have suffered.  I am forced to work even social security wont give me disibility.  On TOP OF THAT even, I have a T 5 bludge (probably herniated by now), and two more discs in my lower back forget one but I know that L 5 is completly degenerated.  Our social security disability system is COMPLETElY MORONIC.......

I had my neck fused November 2007 and just had x-rays due to my left leg going numb and found out that one of the screws broke in half and the bone unfused! I have the best doctor (Dr. Robert Heart in Newark N.J.) but was shocked to hear that this happened. He said he can repair but I can't believe I am reading how many people are going through the same problem. I think we all should look into the possibility of the manufacturer of the screws making defective screws. Has anyone checked this out?

IM NOT SURE YOU REGLIGIOUS BELIEFS BUT ALL I CAN SAY TO EVERYONE GET AHOLD OF GOD.... AND IF YOU DONT CARE TO, THATS OK... SOMEDAY YOU WILL.. Please don't get me wrong, im now 45, and had the spinal fusion/discectomy C4-5 and C 5-6 back in 2010. I continued to have complications but the surgeon said ahhhh it will take over a year to heal. well a year later I have no insureance and NEVER thought something could still be going on in my neck, Finnally I got insurance and the Dr sent me for and x-ray I got the results in Dec 2014. Sent to the hospital and yes 2 broken screws C4 and C6 along with a closed fracture of c4 vertebrae. NOW, I live in Nevada you only have 1 year from the date you found out. IM SCARED TO GO TO MY ORIGINAL suregeon and I CANT FIND another dr to take on my case. SAME BOAT WITH THE PAIN MEDS .....I HATE THEM, BUT CANT MOVE OR DO ALOT WITHOUT THEM. I STOPPED COLD TURKEY FROM OCYCONTIN 80 MG 3 TIME A DAY AND OXYCODONE 30 MG 6 TIMES A DAY. After the 5th day I thought I was going to die. I cant tell you how many Dr's refuse to even see me. By the GRACE of GOD I finally have an appointment Aug 6. 2 ATTORNYES SAID THEY DIDNT WANT THE CASE, TO MUCH WORK AND THEY WONT MAKE ENOUGH MONEY... ALL THAT MAKES A PERSON FILL LIKE c**p KNOWING THEY DONT CARE, THEY ONLY WANT THE MONEY. iM STILL PUSHING AS HARD AS I CAN TO GET HELP. I DONT WANT MILLIONS, I JUST WANT TO FEEL BETTER... SO MUCH FOR THE DRS. OTH... PS. I HAD ONE DR STATE" THE ONLY WAY TITAINUIM SCREWS BREAK IS THEY ARE OVER TIGHTENED AT THE TIME. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. I HAVE A LOT MORE TO SAY BUT DONT WANT TO BORE EVERYONE. CONTACT ME, IM NOT A SPECIALIST, DR , OR ANYTHING... JUST A JOE THAT COLLECTED ALOT OF MY PAPERWORK AND HAS DONE ALOT OF RESEARCH. MAYBE WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER.... GOD BLESS... JEFF

I had v5 - c7 fused. Titanium plate and bone graft from my illiac crest. Not only did the plate break in half, but so did the fusion. My neck was BROKEN! I have had the head of a "bioscrre" snap off wher it attached to my tibia. Hardware fails at times.

I had an anterior C5 C6 fusion in 2006 and was aent back to work after 8 weeks to full duty feeling fine. In 2013 I reinjured my neck and it was discovered that two of my screws were broken. I had revision fusion in 2013 and now I am I worse pain than before. On top of that, it is now Aug 2015 and I do not have a solid fusion. I am miserable in pain everyday

Hi. I just had fusion in sept 2014, and went for one year check up and my plate and screws are broke. Plate is broke in half. I would've called my dr a liar if I didn't see it wit my own eyes. Any advice?? I'm facing another surgery ASAP due to spinal chord damage.

I just found out two days ago that one of my screws broke. I had an Anterior Cervical Fusion on my C 4-5, 5-6 and 6-7 at the age of 39, 2 1/2 years ago. I've been in excruciating pain, migraines, numbness, weakness, etc. Reading up on this, it seems to be fairly common. I'm just sad that I had to have a second surgery. The first one was hard enough.