Cervical Spine Surgery C4-C7-does it qualify for disablity?

Monica Lynn, we have almost same experience, I been discharged fro the hospita 10 dyas ago for cervecal operation, c4,c5 and c6. till now my hands are experiencing numbness and from time to time my feet and back too. my doctor advised me if there is pain don't go for exercise. I followed the Dr. advised and now 2 days now I didn't felt numb and pain. let the wound be healed first without pain then go for given exercises by the thyrapist. anf keep moving

Hi Monica, My brother had undergone C4-5,c6-c7 surgery, in ahalia hospital in june. 2012 Abudhabi, untill now he is saying that he is having the same problem as before. his right hand cant do anything and aloso the right leg. burning, and alot of problems. I am so worried he the surgery didn't succeeded. and again need to the same.

God bless you...your healing in on the way. May 13, 2012, I'd awakened to sever pain in my neck and right shoulder. I thought I had played too hard with my son on the gaming system and decided to self-medicate and keep moving forward. After 2 weeks the pain became worst and I began to experience numbness and tingling in my upper right arm. I went to my primary physician and he did a test and stated I had the symptoms of cervical spondylosis. The doctor prescribed an x-ray and physical therapy. After the x-ray results I had to make an appointment to get an EMG that found I have some weak nerve readings in C5 and C6. By that time the numbness and tingling moved further down my right arm and my pinky to middle finger. After an appointment was finally scheduled to see a neurologist, the sensations felt moved to my left arm and hand (loosing complete feeling in both pinky fingers--the thumb was not affected). Had a MRI and found I had spondylosis in C5-6 and my spinal cord was pitch. Nerve damage was feared and surgery was scheduled for two weeks later. Now, I have complete feeling in my arms and hands. The only pain I am experiencing is the growing pains from healing (nerves regenerating and muscles strengthening). Dr. Eyke and Dr. Molton, in Muskegon, were wonderful.

Hi bobby im having the same prob. but im all so having bad headaces , im going in tusday for surgery my dr. was the same way at first, not shure what changed his mind good luck to you!!!

I have c-6 c-7 disk extrusion. Do you think this would need servery. Lot of pain in right arm.

Yes, it does qualify, I am 45 y/o, at 42 my spine collasped at c4-7, i am now on social security. I was initially denied, however I went to my local congressman, and after they contacted social security, I was approved. All of my medical documentation supported my disability including my doctors and surgeon. Good luck

I have had c3-4 to c 6-7 fusions plate in my c5 and I have been disqualified for disability 3 times so STUPID I also have bulge disc in my T5 and L5 is completely degenerated I have major scapula pain constantly so if your frustrated I completely understand because our government are a bunch of idiots I'm a 44 year old male and work 80 hours a pay period because I have to eat I am beyond frustrated.

Since you Gals wrote this 2 yrs ago, you may already be on Disability by now....but if you are afraid of being turned down, then get a Disability Lawyer. They can get it done! You will only have to pay him if you win. You will get a lump sum of money dating allvthe way back to when you first applied for Disability. My friend just got $10,000. The Lawyer will want a portion of that....but it may be worth it. You will also have Medicare after a year or two.

I too have had the same surgery. The problems I am experiencing are swallowing, difficult moving my head and a cracking in the upper part of my neck.

Did you file a workers comp claim with a lawyer when you experienced this work injury?
The reason I ask is because I just experienced a hit in the head at my job and it caused me serious pain in my head neck and shoulder. i was sent to several doctors and had several tests. Nothing...everything negative. Then they (my workers comp doctors) sent me to a Orthopedic dr who did an MRI and found i had C4-C7 herniated from the blow to my head and neck. I dont know what to do. I am now scheduled for surgery next wk. Workers comp hasnt paid me in 3 wks and ive been outta work for 7wks...
I really am lost and dont know what to do...

Yes Monica I did receive SSDI I had the same surgery in 2010 and my right side is still weak loosing my balance.The surgery helped for roughly 6 months,my neck is stiff.It's been 3 yrs.and doing worst than I was before the surgery, it's very stressful.

Hi all. In June 2012 i had C4-5, C5-6 anterior cervical fusion with cadaver bone, plate and screws. Excellent outcome. I had multiple herniated discs, severe cervical spondylosis. The nerves at those two levels were compressing the spinal cord, causing severe arm and hand pain/numbness. I was dropping things, and had migraines frequently, but headaches daily. Chronic pain, sleep deprivation, severe fatigue, irritability, bladder irritability from the nerves compressing. My pain began 1994. I dealt with it, worked fulltime, and raised three kids. Beginning 2009, the pain was dibiltating. Affecting my daily living to a point of having to stop work. During years 1994 through June 2012,if you can think of a drug, i had taken it. I could fill a page with meds tried, failed, allergic to, worked, then stopped helping, etc. I had physical therapy galore, trigger point injections, over 30 facet injections, topical this cream and that, accupuncture, massage, prolo therapy. I tried every avenue for relief. Some meds would take the "edge off", but none ever releaving the pain.My pain scale daily -a 7-9. I stopped working April 2010, filed for disability May 2010, received denial September 2010 (always expect an initial denial). After this, is when hyou get an attorney who ONLY does social security disability! Never an "ambulance chaser" attorney. Try to use a smaller firm to avoid being passed along between legal assistants, attorneys as if you were a dish on a buffet line! Make a free consultation appt, and be sure NO $$ is required. If they say they need  a retainer or few hundred bucks for records copying, etc., leave!. In disability cases the attorney pays out of their firms funds for such matters, and when you win a favorable decision on your case, the government pays the attorney a set amount, usually $6000 is the ca. Some states are less. When you receive your back pay check (retroactive) those attorney fees will have already been deducted. You may then receive a bill  from  your attorney stating you  have a balance due for medical records, postage.

From initial filing to favorable decision, it was three years. Two to three is average due to the influx of filings. You will get denied initially, and most likely on your appeal which is the second filing done by your attorney. At this stage, your attorney files what is called a Reconsideration. That filing is reviewed by an Administrative Law Judge. He sets a hearing date, and time. You and your attorney will attend such hearing and in the room will be a court recorder, and a vocational rehab person. They speak with the judge as to whether there is ANY job you could do, with or without accommodations. If VR person says no, you will most likely be approved disability. Within 30-90 days the judges written decision will be in your mail. Once you receive that, providing it is a yes...you will receive your money anywhere from 30 days to a few months. It MUST be electronically deposited into your bank account. Disability checks are no longer mailed. After your initial payout, your monthly $ will be deposited just as your first was. Medicare part A is yours automatically which is for in patient hospital only. Medicare part B is your choice which  is used for all outpatient visits, and tests. You must sign a rejection form if you do not want par B. Otherwise, $104/each month will be automatically deducted from your monthly check. It represents the monthly part B premium. Medicare Part A is free

A few important notes; you must have earned enough credits through your work years to qualify.You must be not working to file, i.e., if you are currently on unemployment, receiving $, then applying for SSDisabity is the polar opposite of what collecting unemployment means, which is stating that you are able to work at a gainfu job and are looking for work. Disability is stating you cannot work! So be honest. Keel in mind...big brother IS watching and all government agencies are interconnected through our computers. They know who is scamming.

Keep seeing your doctors, and importantly, seek a therapist and psychiatrist. In the mind of social security- you cant be too sick or in that much pain if you're not depressed, and/or having emotional issues, etc. Keep copies of your medical records, tests, etc. Keep a personal diary of your symptoms. Get your pharmacy(s) to print out your prescription history every six months.

As to the surgery, get at the very least two opinions.I had five and all agreed. If I opted to continue postponing the surgery, i was putting myself at risk if i fell, or was in an accident. Irreversible damage was imminent and permanent. I rented a comfy recliner for one month. Though i could sleep ok in bed, at easr the recliner was there if needed. Be sure your surgeon is qualified, and ask any questions. Get your surgeons schedule for the week to 10 days post op. Many docs take vacations whenever, or a quick weekender trip. So if he does your surgery say Thursday, and leaves for a trip Friday...uhm, i wonder who youll see for discharge or when you may need him or her if a complication arises. Same scenario if he just came off a trip,and he is jet lagged, tired, hungover...i dont think you want him cutting near your spine! Opt for first patient on his schedule so you are getting him fresh and alert.. I awoke from surgery hungry, thirsty and pain free! I ate, visited, and took drugs right on time, to try and tough it out...No, because if you wait too long between meds, you wont be able to stay on top of the pain. Breakthru pain is pain that seeps in usually between med dosing times. I had a little sore throat but that is from the intubation during general anaesthesia. Your main pain, or discomfort will be the back of your lower neck and across your shoulders. It is quite intense. It is due to the pressure the surgeon applies when screwing in the plate. It will subside within like 6-24 hours. Everyone is different. I had no swallowing issues, but a little rasp in my voice. All common. Typically, you can go home six hours post surgery, but most folks stay overnight. 

Good luck, and i hope my comments were helpful. Peace

 

 

I had c4-5 fusion done dec 2011. I have been in constant pain since day one post op. I have unbearable pain starting in my left shoulder blade all the way down to the tip of mI left index finger. I had c5-7 Fusion done 2010 and dr said that while he was doing c4-5 fusion he would remove the plate from my c5-7 fusion. Well, he stripped the bottom screw when he was removing the plate and ended up trying several very invasive ways to pry the screw out. In the end he just ground the head of the screw off and left it in my neck. I have just recently been to a new doctor and based on new X-rays says my c4-5 fusion has failed. He also fears that I have permanant c6 nerve damage that may have been caused by the attempts to remove the screw. I'm an accountant and have been off work since mid June since pain was becoming unbearable and I was taking so many pain meds they were effecting my ability to think reasonably. Has anyone else ever had an issue like my dr did when he tried to remove the hardware from a previous fusion?

forgot to ask in last post if perm nerve damage and constant pain in arm and hand qualify for disability? 

Staceykinney I am so sorry to hear that your fusion surgery was such a terrible outcome. Thank heaven you have a new doc who seems on the right path. I would seek an attorney first due to the first surgical failure. Sounds like malpractice. Get a disability consultation with a reputable attorney right away. He or she will be best suited to advise you. I would certainly say you qualify. It is a very tough journey, so I hope you have financial, spousal, family support. It is a lengthy process. Read my post for some insight. Please seek a second opinion before you proceed on another surgery. I wish you all the best. Keep me upfated please. Peace and soft hugs, Lillibug :)