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

Staceykinney, my initial, lengthy post was under my "guest" user name Cindijeanne. Hopefully, you'll find it helpful. Also, go to the Social Security website and you can then read what medical conditions qualify for disability. Keep in mind though, there is way more to it than your condition, etc. SSD is a very in depth entity. There are many factors that come in to play. Condition, length of illness, age, field you work in, your education, your current time off work, your hobbies, your limitations, your abilities to perform, even part time in a different job, and so on. I am 53, female. I have no college, and I mainly did administrative work, which SS considers "sedentary work". I have more than my cervical condition as well. So do your research, and if I can be of help, please ask. Again, peace and soft hugs!

I had a spinal fusion at c3-c4 and c6-c7 about 3 years ago and I am still feeling alot of shoulder pain as well as my right forearm arm(which was stronger than my left before the surgery) feels alot weaker and feels pain when i lift anything more than 5 pounds. I recently saw a pain management specialist and got a cortizone shot on the right side because of developing arthritis in the sections that arent fused. it helped for about 4 months and I am now starting to feel the pain again. Would I qualify for disability? back in 2010 i got denied when my surgeon tried to put me on it I think because of my age being so young. I am now 26 and dealing with all of this pain.  I work as an admin assistant so my job is very sedetary so I have to get up every hour just to stretch and walk around. I plan on going to a new doctor next week because my pain management doctor said that he wouldnt suggest disability because in his words "people generally get worse on disability"..Im not really sure what my other options are.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I had anterior C4-C7 fusion July 2012.  After 15 1/2 weeks off work (clerical), I was finally released to work PT until 1/1/13.  Now I am working part-time due to more problems in neck and now bulging lumbar discs.  After 3 MRIs and 2 CT mylogram, along with EMG, I will see the surgeon on Monday, Sept. 23 to find out results and next step to help control pain and nerve damage.  Upon recovery from last year's surgery, I noticed slight improvement in the numbness in fingers, hands, and arms.  Now the numbness is worse, along with loss of strength in my right arm and leg.  Disability has been mentioned by my attending physician but I'm holding off pending results of these tests.  Good luck but I find not much relief was found after the C4-C7 fusion.  By the way, tests have revealed my neck is fused and surgery was successful.  It appears I have further problems, degenerative disc disease.  I constantly use heat/ice and over-the-counter pain medications have not been helpful.  Also, I take 1-2 Flexaril muscle relaxers daily.  Now Oxycodone has been prescribed for pain management.

 

Yes, I have had three neck surgeries. First with c5-c7, using cadaver bones. Second surgery was to refuse c7 due to a non-fusion. Third surgery was fusing c4-c5 together with grafting bone from my right hip. I now have a non-fusion of c4-c5. After my first surgery in March, 2009, I return to work in June,2009 with no restrictions. Because I was doing a lot of overhead activity and lifting 50 pounds or more, this caused c7 not to fuse. February, 2010 was to refuse c7 and it healed but c4 dropped (sitting on the nerve between c4 & c5). April, 2012 was my third surgery and the fusion did not take. Was advise to refuse c4, but decided to wait and research for better options. I am on social security disability (I was 57 when I started on social security disability in February, 2012 and was back paid to August, 2010). I have numbness in my right and left hand, burning shoulders and neck, headaches, a lot of nerve activity. My surgeon used a plate with the first and third surgery and rods with screws with the second surgery. I am looking for better options and have hope that I will be able to work in the future.

you must have a very easy job

I had a fusion c4 - c5 in 2009, the spinal cord was compressed so had to have emergency surgery, clear bone/disc parts off of spinal cord -- donor bones/ plate/ screws - tnerve damage - the whole bit. Then 6 months later had an auto accident that totally exploded by left shoulder; 8-inch plate/ 14 3-inch screws to reconstruct all of that, year of physical therapy. Then another shoulder surgery year later to clean up scar tissue, remove some of the metal. Then just recently (2013) had the c6 - c7 fused due to bottom discs blowing, compressed nerve root, compression on spinal cord. So now fused C4 - C7. I came through all surgerys well, still experience nerve pain but use various methods to manage this including TENS unit, massage therapy, physical therapy. I work full time, 50 years old..... Don't misunderstand me, the surgeries and healing periods were, and are SO difficult, but, I searched for the absolute BEST surgeons I could find. For my spine repair; I got the best cervical surgeon that specilized in just that type of surgery. For my shoulder reconstruction......I got the best that specialized in that type of surgery (went through 5 others before I found one that would / or had the skills to even attempt to rebuild and not just replace the whole shoulder/arm). Then, got them both to consult when the nerve pathways between the two injuries were unbearably painful......then searched for the leading Nuerologist to help with that. Ask lots of questions, seek alternative ways of dealing with the pain, stay active ---- I take very little pain meds. Mostly, PT, TENS, prayer/meditation, lots of walking. You will get through it, just take it a day at a time and keep moving forward. I am very independent, and the hardest thing for me to learn through all of this is to ask for help and accept it.

Monica,
I had the exact same surgery as you in October. I just filed for ss disability this week. I'll let you know what they say.

I had same fusion, 11/2 years ago, did you get SSD ? , I have not applied yet.

I am on social security disability since February, 2012. I had three surgery, but only had two prior to receiving social security disability. I still have all the symptoms that your are having plus more with the nerves. Had third surgery in April, 2013 and bone did not fuse. Suppose to have another surgery, but do not want to do it, because I get worse after every surgery. Get all medical records, have 15 years of employment, all doctor's names (addresses & phone numbers), and medications listed. If feel comfortable, have a company that specializes in social security disability or an attorney to start your case. Need to be out of wok for al least one year.

OMG! yes you do qualify fo ss disb, I have had the same surgery, twice, once because the cadaver implant rejected, they went in a second time and used bone graft from my hip, they went in the back this time, the healing is HELL! I wish I did not have the second surgery, as it has completely dihabilated my life! My left arm is useless, no muscle tone at all, my head leans to the left and I am in constant pain. You need to find a doctor who specializes in SS Disb.! He or she will give you a medical evaluation and also write any letters needed by the court to back up your disability claim. Hang in there! If you are under 50 years of age, they will automatically deny the first claim, you need a lawyer to help you, but the disability expert will hepl you most, he or she will be the one who writes the letter to get you on disability. Good luck!!

u people ever think about being alive and able to work instead of beating the system?

Hi, my neurosurgeon decided the best treatment is cortisone injections in my neck, a neck brace "collar" and physio. I am in constant pain. I have needle and pins in my left arm and compete arm, I even get the needles in pins in my legs. I Wake up with at night, it feels like a red hot poker goes through my neck and shoulders. Anyone else that can help, it is not fun!

Keep your faith And get a representative to help you with SSD. Don't give up keep appealing. You will get a hearing with a judge and be able to talk to him directly and show him how you are disabled. God bless and I will be praying for you!

i have to have same surgery this feb.i"M trying to get disability.had four spine surgeries already.I had to get a lawyer and still havent got it??going in front of a judge within a year.It seems to take like two years or longer to get it even if you do.someone just making a call by looking at doctors reports will decide if you get it or not.it's a joke trying to get it but i"m still trying.might be another two years though?im 52 and all this started when i was in my 30's.i wish ya the best of luck get well soon,

good for you. I have had a 4 level fusion and work fulltime also. Some days are worse then others, but on the whole, the pain is a whole lot better then prior to surgery