|
[ Spinal Problems Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |
Dear Doctor:
I am a 51 year old female in otherwise good health. I had surgery on 10/12/2000 for removal of osteophytes which were allegedly causing severe right shoulder and arm pain which radiated across the back of the neck and into my left shoulder. The surgeon pointed out several areas on the MRI studies which showed full stenosis of nerve canals servicing these areas. I was told that after surgery to remove the osteophytes, I would be just fine. During the surgery he did remove osteophyites, but also fused C5-6 and C6-7, using cadaver bone, titanium screws, plates and wires. After surgery the pain in my upper right arm is much better, however, the right shoulder is worse. The major problem is that I can no longer flex my neck in a forward position, such as one does everyday in working at a desk, eating a meal, etc. without excrutiating pain in my neck, and, of course, shoulder. He tells me this is due to a possible pseudoarthrosis. One of the fusions seems to have fused well (C6-7), but at C5-6, the fusion does not look very good. He now wants to operate from the front, remove the two fusions he did, replace them with harvested hip bone, and remove a large osteophyte which he told me he could not get at from the back. He will then place yet another titanium plate in the front. He promises me that the shoulder pain will be alleviated, but cannot guaranty any relief from the neck pain, which has caused me to lose my job of long standing and made me unfit for furher employment. Please, doctor, explain to me exactly what pseudoarthrosis is, what caused it and why do I now have this terrible neck pain that I did not have before surgery. I am taking Vicodin daily (for 6 months now) and am concerned about my liver and kidneys. I am also extremely depressed as most of my normal activities have been curtailed. I was an avid golfer and gardener. Now I cannot eat a meal without resting the back of my head against some support. I desperately need help. The pain is excruciating, my life as I knew it is gone, the depression is negatively affecting me and everyone around me. What is your advise as to further surgery? Post-op CT Scans and MRIs are inconclusive because of the hardware I am carrying. Any assistance or guidance you can offer me will most appreciated. Thank you.
In Reply to: Cervical Fusions - Resulting Possible Pseudoarthrosis posted by Marty on April 17, 2001 at 17:45:51:
Hi, Marty.
Start with the archives about spinal problems. It is too late to be perfect but not too late for what you should have been told in the beginning to help you now.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Cervical Fusions - Resulting Possible Pseudoarthrosis posted by Waslt Stoll on April 19, 2001 at 08:41:09:
Dr. Stoll,
I have spent an hour researching the archives, but I find nothing defining pseudoarthrosis. What is it exactly. I am told that only exploratory surgery can detect such a condition. As I mentioned before, the surgeon wants to do more surgery, replacing the fusions with harvested hip bone, but does not promise relief from the neck pain. What is pseudoarthrosis? What do you recommend regarding further surgery?
Thank You,
Marty
In Reply to: Re: Cervical Fusions - Resulting Possible Pseudoarthrosis posted by Marty on April 19, 2001 at 16:14:45:
Hi, Marty.
Pseudarthrosis meand "false joint". Your bodymind is trying to maintain motion in the area that was fused. SO, it creates a false joint. Unfortunately the bodymind cannot, as yet, also form the cartilege that is present in every normal joint; so there is bone on bone and that is what causes your symptoms.
The reason I sugggested you read all of the spinal archives (which takes longer than a few hours) is that you need to understand the contributing factors, that you DO still have control over, to keep this from getting worse.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Cervical Fusions - Resulting Possible Pseudoarthrosis (Archive in spinal.) posted by Walt Stoll on April 21, 2001 at 08:23:59:
I have had over 15 back surgeries, with alot of complications. One of my rods looks like it is protruding through the skin on top, and one of the big bone screws is trying to back out of my spine, but the "new" thing that was listed on my x-rays last week was the word pseudoarthrosis, (I also have grade 4 spondolethis) excuse the spelling,,, which I quess is where the bones create a false joint. Anyway is this important, does it break and cause problems, do you have to have another back surgery!
Believe me at the age of 46, I do not look forward to more surgery. Already have never damage from a pedicle screw gone awry years ago, have what the call flat back syndrome from Harrington rod fusion, so should I be concerned about pseudoarthrosis, or do I just ignore it and go on with my life, I work part-time too, and I hate to give up my job, please let me know if there are any articles on what happens to a broken false joint!!
In Reply to: Re: Cervical Fusions - Resulting Possible Pseudoarthrosis (Archive in spinal.) posted by Christine on April 30, 2001 at 15:03:49:
Hi, Christine.
It is never too late to be benefitted by what would have helped more earlier in your saga. However, you are pretty far along the path to invalidism.
What have you learned from the archives?
Walt
|
[ Spinal Problems Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |