Surgery????? | Arthritis Information

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I have bone spurs on my spine in my neck which causes pain, numbness and tingling down my left arm. Im sure some of you remember me mentioning it a few weeks back. Well, my doc says on friday that im not at the point of surgery yet but eventually i will get there. I guess he's meaning that this problem wont go away without it. He said they would go in and take the spurs off and put some kind of plate in????

Others here have probably had that kind of surgery, repair, etc., so they can answer your questions better. Please make sure your surgeon communicates with your RA. They need to talk. They may or may not know when to start up your RA meds and only you can tell?!

I sure hope you get help with your pain, numness and tingling. Love, Lynda

Im really scared about having this surgery. I read on the internet that there are so many complications with it. I just dont want to be in extreme pain which Im sure I will. My doc acts like it is no big deal to have this done. He says you'll be off work for about 2 weeks but some people go back in a week!!!Scary stuff, indeed, but imagine the relief you will have once the surgical wounds heal!!!

I've had major back surgery in 2002 and have a full meccano set in my lower back. It was the best thing I ever did. I too wish I'd had it done sooner. I can bend over without the fear of not getting back up. I dont suffer the tingling and numbness (unless I do something silly and aggrivate my left side) that I used to. I was up the day after surgery and wasnt allowed to leave until I'd managed the stairs, which I did two days later, 3 days after that I was at home recouperating. I was back at work 6 weeks later. You will be advised about the possible complications and as with all surgery there are possible complications and it is dead scary. Do they put the plates in to stop the spurs growing back?

Good luck with your decision.

Yeah I guess that's what they will put the plate in for.

Im worried about the fibro and RA will I be taking extra pain meds???

more prednisone??? Ugh!!!!

momofthree39410.4899189815

I've not had this surgery done, but have two friends that have, and they are both pain free now and have absolutely no regrets.

My main consideration if I were to need this type of surgery, would be to make sure I have a highly recommended and qualified neurosurgeon doing the surgery. Some orthopedic docs also do this type of surgery, but I personally would not have it done by an orthopedic surgeon.

[QUOTE=Brisen]

I've not had this surgery done, but have two friends that have, and they are both pain free now and have absolutely no regrets.

My main consideration if I were to need this type of surgery, would be to make sure I have a highly recommended and qualified neurosurgeon doing the surgery. Some orthopedic docs also do this type of surgery, but I personally would not have it done by an orthopedic surgeon.

[/QUOTE]

You can also have a multidisciplinary team.  When my father had back surgery a few years ago (same type of surgery as being discussed here, but on the lower back) there was 1 neurosurgeon and 1 orthopedic surgeon working in tandem to perform the surgery.
Just as long as the orthopedic doc is the attending. [QUOTE=Brisen]Just as long as the orthopedic doc is the attending.

Please ask your doctor about this.

My ortho doc says he will not do this type of surgery he is not trained in it but will send me to one of the top surgeons in Cincinnati,Oh. I live in Ohio by the way. University hospital is one of the best around here. That makes me feel good. The main reason Im scared is because my dad had this same surgery and I dont know if he waited too long or what but he ended up paralyzed.

Hi lolo,

How long was your surgery??? How bad was your pain?? Oh wow is it a really long cut across the neck??

My sister is a stay-at-home mom; she was told she will be in the hospital for 2-4 days, and will be driving again (with one of those neck brace thingies) in a couple of weeks.  My friend who had it done was off work for 6 weeks, but only because our company allowed 6 weeks for major surgery, and he did not want to come back to 60-hour workweeks until he was pretty well healed.  He was going stir-crazy those last couple of weeks at home. Momofthree. Go on the internet and find out about your surgeon. Also, find
out about the hospitals infection rate. When you have spine surgery, there
is that increased risk of infection. Make sure you are having it done in a
place of high infection control standards. Also, find out what that surgeons
infection rate is. There are web sites out there that will give you all of this
info. good luck.

[QUOTE=lorster]Momofthree. Go on the internet and find out about your surgeon. Also, find
out about the hospitals infection rate. When you have spine surgery, there
is that increased risk of infection. Make sure you are having it done in a
place of high infection control standards. Also, find out what that surgeons
infection rate is. There are web sites out there that will give you all of this
info. good luck.[/QUOTE]

 

OMG Thanks Lorster I didnt realize that!!!! Now Im really scared

MOT, I'm sorry you're in pain and you're scared!! I would be super anxious myself if I had to have that type of surgery. I've not had that surgery nor know anyone who has. From everyone else's experiences, it looks like it's worth it in the end. I would do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions.
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