Bone spur removal C3 4. Anybody experiance this location?

[Mike L.]

Hello I am a new member. @ months ago my neck rotated too much at the chiro. The numbing pain is only between my neck and right shoulder. The MRI says an unusually large bone spur. I have been to one nuero surgeon and was told fusion single level C3,4. Tomorrow I go to his office partner. Tuesday I have an appt with Dr. Regan. My symptoms are getting a little worse I am feeling light headed, throat hurts, 24/7 numbness in shoulder and I even feel my bowels are a little different. This spur needs to go.

Unfortunately I had a pulminary embolism 8-22-08 after arthroscopic surgery so I don't know if I can wait until next year like my first Dr. wants to do. I am hoping to return to biking, swimming, surfing and playing with my son. I am a 53 year old male test tech currently on disability from the PE now the neck.

Thanks to all and healing to us soon!
Mike

[KBear]

Mike, I have absolutely no clue on the problem; but did want to say welcome to the group. I am sure somebody will chime in with help to your problem soon. Good Luck and Best Wishes! Just curious, how old is your son? I have a 5 yr old and almost 3 yr. old, both girls.

[Mike L.]

Hi, Thanks for your reply. Now all of a sudden my back is in pain. Going to 2 neuro surgeons in the next 2 days. This numb shoulder is really frightening but I hear that after surgery this impingement is history!
Just trying to get my research done and make a decision. My General Dr. says that he went to a conference for doctors this year and says that ADR is still too early. He recomends fusion.
Mike

[KBear]

Originally Posted by Mike L.

My General Dr. says that he went to a conference for doctors this year and says that ADR is still too early. He recomends fusion.
Mike

Isn't that crazy, that from a conference, no first hand experience, that he would make a judgement like that! I know a lot of people are not canidates for ADR or are better suited for fusion; but so very many are canidates and do better with ADR than fusion. My surgeon told me that I was too young for a fusion and would end up with more problems down the road from it (I have had 4 or 5 dr's tell me the same thing). He said that I was a perfect canidate, albeit younger than the 'general' ADR age, which I am told is mid-forties. Not everyone is an ADR canidate and sadly there are many on here who weren't and didn't know it, until post-ADR. That's why I would find a surgeon who does both fusion and ADR, that way the opinion will hopefully not be biased toward one or the other and get many opinions.

[Alastair]

First Let me say that you've got to realise that no matter how many conferences your doctor went to they are only "humans", and this does not make them immortal or with perfect judgement.

I have followed through over 1200 ADR and spinal surgeries over the last 17 years, and you can have some of the most ideal patients, with the perfect surgeon, and it still can all go wrong.

It sounds as if you need this spur removing (although I have not seen the x-rays and I'm not a Doctor). Hopefully they should be able to do that with fairly minor surgery (endoscopic), you don't need to rush into ADR for that type of problem, so please don't try and get yourself braced for that.

The only downside thing about taking bone spurs off, is that they can grow again, there still is no specific rule for that to happen or not to happen. I think you will find info in the FAQ`s for that

I wish you well in your quest to find a solution, some of your symptoms indeed sounds as if you have got pressure on certain nerves.
Best,
Alastair

[Terry]

I had bone spurs at C5-C6 & C6-C7 and had a hemi-laminectomy in 1995 which gave me 11 years of comfort until my accident and then subsequent 4-level ADR in November 2006. My left shoulder, left forearm and hand hurt like hell prior to the surgery. I got great pain relief from this procedure.

Terry Newton

[Mike L.]

Hi, Got 3 different approaches:

1. Local Neuro he saved my friends life 8 years ago. He wants fusion C34. Wants me to wait untill it hurts more.

2. Another great local Neuro, he suggests cutting the nerve to my clenched shoulder leaving the 20% central cord impingement part of the spur. He also does ADR but is waiting for the next prodisc c which I think he said is coming next year.

3. Dr. Regan (Los Angeles) recomends prodisc-C C34. My insurance, aetna covers alot of it. He claimed the above nerve disection could create neuromas. He also said I could be a candidate for cutting some of the bone away allowing the nerve to relax away from the spur(Foramintomy?)

I have another visit(dr. Delamater) next week.

I am 53 have DDD through out the neck and, like alot of us, nervous about this decision. Please help make up my mind and get my life back.

Good Healing to All!

THANKS for your opinion!

[Terry]

Mike:

None of us can make this decision for you. I would write a list of pros and cons for each option and see which one makes the most sense. It sounds like, no matter what, that surgery is the only option.

Which one, based on the research you've done so far, gives you the best outcome?

I chose ADR as I wanted to not have the possibility of adjacent segment disease. With four ruptured discs I could not afford any more. I liked the idea behind the range of motion available to me with ADR. I was 49 when I had my surgery done.

We will support you no matter what decision you make.

Terry Newton

[maz]

Hi Mike what a situation!! It must be hard after the PE to even consider surgery but sounds like you want your active life back! Your 3 options are too diverse for me to understand maybe you need another opinion as they dont agree. The bone spur could maybe be removed?.... and risk of growing back is what? as Terry said he got many years relief after removal, also Alasatir points out ADR may not be necessary. Its your call but I would be really confused if I had those 3 choices, all the best to your in your decison making Maz

[Mike L.]

Thank you all for filling in some of the voids of my understanding. Looks like I should look into hemi-laminectomy or endoscopic removal. More questions for the Neuro surgeons.

1. I was wondeing if ADR for C3-4 is common and if there is any historical evidence for single level there? I understand that it is the top segment allowed.

2. If I choose a formintomy bone removal procedure can they do ADR afterwards?

Maybe I should check in with the third and last neuro surgeon in my city. You guys are right seems like a wide range of treatments from the first 3. I am lucky, I live near LA, and I have Aetna insurance.

Next year there is talk of layoffs at my work. SO there is a minor concern there too if I have to go to COBRA layoff health insurance I wonder if Aetna or COBRA will cover ADR?

THANKS TO ALL! Your support is key.

Mike L.