ADR above cervical fusion?

[Berktown]

Hello,

I am new here. I am wondering if ADR above a cervical fusion is recommended or not. In spring 2008 I had cervical fusion with discectomy at C6-C7. A new MRI last week shows a large herniated disc at C5-C6 causing pain through the right shoulder, right index finger twitching, and general neck pain.

One surgeon has told me ADR above a fusion is not a patient option and recommended another fusion, or epidural treatment, or PT. I'd like to get some more info from other sources before I give up on getting ADR.

I did not see any cervical disqualification information in the sticky, so please, I welcome any responses about whether I can get an ADR above my fusion or if it is best avoided. Thank you.

[jss]

Berktown,

I hate that you have reason to be here, but welcome.

I know what you're asking, and I don't know the answer; but I can share my relevant experience.

I had cervical fusions at C4/5 and C5/6 in 2000 and 2002. In Nov 2009 I had M6 ADRs at C3/4 and C6/7. Since time I've been SCUBA diving in the Caribbean, run three half marathons, two full marathons, completed a 100 mile bicycle race, can swim a mile easily, and am currently training for the 2012 Cozumel IronMan. While I consider myself "symptom free", I do notice that I'll have spasms and moderate arm pain after a very strenuous activity.

Be aware that very few cervical ADR patients attempt my level of activity. I am only 17 months ADR post-surgery, so there is a lot of undiscovered territory in my future.

Good luck, Jeff

[CP7959]

I have ADR above fusion as well. Actually (3)Fused levels, with one working ADR. I say "working" because one of my ADR's has fused.

Thru my experience one question I would ask your surgoen. Regardless of your current fusion, is your condition such that there is a greater chance for an ADR to fuse over?

The reason I would ask is because my disc that fused over had plenty of spur formation prior to surgery. Five surgeons I had seen stated, "in their professional opinion, I would fuse over". Well they where correct with in 18 months I was fused. I had taken at least 600mgs. daily of Ibprofen, but that didn't help.

However on my disc that didn't fuse I had no signs of osteophytes. I had a central herniation. That ADR still looks good. The disk that fused over was a M6, my good one is a Prestige ST.


Jeff - question for you. You mention arm pain after strenuous activity. I am in the same boat. Can you tell me a little bit about your pain and does it follow a specific dermatone? Mine will act up if I swing my arm around alot, say like playing the drums where your arms are in a fast moving motion. I get kind of a buring nerve feeling at what seems to be C6/C7 dermatone. It settles with in a short time. I first noticed this after C5/C6 surgery in 2008. I had a fusion on C6/C7 in 2002 with never any issues. CT and Xrays still look good. My symptoms have settled done considerably, I will be one year from my last cervical surgery April 20th which was after my ADR removal to fusion. So I had a level that was "played around with" a lot.

[Berktown]

To Jeff: Thank you. You actually did partially answer my question in that you did have ADR above your fusion. That helps me to know that at least some surgeons do it and that it's not universally avoided. It's true that my current condition may still present unique issues, but it makes me want to explore my options more now.
I see that the surgery took place in Spain. And congratulations on your level of activity.

To CP: Thanks to you, that is an excellent question and one that I will pose. Being new to learning all the ins and outs, this is especially helpful. It appears from your signature you had one ADR in Germany and one in the US, is that right? Where in the US was your surgery? If you don't mind me asking.

[Harrison]

Berk, nice summary from the replies:

...You actually did partially answer my question in that you did have ADR above your fusion. That helps me to know that at least some surgeons do it and that it's not universally avoided. It's true that my current condition may still present unique issues, but it makes me want to explore my options more now...

Keep digging, reading, asking questions and consulting doctors. This community has been here since 2004 to support this collaborative learning process. Also, have you searched the community with the advanced search utility? Please do...

[jss]

CP,

This pain feels like it is deep in the triceps. It is a very dull ache that reminds me of how my forearm felt when it would keep me up at night before surgery; except the current pain is MUCH less intense. On the familiar 1-10 scale, it is a 1.

Yes, the pain is always in the same place. I don't know which level innervates the triceps musle; probably C5/C6/C7 from the cervical plexus?

Good luck, Jeff

[CP7959]

Berktown, I had (2) ADR's in Germany, C5/C6, C4/C5 (biggest mistake). C5/C6 was converted to fusion in Atlanta. C4/C5 fused over. I had my prestige ST at C3/C4 in Atlanta as well.

Jeff, I get the deep tricep discomfort as well when I overdue it. My feeling is because our necks have been reconstructed at several levels some nerves are easily irritated and as it passes thru all the neck muscles. Somewhat similar to a mild Thoracic outlet issue as it passes thru the scalenes. This is just a hunch. I'm hopimg with time it settles for good.