Quote:
Originally Posted by Masymas
Hello ADR community and thank you for being there! I especially want to thank the facilitators of this tremendously informative site.
I have been approved for single level acdf fusion at C5/6 due to osteophyte encroachment on right foramen. I also have osteophyte at C 6/7 but not as big.
Anyone out there with experience with cervical osteophytes and M6? Did they grow back? How bad is pain when osteophytes are removed? Is there a surgeon who is especially good with this condition?
Thanks for your response-
Leslie
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Leslie,
I had significant osteophytes that I was told were close to being an "autofusion" of C6/7. If I recall correctly they were not going to be touched because of their size if I went with a fusion here in the states. Dr. Bierstedt had no reservations about removing them when he installed the M6's. My surgery was so recent that I can't comment on regrowth however, as Dr. B went over my post surgical X-rays, he pointed out the excellent fit between the M6 plates and my vertebrae and said this along with good range of motion would likely prevent any regrowth. (Fortunately I have very strong bones - and even some extras here and there...) As for pain I can't suggest that my neck ever hurt but my shoulders sure did. I think I am 7 weeks post-op and I have no pain at all anymore. Good luck.