Hi Emily:
It sounds like you are having some extensive spinal problems and that you have significant central stenosis and impingement of the cord in the cervical area. The question for your surgeon would be if he thinks he can fully or significantly decompress the nerves.
I had c5/6 ADR performed just about a year ago in LA. I stayed in LA 6 days post-surgery for my post-op appointment and then flew back to Arizona.
Two major differences from your situation: only one level and only a one-hour flight. I was wearing my soft collar and did not have any significant problems. My advice would be not to be embarrassed about lying down across several chairs in the terminals, if you need to.
Please feel free to ask questions as they arise!
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2001 MVA; C5-C6 disk extruded
ongoing physical therapy, exercise and massage
ESI's, oral prednisone, trigger point injections
foraminal and central stenosis C5/C6 and c6/C7
2007 EMG/nerve conduction shows pattern of chronic radiculopathy
January, 2008: Prestige ST Artificial Disk Replacement, C5/6
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