Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion - Procedure details, recovery, and expectations.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- **CLICK SHOW MORE FOR IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL DETAILS**
Hello friends, today I'm bringing you a video overview of the Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion. This is a surgery we perform to remove pressure off of your spinal cord and also to realign your bones. Frequently, patients who are undergoing this procedure are having trouble with balance issues and coordination but they could also have a failed prior neck surgery that needs to be revised. Learn more about it in the video above.
I'm a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon proudly serving the people of the Bradenton/Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch, FL area in a multi-specialty orthopedic group called 360 Orthopedics (www.360-orthopedics.com).
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:18 - Anatomy and Overview
09:03 - Surgical Procedure Steps
15:49 - Symptoms, Causes, Expected Recovery
22:11 - Conclusion
For A Consultation:
- Please call 360 Orthopedics at 941-360-2233 and ask for Dr. Armaghani
- Go to www.ArmaghaniSpine.com and click "Book An Appointment"
Office Locations - 360 Orthopedics
1. 5985 Silver Falls Run, Suite 101
Lakewood Ranch, FL, 34202
2. 2750 Bahia Vista St, Suite 100
Sarasota, FL, 34239
Other Related Videos:
Cervical Radiculopathy - • Cervical Radiculopathy...
Cervical Myelopathy - • Cervical Myelopathy - ...
Laminoplasty -
Websites:
www.ArmaghaniSpine.com
www.360-orthopedics.com/sheya...
Other Platforms:
Twitter: / armaghanispine
Facebook: / armaghanispine
The content on this TH-cam video and channel, including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, links, and other materials are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not constitute medical or other professional advice. Dr. Armaghani does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the website. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk. The information provided on all websites associated with Dr. Armaghani, including www.ArmaghaniSpine.com, is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between patient/site visitor and his/her physician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this TH-cam page or on www.ArmaghaniSpine.com. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Best education on the whole procedure I've seen. He's brutally honest and spot on with the time frames. THE go to video.
...6 months later, I have to remind myself, that I had that surgery ! I had x-rays, to check, that the "hardware" is in the right places !! ... YES !!! ...it is !!! ... I asked that question to "ArmaghaniSpine" -6weeks after- and he kindly responded, ...if you are not in pain, it should be alright !!! ...he was right !! Thank you again !!! ...still numb hands, but I know, it is a matter of time .... I can do everything, even playing guitar !!! ...rocknroll !!!
wonderful to hear!
@@ArmaghaniSpineMy ex abused me by pushing my head where are you located?
Hi was in lower back L5 S1
What surgery did you have?
Your explination and animation video is absolutely Top Of The Line. My surgeon has been painstakingly clear on this procedure that I have been avoiding but will finally be going through within a few days. We've reviewed X-rays and MRI films showing the spinal cord compression and the entire process that you show. Your presentation is clear and concise. I actually felt relief seeing Laminectomy animation in your video !
You're very welcome
Wow I am a smoker and my dr never mentioned that I should quit but truly appreciate watching your video and I’m booked for my surgery in one month from today and quitting smoking first thing in the morning ; wish me luck and I’m hoping for a speedy recovery.
Best of luck to you. I have 4 bulging discs that are compressing my spinal cord. I see my surgeon the 24th of this month to schedule surgery. I'm a nervous wreck about having spine surgery. May you have a successful surgery & speedy recovery!
@@brendajenkins2544 Hi. I might need the same surgery for my c4 and c5 how did it go for you? Thank you!
@@alexrivera4602 I am looking at the same surgery for C4 and C5 and am also nervous. I currently have few symptoms but my spinal cord is compressed. How did your surgery and recovery go?
I was just noticing your willingness to answer questions. You are my hero! Thank you for your kindness!!!
You are so welcome!
such an amazing teacher. Never had services from him but the confidence and competance is unparalleled
Your videos would be excellent pre-op tools for a Spine Camp! They are informative without being overwhelming. Thank you for presenting the information.
Thank you!
Your videos are great, they're very easy to follow along during surgeries, thus putting my patients at ease.
Thank you, Brian!
Awesome overview!!!! My mom just had surgery a few days ago and your explanation of everything she had done is amazing! Thank you :)
Excellent overview. Very informative. Your patients are very lucky to have you.
thank you so much
1.8 weeks post surgery (C3 to C6) and found your TH-cam channel today. A confidence builder for me. Off all narcotics after 8 days. Managing pain now with Tylenol..my only ongoing issue is getting comfortable sleeping with the hard collar. Walking has been difficult due an extremely painful reoccurring heel spur and plantar fasciitis. Working on that as pre open my posture, balance and gait had degraded so bad that walking even 50ft was almost impossible. My experience post on is each day is exponentially better than the previous day.
Thank you for such a precise and informative video of an ACDF surgery. Because of this video, I am far more confident about my upcoming procedure.
Good luck!
This was an excellent summation and animation of the procedure. Thank you for this explanation!
I found this very interesting. In 2019 I got a C-5, C-6 and C-7 laminectomy. Now almost 3 years later, my right hand has remained numb and my neck very sore. In 2010 I had an L-3 and L-4 laminectomy. That really helped me a lot. I could barely walked for 9 years and finally the specialist noticed the way that I walked. The morning that I had my operation did me so much good. I was able to walk without pain after so long. In 2000, they found out that I had Thoracic outlet Syndrome. In 2005, I had my left 1st rib removed. I felt so good. In 2006, I had my right rib removed. I could barely use my right hand. There was complication when the specialist cut my lung. It took me quite some time before I was ok. Like I said, after all that I went through my neck has been the worse and I can't seem to get better. Thank you so much for sharing your channel. It does really help me with what I'm going through. From Ontario, Canada
Glad the videos could be of some assistance to you. Good luck!
You are a WARRIOR.
Thank you for your clear and concise explanation of this procedure. My husband had this procedure after 2 failed anterior surgeries. Non- union and broken screws leading to chronic pain and inability to work such that we are now on SSDI.
Once we discovered that the 2nd anterior procedure failed he was only left with this option. His surgery was 1 week ago and the pain at the base of his head has been tremendous. They fused C2-T1. Not much is helping his high pain level.
Watching this video helps me to understand the trauma his body has undergone and accept that time is needed. This is a very invasive procedure (necessary, but traumatic to the body)
Thank you. Doctors like you are a blessing and treasure 🙏🙏❤️❤️
Thank you for the kind words, Samantha. Wishing your husband the best.
Best explanation I've found on you tube. Very informative. Thank you!
Thank you for the kind words!
God bless you and looking forward to my surgery!
BTW your videos helped me a great deal in my cervical fusion and now my recent L5/S1 surgery. I appreciate your time and thorough explanation. My surgeon is phenomenal but not great on communication. I like to have a thorough explanation along with expectations. I even watch surgeries online prior to having mine. I’m weird like that I guess. Thanks again.
Glad it could help!
@@ArmaghaniSpine thank you for responding to my inquiries
Thank you-What for a brilliant presentation - Victor South Africa . I'm going to see my surgeon soon & have a better understanding now.
Happy to have helped!
Thank you very informative ❤
This was just bloody brilliant! Please continue to make these! Never has my problem been explained so intricately!! Words I can understand! Just found your channel & have subbed for sure. I just genuinely can't thank you enough!
Thank you!
Very useful thankyou. I'm currently awaiting this surgery on my c5.
My symptoms are quite bad. Hands numb and tight. Constant cramp in my hands and some of my arm area. Hands constantly feel cold. Tightness in my knees. I'm hoping I'm in the third of people who gets symptom relief. Had this for 16 months now. I stumble a lot and have fallen a few times. Once braking my arm. Can't wait to feel good and normal again. I feel 20 years older since i had my spine injury. Good luck to everyone else going thru this 🙏 ❤
I am having this soon, and you really made me feel so much better and confident.
great info but the older you are the recovering well be harder
All of your videos are phenomenal sources of knowledge. Thank you for the time and effort you’re putting into these!
Glad you like them!
Great video thank you for the information
Always great explanation. Thanks
My pleasure!
Thank you for your time kind sir.
You are very welcome
Thanks for this video. It helped me to prepare for my surgery
Good luck!
Thank you for such a simplistic explination for the layman who have a limited understanding of the spinal anatomy. Your information delivery here is excellent. I have had a two level lumbar surgery in 2010. Unfortunatly I have had many complication with my spine since. I have been diagnosed with cervical stenosis and I was looking for info on this issue and came across your post. I have been walking with a cane since the surgery and my posture has changed dramatically. My my entire spine has been effected and I'm currently dealing with a diagnosis of cervical stanosis. I now need to begin the process of finding solutions for my spinal issues. Again, thank you so much. I feel much more informed and will use this as a reference through this process so I can understand and communicate with my Doctor on a more informed level.
I'm glad I could be of help, Big Dawg.
Awesome video, thanks
Glad you liked it!
Perfect explanation sir 👍
thanks so much!
EXELENTE TU PRESENTACION, MUY DINAMICA, MUY ILUSTRATIVA, MUY FACIL DE ENTER CON TU METODOLOGIA, FELICIDADES.
Thank you!
I am facing fusion surgery from C2 -C7. This was very easy to understand and addressed a lot of my questions about outcome and recovery time. Thank you.
@joannekozaroff7500 I may need this surgery too. Already have ACDF C4-C7. Did you have the surgery? Would you mind sharing how you're doing if you did? I hope all is well for you.
@@LisaK-lj3vt having surgery April 12th
@@joannekozaroff7500 I was just reading about it. I found a PubMed article, a Dr. Shroeder, was saying they found less complications if they fused down to the T1 because it stabilizes the neck from adjacent disc disease there. I'm wishing my ACDF went one level more to my T1 now, so I wouldn't possible be looking at PCDF. Just something I read.
I hope your surgery goes well. Sending you healing wishes.
Husband having c3-c6 cervical Laminectomy with fusion using his own bone. Is that possible??? No collar unless he needs it. 7/9/2024, no hardware !! ???
Dammn!.
You know how talented you are at teaching?.
You should become a Professor!.
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Thank you for this excellent video . Just what will cover the open spinal canal?
I’m having this done on June 1st and really appreciated all the details...thank you..👍🥴
You're most welcome, Barbara.
how did i go barbara?
@@immadkhalid1887 I am now 7 mos post opt and for the most part, much improved, still wearing my bone growth stimulator but unfortunately, my neurosurgeon has been expelled from my Health plan and was by court order not able to see me for my 6 month Follow up till today (a ($200 copay) so I’m anxious to see if fusion is working & have a knob on the back on my neck that I want him to identify. I have no pain, just getting use to stiffness but much more flexible and no more numbness….we’ll see how today goes…..
@@barbaraheller3461 so glad you are doing well my father needs this and we are so anxious so the recovery time is can be a long time? was it worth the surgery and how bad was the pain after wards i appreciate you replying thank you so much
I'm having this done on the 28th of May and I'm terrified
Very useful sir thank you
I want to thank you Dr. Armaghani, for this informative and well explained presentation. I also want to thank some of the commenter's views for sharing their experiences and anxieties regarding such procedures.
I had my first PCDF with my first neurosurgeon (C3-C6) in July 2020 in one city, which I couldn't fully recover from during the 4 weeks post-op, in the rehabilitation program there.
After being relocated to a different hospital and rehabilitation center in a different city because of Covid, and still not doing well in the new rehab centre, a new MRI was ordered by my new neurosurgeon. This revealed that I still had further problems, because the during the first surgery, they "missed a spot" or two, where there was still some impingement on the the cord and peripheral nerve bundles.
A second operation was performed in September 2020 at the new hospital and I was informed that they had to keep me anesthetized overnight to the next day to finish, because they didn't have the proper tools on hand for the instrumentation. This was a C2-T1 PCDF.
I recovered from rehab enough to be discharged to home in October last year.
I'm having another MRI this month for more apparent problems I'm facing now 10 months after my last operation to check for any misalignments, unbinding or shifting of the fusion. My neck & left shoulder is continually in great discomfort and periodically intensely painful. The left shoulder is swollen and bulging and sore all the time. I cannot stand for very long as I've lost my sense of balance and fear falling when standing or moving which has happened, but not very seriously so far.
I'm still prescribed 6mg hydromorphone (slow release) twice daily, baclofen 10mg 5x/day/night, pregabalin 4x/day/night, as well as hydromorphone 1mg (breakthrough) every 4 hours when needed. I want to get off the hydromorphone before any addiction problems present. Also included would by acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500mg on a regular basis.
I tried avoiding this surgery business for years with chiropractic, different levels of physiotherapy, medications and so on. Being hospitalized during Covid just compounded everything related to the issues surrounding health care with delays in admittance, diagnostics, staffing and procedures, isolation and quarantine, supply issues and being moved from room to room and to different hospitals, and different doctors and nursing.
I'm not looking forward to a third operation if this last MRI shows up that it's possibly required, and hoping that one of these days that they finally can get it right. 😕
good luck in your recovery!
I’ve had 4 back surgeries bc they kept failing. And unfortunately, with every surgery you have, the worse PERMANENT nerve damage and more will happen….
I didn’t have any nerve damage until I had my last surgery. And that has changed my life in a very negative way. I have to take 600mg of lyrica a day (that’s the max allowed), I had To have a spinal cord stimulator put in and a PAIN PUMP to manage my pain so that I could get OFF all my pain meds bc that crap was ruining my life.
So I truly wish you the best of luck! Nerve pain ain’t a joke. Praying for ya. Sending ya good vibes. Praying this is the LAST and FINAL surgery for you.
@@savgirl3413 Thank you. Modern medicine is not all that it's cracked up to be (pun intended)...all the best.
how's everything going on for you ? any update plz ?
Thank you for explaining the full surgery which I will be having on 3/31/22 in Atl. I'm more of visual even though my surgeon explained its better visually. I'm more at ease and feeling positive with the my outcome even with diabetes (use metformin/low reading).
Good luck!
how's everything going on for you ? any update plz ?
Thank you for this explenation
You're most welcome!
Thank you doctor excellent information my second surgery will be very soon the first one was in front ,this time it will be on the back of my neck . God bless you 🙏
How did your posterior surgery go? My husband had an anterior fusion 3 years ago and is now scheduled for a posterior procedure.
@@christynegerbasi4775 Hello I feel blessed with God and the doctor everything went wonderfully. I remember The next day my leg had a sensation of pain, that meant that my numbness was going away . But be honest the recovery was slow and painful. After a year and 3 months i just back to work last week im happy 🥴 I am talking about myself because not all bodies heal. In the same way, we hope you husband have a satisfactory surgery blessing .
The best video.
Very nice education. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
very good information
Thank you!
very nice information sir.
Thanks and welcome
Thank you for this video, I am having this type of procedure June 4th, I have a bunch of questions and watching this video, I can ask smart questions!
I am happy to be of help to you, Rich.
Hi @Rich Mel, I am having the same surgery July 25th of this year, and just wanted to know how your surgery went, and some healing process 😊
@@jenniferdonelson1374 Hi, well it's been a year for me and I am doing really well. I play golf, do yard work, anything I want to do...just like I used to. My neck tells me when to stop...I still have some numbness in my index finger and thumb,still better than it used to be. The surgery is tough...four days in the hospital, there were some hit and misses on my meds but I'm a guy, and guys are big babies. The most important step forward is rehab!! Please do it and follow through with it, it's what got me back on my feet. Good luck.
Good job doctor 👏
thanks so much!
I've had this done in SA 8 years ago. My question is what protects the spinal cord from a back strike! Kind of scarey
Very good question.
Thanks much for this wonderful video. The way you explained it, I'm able to understand the procedure. I need to have a laminectomy from C2, to T2. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and my spinal cord is being compress.
glad to help!
Excellent video! Thank you! What about the long term effects such as limited ROM?
Thank you for the informative video. I had a c3 - c6 posterior laminectomy without fusion 6 months ago. I experienced a giant pseudomenigocele which was left to resolve on its own. That was a 8 week journey with a mri with contrast to confirm it’s closure. My ongoing and most troubling concern to date is cervicogenic dizziness which was not present preop.
I’m attending physio with not much success and will be receiving trigger point injections to see if muscle tension is at play. Do you have any other suggestions I might consider if need be, such as RFA?
Thank you for your time Doctor
thank you for that video. I am out 7 weeks from surgery and one night in the hospital. I do have some aching in my neck but it's tolerable. I have, as the day progresses terrible pain in my hands and the crooks of my elbows. I also feel like I have something like palsy, which I never had before the operation.Sure do hope things get easier and less painful.
Hi, Tim. 7 weeks is still very early in your recovery. Continue to give yourself and your body time to heal the nerves that were compressed. Posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion surgery is one of the most painful operations for the patient to undergo. To have tolerable neck ache at 7 weeks is great result and should continue to improve.
@@ArmaghaniSpine thanx for the encouragement
@@ArmaghaniSpine so I have had 4 back surgeries. 2 microdiscectomy, 1 discectomy and a fusion all at L-4-S1…..
And I honestly think that that recovery was WORSE than my fusion at c4-c5……my relief, most of it, has been immediate. Once the anesthesia was gone, I could “feel”’things and just like my Dr said, it was pretty instant. I’ve had the nerve compressed for 2 years so obviously it’s gonna take a little bit longer to heal than some people who had the surgery pretty soon after the nerve became impinged. I am sooo grateful for my Dr and just thankful for the relief I’m already having!
@@savgirl3413 how are you doing now ?
Amazing video and explanation. I had a C5 C6 and C7 laminectomy and fusion 3.5 years ago. I am a healthy 54 year old and I worked out almost daily. After the surgery my surgeon advised me not to ever workout with weights again. I spoke to another surgeon who told me that it was fine to workout again after recovering, provided I was strict in the motion and not to consistently move my neck in an up and down position so as to not wear out the disc levels above and below my fusion. What is you take on it? And how long do all the components (rods, screws, fusion) last? Thank you in advance.
Ur great doctor.Explained minute details.Ur services required in India
Thank you!
great explaintion. I had 2. Going in for redo. I have a screw loose its a joke in my house now.
I’m currently fused (ACDF) from C5-C7/T1, and have now suffered damage to C4/5. Small paracentral disc protrusion and osteophyte complexes, along with infolding of the ligamentum flavum cause dynamic spinal stenosis. I also have myeomalacia of the cord at C5-C7.
My question is - would it be a good idea to have posterior laminectomy and rod fusion from C4/5-C7/T1? I’m afraid with the myeomalacia of the cord that I’m much more at risk of damaging my cord due to it “withering”
Wow brilliant
Thank you!
Amarghani spine
I’m from Sydney Australia would love to know if you may help me with my query as I may be facing this surgery in the coming weeks.
I have severe spondylosis that I have had 4 neck surgeries for already and unfortunately the last operation seems to have been a fail and I started to get terrible symptoms in the last 2 months and a mri which revealed a c7 7mm anterilothesis causing severe canal stenosis.
My question is am I looking at this kind of surgery for this injury? As I’m so scared I’ve had the posterior approach once before and I have to say I have never ever felt such pain like that in my life and I have had many surgeries but this was something else.
Would love if you can reply!
What protects the openings straight to the nerve root after the spinous process are removed ? Muscle and skin ? Are people that had this done on high risk of injury. Especially with the bone not there covering it anymore . ?
Thank you so much Dr Armaghani for clear and full describe of laminectomy cervical neck operation, ì had surgry on first of may 2024and i have problem with my right hand pain and numbness i was very wory but after watched your video i fell better, and in hospital didnt give me hard collar is make problem?🙏🙏💐
Awesome 👌
thank you!
Thank you for the video, Is there a minimum number of level that needs to be opened for the spinal cord to float into the newly created space? Without the Spinal process, would there be no protection of the spinal canal from the back of the neck?
Great video!. .i had C2 - T2 done 8 months ago, but have never gotten a clear expectation from my surgeon on time frames during rehab. This spells it out in everyday language and won't gross my wife out, LOL
Best of luck!
I am having the same surgery. Can you tell me how you feel after this time that has passed and your range of motion.
Very informative video from one of the best Dr . I just have a question , do you use the ultrasonic tools surgery ? Thx
I have used them in the past but did not see a big difference with traditional instruments
I'm looking at possibly having my C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7 and T-1 and T-2 fused like this. It scares me to think about. This video actually answered a lot of my questions. My last MRI showed bulging discs in C-4 thru C-6, and bone spurs on C-6, C-7 and T-1 and T-2. All of this is causing me severe problems with numbness, pain, severe distorting cramps in parts of my hand, loss of strength, uncontrollable shakes at times, and I'm down to all plastic dishes because I am tired of not being able to hold the dishes dependably. After that MRI showing all of that, I was rear ended when sitting still. I was hit at about 40-50 mph. Dr said I'm lucky not to be paralyzed due to the force of the impact and the compression already on my spinal cord. One question not answered in this video is what kind of protection the cord has after the fusion when you have removed the bones that protected it????? Can you help me understand what the limitations would be and the protection long term?? Thanks.
Thank You for a great video of helpful understanding for those of us without a medical degree. I am facing a C2-T3 Laminectomy and Fusion. I can't find much info on such a long multilevel fusion or how crossing the CT joint will effect my quality of life. Are there any groups - websites that might point me in the direction of more detailed info or potential emotional support. Thanks again!
Hi sarbrit. Unfortunately, I do not know off hand any emotional support groups for patients undergoing this procedure. One thing that may be a good idea would be to ask your surgeon if he knows of any patients who have had this procedure and would mind speaking to you about how their recovery went. Sometimes other patients are the best support because they have gone through the same procedure and have dealt with the ups and downs that are inevitable. Good luck to you.
Hello. My husband just had this procedure last week c2-t1. He is 1 week out and in incredible pain at the base of his skull.
I was wondering how your recovery is going and if anything seemed particularly helpful for the pain.
Thank You Dr. Armaghani, Your Educational Videos , for OUR Type Surgeries, Are ON Point And So Understanding, Im About to Undergo , The Anterior and Posterior Fusion , (2) Days Apart Would That Be Wise?
I had this surgery a month ago and I had nerve damage..I can not lift my right arms and I was so worried but now that I know that it can take a year to recover feel more confident
How are you doing now. My dad had this surgery and is having issues with his left arm. He is almost a month out of surgery.
I wish you do well. But it seems, you keep having problems. I will postpone this surgery as long as I can. So far I have only neck pain and headache at back of my head. I think I can live with that rather to take such risks like nerve damage.
My father has also such a problem . He can't lift his right hand. He done such surgery 10 days ago . What is Your condition Now???
I enjoyed how you explained the surgery, I had this done 7 years ago c3toc7 at first he was going to do c2tot1but was not as bad as he thought so he felt it would be better rom. I still Don't have real good rom but the surgery was a success because now they took mri my cord is fine no compression I still have degenerative disease DISH Etc .but the main reason was the cord . What I would say to other people if they really need this surgery not to let fear stop them thank you
Thank you for your words as a post-op patient, Mr. Wilson. This is a tough surgery to get over and is reserved for patients with severe, multilevel disease.
@@ArmaghaniSpine if I could help others thats what matters
I had a 5-level cervical laminectomy and fusion surgery (C2--C7) done on May 20, 2019, attempting to alleviate severe OPLL that affected the entire cervical spine, but especially C3-C4 and C6-C7. Unfortunately, I developed severe complications starting a month post-op, which worsened over time.
I was originally planning on returning to work about 3 months post-op, but by the end of month 2, it was obvious that I would be unable to do so. By February 2020, I was relegated to my house approximately 50-60% of the time, but I was still able to do most of the things I had done before.
However, by the end of that May, the pain, debilitation, lack of mobility, and radiating symptoms were so bad that I became bedridden 95% of the time. Bad weather makes my pain and debilitation levels worse, and the 4-month period from the beginning of December 2020 to the end of March 2021 was pretty much the worst period of my life, due to not having a period longer than 3 days without rain or thunderstorms.
Unfortunately, I can never work again. I had to apply for Social Security Disability in early January 2020, and after being denied (as 80% of all applicants are) at both the initial application phase and the appeals phase, I reached the third and final stage--Disability Court, and after having my hearing April 14, 2021, I just got approved by the judge on May 7, only 4 days ago.
Those having this surgery should be aware that no surgery is a guaranteed cure-all, and that is especially true of spinal surgeries. There are a lot of potential risks associated with the spine, because between the spinal cord itself and the hundreds of individual nerves spawning from it that control the vast majority of your body, there is ALWAYS the possibility that something could go wrong.
The other thing to know is that you could have the best surgeon with the most knowledge...and your surgery could go flawlessly...and you can even come out the other side feeling better than you have in a long time...and complications can STILL happen. I know, because that's what happened to me.
I had a perfect surgery. For the first month afterwards, I felt like a million bucks. I was recovering faster than expected, and the belief at the time was that I might be able to return to work 2-3 weeks earlier than originally planned. But on June 22nd, a month almost to the day after my surgery, the complications began to set in. First, my pain started increasing with no obvious signs or reasoning behind it. My left arm, which was--by far--the most affected area other than the cervical spine itself, became more painful and debilitated than before the surgery.
I went from taking 80mg of Oxycodone during the 3-4 days after surgery to 30mg 10 days post-op, but after June 22, it didn't take long to reverse that trend, to the point where I was at 60mg, then 70mg, and finally 80mg again.
I have lost the ability to do most of the normal, everyday things I used to do with ease prior to the onset of my condition. My motor functions are limited--I cannot stand or walk without a 4-point safety cane. I have significant gait issues, balance problems, migraines, and inability to lift more than 8-10 lbs due to my left arm debilitation.
My pain level before surgery was 6-7 consistently, with spikes to 10 on occasion. Immediately post-op, that dropped to 2 or 3, with no spikes. But once the complications began, I was regularly at 8 or 9, even 10....especially when storms came through. In fact, storms led to pain that affected my entire upper body, and still do. Along with the pain, debilitation and loss of functionality, I have several severe mental and psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks and suicidality.
I am waiting for the Medicare I receive automatically along with my SSDI to start on August 1st, so I can finally--hopefully--find out exactly why I'm having these complications, and maybe figure out some type of treatment plan for them. I couldn't afford to before this, so I had to suffer while not knowing why.
But what happened to me, while rather extreme, CAN HAPPEN. Or other lesser complications can happen. Or in rare cases, WORSE ones, like paralysis, infection or death. There are a lot of reasons why spinal surgery should be a last resort, only used in cases where no other medications, treatments, injections or therapies have worked. There are risks associated with EVERY surgery, but some--such as spinal surgeries--have more than others.
I was told I have the same issue c2 to c7 opll is being recommended for surgery. I have no other symptoms right now other than muscle pain on my shoulders
@@rubyfenn1730 If you can get that taken care of before it gets to the same point mine did, you stand a lot better chance of recovery. Unfortunately, I had to wait 2 1/2 years to get my surgery done, during which time the company I used to work for did more damage, to where it went from a single-layer C6-C7 disc replacement surgery to a five level laminectomy and fusion.
I was also unlucky because I developed complications afterwards, though my doctors still don't know exactly what happened, or why.
But the sooner you get that fixed, the less likely you are to end up like me. And trust me, that's a good thing.
I am sorry to hear about your outcome, DukeFan. Spine surgery is incredibly difficult to predict because of many of the points that you have mentioned. Posterior cervical laminectomy and fusions tend to carry these risks to a higher degree than other surgery and are really only performed or suggested because of conditions like OPLL that make it too dangerous to approach from an anterior approach.
OPLL is a very difficult and hard to treat condition to have because progression has a high likelihood of occurring. It is like being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
I wish you the best of luck
@@ArmaghaniSpine Absolutely. At one point in early 2018, my surgeon had planned on a C6-C7 artificial disc replacement. However, because of the company I was working for at the time, they intentionally made my condition worse, and refused to listen to multiple doctors and ortho specialists who all told them I needed to be put into a different area.
And because of that, by the time my doctor had done not one but THREE sets of medical disability paperwork, and they finally let me out after 2 1/2 years of repeatedly forcing me to go back, the damage was already done. And instead of severe C6-C7 damage and minor C3-C4 damage, I had severe damage throughout my entire cervical spine, requiring this surgery.
And I think the hardest part is knowing that what happened to me was done deliberately, and that without that intentional harm being done, the surgery would never have been necessary, and therefore the complications never would have happened. But because that entire chain of events DID happen, now I am permanently disabled, unable to work for the rest of my life before I turn 50, and will be completely dependent on Social Security Disability for income.
And the worst part? Because the damage happened over a 2 1/2 year period, I cannot legally prove that they did all the damage (I've talked to 3 lawyers and 2 doctors who testify in these types of lawsuits regularly...and all told me the same thing), so I can't even sue them for what they did...and they get to get away with it. Talk about no justice at all...
@@DukeFan1971 I can never understand the American health insurance where the employer has all the say, Here in Australia we have Medicare, payed by every working Australian, with a small percentage taken out of their income every year at tax time. Then on top of that you can take out private health insurance, at different tears, bronce, silver and gold, you pay for this yourself out of your own pocket, gold covers with Medicare you can have whatever spinal operation you want, and has nothing to do with anyone else
I have OPLL and I have to have 7 sectors of my neck fused I'm trying to find information on if having fusion is a good idea For if it will affect my ability to move my head Or body, my neck is already fused From classification I have to make a decision And I don't know the right one
Thankyou for an excellent educational video on this procedure!
And including the risks involved with commonly asked questions outlined and explained👌
My dad just had this done and I felt so in the dark until I found this video. Many thanks and blessings
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this excellent video. I am 4 weeks post posterior fusion of C2-T2. This is my 5th back fusion. I know my recovery will take a while.
Best of luck! That is a tough surgery to recovery from. Hang in there!
5 times fusion surgery done ahh
Im tetraplegic c3/c4 injury but not completed, it possible to fix it as it can to be better with my functional?
I’ve been having really bad pain in both my shoulder blades. Mostly the left. The whole left side of my torso goes numb as well. I’m having a C4-C7 Laminectomy & Foraminotomies on the 12th. Do you think that’s going to make my problems better? I have some impingements in C6. My MRI shows compression on my spinal cord from C4-C7 as well. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
thank you so much for complete details im about to go through this process in may.. I do have question tho. if bones are removed from back of neck is the spinal cord in danger if hit in back necl?
Great question and a very common question. There is about 4-5 cm of muscle and other soft tissue that covers and protects the spine which is plenty of protection. I have not seen a direct impact injury in a patient following this surgery causing a problem.
Awesome video, just have one question. Does activity in both arms mean more than one disc/bone spur?
Not necessarily. Bone spurs can sometimes be both sides in 1 disc causing pain in both arms or on different sides in 2 discs causing discomfort in both arms.
I'm getting this done on the 21st as well as an ACDF. You've alleviated my anxiety enormously. I'm freaking out less. TRULY GRATEFUL. Will I attract lightening? I'm an all weather walker.
You are most welcome. I'm happy these videos have helped you. And luckily almost all the rods and screws on the market today are made of titanium and will not attract lightning!
how's everything going on for you ? any update plz ?
@@mokabokal101 Most people who had surgery do not answer. I am afraid most of them still having problems even after surgery. I see quiet few positive comments about after surgery.
@@viyanayerat's also yt. I don't get most of my replies.
@@themysticmuse well this one I got.
does the spinal canal stay open from the posterior after this surgery? No structural bone/hardware to protect the spinal canal, where the lamina used to be?
This was a blessing watching this video. I'm scheduled for this procedure in 9/7/22 and am so afraid. Great video 😊
Thanks Paul
Best of luck, Paul!
How are you doing Paul ? My mother is going to have the same surgery this week.
@@martinadoley2764 , Martina, I'm doing well. I have not had the surgery yet. I'm looking at other options. I just exercise more and eat healthily as possible. I pray and hope your mother is doing ok.
Dr. Armaghani's videos are very educational, however only addresses 1 disc replacement or 1 fusion. What procedure do you recommend for one who is 70 years old, has osteoporosis, degeneration and mild to severe spondylosis at multiple disc locations C3/4-C6/7?
I haven’t this down 4years ago without the fusion all the time I have a headache and pain in the neck and of balance
Could you help me?
To fix the problem
Hello, I am looking at having this surgery for C4-C7, and have a question. What protects the spinal cord from being damaged once the lamina/spinous process is removed?
About 4-5cm of muscle and soft tissue that is repaired after the surgery is completed.
Doctor what do you think about the Mobi-C disk replacement?
Do you do this procedure?
Cervical disk replacements are my most favorite surgery to do. Not everyone is a candidate unfortunately.
After you have performed the laminectomy and put in the scres/rods/plate, what happens?
What covers and protects the spinal chord?
T%hank you.
About 4-5 cms of muscle, soft tissue, and skin. It is actually fairly deep in the neck.
Sir my father have c3-c4 mylomalacic change which surgery should be done
im on my 4th week after c3-c6 decompression and fusion with rods on both sides and im still in pain, my doctor not once ever gave a collar of any type and sent me home with 1 week of pain meds. dont see how tylenol will help with this kind of pain im still having, but not much of a choice since they have cracked down on pain meds in west virginia, how long does the pain usually last ??
Sir i had numbness on the half left upper part on heat after this surgury what should I do
Thanks for your clear explanation. I have a question.
After being fused like that, how and how much is the mobility of the neck affected ?
Great question. It depends on how high the fusion goes. If the fusion goes up to the C2 level you probably are going to lose a minimum of 50% of your motion up and down and side to side.
There is nothing though protecting the spinal cord after the laminectomy?
Excellent teaching. I know doctors don’t have time for this much detail during appointments. This is a perfect answer to that problem.
I may be having a posterior fusión after two artificial discs being placed at C5/6 and C6/7. My bone spurs are in the facet area. I waited too long for my first surgery and have permanent muscle loss in my dominant arm.
i love doing artificial disks but one of the downsides is that because there is still motion, bone spurs can still form. good luck!
Hi Doctor my mom just got one in her cervical spine c2-c4 but she didn’t get fusion. Do you think the spine can be stable without one or is a fusion something you recommend ??
Dr Although I have been fused almost my entire thoracic and lumbar I am so scared of all the neck surgeries I have a c5 c6 herniation, I am wondering if ADR is safe because
it can cause speech or vagus and phrenic nerve damage
Very in formative. With those rods, am I able to bend my neck at all?
Just went through a 360 multi level fusion with discectomy, posterior was much more difficult to recover from and the pain was much worse.
What is the percentage of infections that occur with posterior than anterior surgery?
I suffered from an abscess after surgery and wound up having to get a dibredment and vacuum so in essence it took me longer to recover and unfortunately my hand and thumb issue I have bilaterally did not improve.
Sorry to hear. Posterior cervical fusions can have up to a 10% infection risk depending on the patient. They also tend to be the most painful of all spine surgeries because of the muscles that need to be split and retracted to access the spine. It is generally reserved for the most severe of cases and not many surgeons choose to do a posterior based operation over an anterior based operation unless they have to. Infection from anterior surgery is almost unheard of but it can't be used in every case and has some different risks than a posterior surgery does. Good luck.
I got a spine infection/abscess with serious cord compression while living in Florida for an extremely short period from scratching 21 bug bites and getting lymphangitis that sarasota memorial er missed 2 x. I went back in an ambulance septic. The details are quite involved. But the incompetent “surgeon” who wound up helping me emergently after I essentially lost my motor skills did a brilliant acdf with partial corpectomy and fusion c3-4. He then came in the next morning and bullied me while still essentially drugged into a posterior laminectomy fusion c3-5 saying I’d be a quadriplegic if I didn’t get it. The whole thing has been a nightmare. Why any qualified surgeon would ever circumferentially fuse someone unless they basically had no other option and in my case it wasn’t even necessary apparently is beyond me and they should not be allowed to operate thereafter.
Hi, I am currently fused on the front side from C4-C6. I am having this surgery in a couple of weeks and he is going to fuse C5-T1 how will this effect my mobility in my neck area? will it be pretty stiff from here on out? as in, will I have to pretty much turn my shoulders to look left or right up or down?
You'll still have a fair bit of motion left over because you will still be able to move at C3/4 and C2/3 as well as C1/2. I would say you'd have at least 50% of your motion looking up and down and side to side. Where you may notice some stiffness is if you try to touch your ear to your shoulder like you are talking on the phone with no hands.
Excellent presentation.
After his posterior lamenectomy and fusion my dad (80 years old and surgery on 5/11/22) developed what they are calling C5 palsy. He has almost no movement in his left arm and very little strength in the other. His fingers are also numb left and right.
1. Would you recommend a CT scan to make sure everything is in the correct place? (Left arm went totally lump about 3 days after surgery. Fingers were tingling them went numb after 3 days)
2 is there anywhere you can point me for specific PT exercises I can point out to his PT person? I’m seeing that in sub acute care the PTs aren’t as versed in this type of PT as they are with knee or hip replacements.
Thank you!
Sorry to hear. About 8-10% of people get a C5 palsy after posterior cervical fusion. The good news is that, in general, patients will improve over time, many within the first 3 months but most will have close to normal function at 1 year. There may be slight weakness at the 1 year mark but almost all will improve over time. He's on the elderly side so he may take a bit longer. CT scan is usually the first thing i order to ensure that the screws aren't malpositioned which can cause nerve injury. if the screws are ok then it's a C5 palsy and he just needs time for his nerve to heal which can take a while. No specific PT exercises. Good luck!
Thank you very much for sharing this excellent video! It's very clear and helpful.
I have 2 quetions:
1. you menioned the patients can walk for as long as they want, should this be 6 weeks after surgery? Or should this be when patient is out of the hosptial , shortly after the surgery?
2. My Dad had this surgery two weeks ago, his walking problem (poor leg/body coordination, sense of powerlessness, etc) seems evern worse than it was before the surgey. But the doctor told him it's ok and normal, because it will take time for the nerve to recover and heal, usually it will be one year, or one and half years for the nerve to reach its optimal functioning. Is this true?
Thanks again!
Hi, Zheng. Thank you for the questions and watching.
1. I like my patients to walk shortly after surgery and to walk as much as they feel comfortable. They don't have to push it so listen to your body if it is telling you that you may be over doing it but more gentle, low activity is encouraged.
2. In general, your surgeon is correct. If he needed this surgery he likely had severe spinal cord compression and spinal cord damage. The spinal cord does take a very long time to recover. It will be an up and down recovery especially early on but how he feels at around 1 year will be about how he will be long term. Hang in there!
How is your Dad doing after 2yrs now..my mom is going have this procedure within this week 🙁
My incision is huge. I’m still recovering and it was done in may, it’s now January. I fell four times in the hospital after surgery. I couldn’t move my toes when I had the surgery. I was exposed to COVID immediately after surgery. Nothing that would’ve normally been done was done because I was isolated. The incision goes from the base of my skull to between my shoulders. I have other areas that need surgery. I’m getting depressed from all of this. Most days I cannot walk. I waited six months after the referral. In that time it worsened rapidly. I was ordered to go through emergency because as mentioned my toes couldn’t wiggle. I was so independent and I can’t hardheaded being like this. I’m still having bladder issues as well. I’m only 44. I have super bad balance. My hands have difficulty.
I am sorry to hear your having such difficulties! Life throws us a fist full of curve balls sometimes (when we weren’t even playing baseball!) as a fellow sufferer, all’s I can tell you, is grab a hold of Gods hand and hang on for the ride! Write down all of the things in life that you are thankful for and remind yourself each day of those blessings! Do what the doctors tell you, and keep on moving down the road of life! It may not be pretty all the time, but it is the only one we get! Good luck, I know it’s not easy! May God Bless you is my prayer!
Thanks for the information, I am going through the same issues as you did as far as the waiting, it has been since last November 2021 and I am just having it done this July 2022. How are you doing if I may ask
@@jenniferdonelson1374 how's everything going on for you ? any update plz ?
I pray that you have healed as this is such an ordeal and difficult situation to go through. My husband may face the same procedure
I’m facing this soon, my surgeon said he’s going in from the front , I don’t understand how that can be done.
Thank you for describing the procedure In detail, as I now understand it so much better. I will be having a Laminectomy done on my cervical spine next month. My spine on 4 levels is compressed to the point that I am suffering severe pain going down my left arm and I am starting to have a balance problem from time to time. My surgeon now recommends a Laminectomy to decompress my cervical spine so hopefully I can be pain free again.
Good luck!