#1 ·
Moderators, I’d ask that you please don't merge this with the existing thread. This is strictly about surgery, not general neck issues. Besides, I need answers quickly since my surgery is scheduled for May 9th. Thanks in advance. 🙂
With a community this size, surely someone here has gone through cervical spine surgery for a disc removal. I would really appreciate hearing about your experiences, recommendations, or just any thoughts you might have...
I’m scheduled for surgery at Mayo Clinic on 5/9.
It all started with a car accident last March—I was sitting at a red light when someone slammed into me from behind. Everything was checked immediately, including an MRI, which showed disc protrusions at C4-C5 and C5-C6, narrowing the right lateral recess and the neural foramen. Then came a round of physical therapy: five sets of ten sessions involving exercises, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound. I kept up with the daily exercises too (while walking my dog). Aside from some occasional neck pain, things were fine.
But four weeks ago, after being absolutely leveled by the flu followed by a week of savage bronchitis, my right shoulder started hurting. First a little, then with a ferocity I’ve never felt in my 47 years. For days, I was popping Advil granules and taking Zaldiar in the evenings; during the night, it was emergency injections (Tramal, Ketoral... whoever they could find to make a decision)... and that went on for three weeks. Now, I can only move my right arm from the elbow down. My shoulder area is completely paralyzed.
At first, they suspected calcification, but an X-ray ruled that out.
Then they thought a tendon had snapped—ultrasound cleared that up.
A neurology consult and an EMG showed minimal motor function in my right arm, specifically a lesion of the right axillary nerve—significant loss of motor neurons in the right deltoid.
Then came the MRI, which showed a dorsal bulge at C3-C4, a wide-based protrusion at C4-C5 with extruded disc tissue in the spinal canal compressing the anterior CSF space and the right C5 nerve root. At C5-C6, there's also a dorsolateral right-sided protrusion compressing the right C6 nerve root. I was referred urgently to a neurosurgeon.
The neurosurgeon put me in for emergency surgery, via an anterior approach.
My date is May 9th.
I know I need this surgery, but I am scared. F E A R is an understatement.
I'm not afraid of the pain; if I can survive this, I can handle anything else. I haven't been able to lie down for three weeks; I sleep sitting up, waking up drenched in a sticky, foul sweat from the agony. It can only get better.
But I'm terrified that something will go wrong. I'm terrified of being helpless. I'm terrified of a long recovery.
Please, share your experiences.
How long does the surgery take? What is the waking process like? The pain levels...
Can I get up right away, or am I stuck in bed the whole time? When do I get discharged? What does the regimen look like at home before I head to a rehab center? And regarding rehab—do I have to advocate for myself to get certain treatments, or does it just happen?
When will I be back on my feet and back at work?
I know this is a novel, but please, I need patience and encouragement. Also, warnings if there's anything specific I should watch out for. Any advice... anything is welcome.
Paralyzed by fear, Dea
With a community this size, surely someone here has gone through cervical spine surgery for a disc removal. I would really appreciate hearing about your experiences, recommendations, or just any thoughts you might have...
I’m scheduled for surgery at Mayo Clinic on 5/9.
It all started with a car accident last March—I was sitting at a red light when someone slammed into me from behind. Everything was checked immediately, including an MRI, which showed disc protrusions at C4-C5 and C5-C6, narrowing the right lateral recess and the neural foramen. Then came a round of physical therapy: five sets of ten sessions involving exercises, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound. I kept up with the daily exercises too (while walking my dog). Aside from some occasional neck pain, things were fine.
But four weeks ago, after being absolutely leveled by the flu followed by a week of savage bronchitis, my right shoulder started hurting. First a little, then with a ferocity I’ve never felt in my 47 years. For days, I was popping Advil granules and taking Zaldiar in the evenings; during the night, it was emergency injections (Tramal, Ketoral... whoever they could find to make a decision)... and that went on for three weeks. Now, I can only move my right arm from the elbow down. My shoulder area is completely paralyzed.
At first, they suspected calcification, but an X-ray ruled that out.
Then they thought a tendon had snapped—ultrasound cleared that up.
A neurology consult and an EMG showed minimal motor function in my right arm, specifically a lesion of the right axillary nerve—significant loss of motor neurons in the right deltoid.
Then came the MRI, which showed a dorsal bulge at C3-C4, a wide-based protrusion at C4-C5 with extruded disc tissue in the spinal canal compressing the anterior CSF space and the right C5 nerve root. At C5-C6, there's also a dorsolateral right-sided protrusion compressing the right C6 nerve root. I was referred urgently to a neurosurgeon.
The neurosurgeon put me in for emergency surgery, via an anterior approach.
My date is May 9th.
I know I need this surgery, but I am scared. F E A R is an understatement.
I'm not afraid of the pain; if I can survive this, I can handle anything else. I haven't been able to lie down for three weeks; I sleep sitting up, waking up drenched in a sticky, foul sweat from the agony. It can only get better.
But I'm terrified that something will go wrong. I'm terrified of being helpless. I'm terrified of a long recovery.
Please, share your experiences.
How long does the surgery take? What is the waking process like? The pain levels...
Can I get up right away, or am I stuck in bed the whole time? When do I get discharged? What does the regimen look like at home before I head to a rehab center? And regarding rehab—do I have to advocate for myself to get certain treatments, or does it just happen?
When will I be back on my feet and back at work?
I know this is a novel, but please, I need patience and encouragement. Also, warnings if there's anything specific I should watch out for. Any advice... anything is welcome.
Paralyzed by fear, Dea