4 Levels Fused and New CT Findings

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yakkwak

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Hello,
I continue to suffer pain after two fusions (C4-5, C5-6, & C6-7), and then another ten months ago (C3-4). I have an appointment in a couple of days with another surgeon than the one who did this work to discuss a new CT. What should I be asking this new spinal specialist? I am developing trust issues since it seems that two levels did not incorporate (C3-4, and C6-7). Also, i have slightly slipped forward verbebrae now (C2-3, and C7-T1) which have happened since the fusions. I also have a lot of osteophyte spurring flattening the thecal sac without causing spinal stenosis, and one at L5-T1 that abuts the S1 nerve. Would the latter cause intermittent tingling and nurabness of the legs? I am more afraid than I've ever been since I have a pacemaker and probably won't be eligible for that electrical stimulation for the un-fused levels. Anyone have any thoughts, please????? Thank you in advance.
 
Hi and welcome to the back board! I'm sorry you're still having problems after all your surgeries. I hope someone here can give you some input, but you're really more likely to find help on the spinal cord section of healtrabroadoarRAB. I don't know why, since the cervical spine is part of the back, but most of the people with issues in that area end up on the other board. Most of us here have mid to lower back issues.

I think the first question I would want to ask the new doctor is whether the CT showed that you're fully fused. And I would avoid mentioning anything the previous surgeon said unless he specifically asks. Doctors are very careful not to step on each other's toes, so you don't want to create a sticky situation for him. No matter how you feel about the first doctor, don't bad mouth him in any way. If you need to say something negative about your condition, keep it factual and about YOU, not the doctor. That is, "I still have a great deal of pain and I wonder if something's gone wrong since my last surgery." Not, "I still have a lot of pain and I wonder if Dr. _____ did something wrong." You get the idea.

I think the other question I'd have would be whether he can tell what level is causing the pain. Is it coming from the levels you already had work on, or is this a new problem, which perhaps he would be able to tell with some testing.

I hope you get the help you need. Chronic pain sucks, pardon my language. :(

Blessings,
Emily
 
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