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fusion c4 joint Options
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judedog
#1 Posted : Thursday, November 21, 2013 8:30:00 PM Quote
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I am going to see a neurosurgeon re c4 fusion next week. has any had the same problem as me. \I have had r a for over 25 years now so I expect I have been lucky. Ra has made the osteo arthritis worse in the top of my spine.
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Paul Barrett
#2 Posted : Friday, November 22, 2013 10:13:20 AM Quote
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I have had C5-6 and C6-7 fused. What do you want to know?
Paul Barrett

Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)

Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
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annamaria
#3 Posted : Friday, November 22, 2013 10:22:39 AM Quote
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Hi Judedog

I have had C1/C2 fused (1997), C3/4 (2005) and C7/8/T1 (2012), C5/6 fused themselves! All due to RA which I've had for 41 years.

Happy to answer any queries you may have about surgery, with the understanding that we are all different. I am glad I had the surgeries, though not a lot of choice in the matter.

Different neurosurgeons have different approaches too.

Lots of luck,
Liz
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judedog
#4 Posted : Wednesday, December 11, 2013 5:35:31 PM Quote
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I really wanted to know what the recovery time is and how it went after surgery. Joints 5/6 and 2 more lower down have fused themselves. I am now going in for surgery to fuse 3/4
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Paul Barrett
#5 Posted : Wednesday, December 11, 2013 10:25:14 PM Quote
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judedog wrote:
I really wanted to know what the recovery time is and how it went after surgery.


Well for me it was an instant success. Protecting the wound took some care, made worse for us blokes by beard hair growing through UNDER the dressings and staples. But now my incision site is pretty much invisible unless pointed out. But the fusion itself was a success from day 1. I hope it is for you too, but we all vary.
Paul Barrett

Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)

Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
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annamaria
#6 Posted : Thursday, December 12, 2013 6:18:00 PM Quote
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Hi Judedog

After my C3/4 fusion (it was done through the front of my neck with plates and also through the back with rods and screws + bone graft from hip, so v long surgery) I was home in 3 days. As Paul says it's important to keep the wound clean but I healed very well (no beard!).

My current neurosurgeon doesn' t like collars, but for C1/2 with less metalwork I had to wear rigid collar for 6 months. I think it was because this level is different and it WAS 16 years ago - things change!

Recovery was quite quick. It's important to mobilise asap. My RA took a knock, but it wasn't so well-controlled back then and I had to stop the biologic injections just before and after the op.

Lots of luck for your op - do you have a date?

Take care,
Liz
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judedog
#7 Posted : Thursday, December 12, 2013 7:49:50 PM Quote
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No I don't have a date yet. Thank you for your replies. It is reassuring to talk to someone who has been through the op etc. The surgeon is going through the front of my neck and inserting a cage and plate at the front. I will post again when I have a date for surgery. Thanks one again
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Paul Barrett
#8 Posted : Thursday, December 12, 2013 9:34:44 PM Quote
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Oh, I forgot, you may also feel a little hoarse for a few days as they have to move things out of the way a bit to get at the op site.
Paul Barrett

Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)

Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
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