Neck surgery - anybody else on here?

[Puds]

I’ve been suffering with a slipped disc in my neck for the last 3 years (C7 vertebrae), and my consultant has put forward the opportunity to have surgery to remove the dodgy one & fuse the remaining vertebrae if I want it.
I’m aware of the risks both during the surgery and when in recovery, but was wondering if anybody on here has had it done and how it impacted upon their stalking & shooting activities afterwards?

 

[Fosbery Holster]

Many years ago l had surgery on ruptured a disc in my neck area that was causing constant pain and muscular degeneration in my right arm, immediately after surgery no pain and within a couple of weeks muscles back to normal.
Definitely for me the only option and have had no problems since.

 

[Puds]

Many years ago l had surgery on ruptured a disc in my neck area that was causing constant pain and muscular degeneration in my right arm, immediately after surgery no pain and within a couple of weeks muscles back to normal.
Definitely for me the only option and have had no problems since.

It’s the constant pain in my right elbow/arm that is really getting to me & making me think the surgery is worth it. I hate taking so many tablets each day just to try & keep a lid on it.

 

[MAH]

My good lady had two discs replaced in her neck. As you say the fine print is scarry. Her's was very successful. She doesn't shoot, but we've been skiing since.
M

 

[Fosbery Holster]

It’s the constant pain in my right elbow/arm that is really getting to me & making me think the surgery is worth it. I hate taking so many tablets each day just to try & keep a lid on it.

I was exactly the same constant throbbing pain as well as muscle degeneration, on my doctor’s recommendation l was admitted to hospital for immediate surgery, admittedly l was very nervous about the surgery but for me the alternative wasn’t recommended, the relief after surgery was incredible no pain whatsoever none even from the operation.
Admittedly my operation wasn’t the removal of the complete disc.

 

[TringSaint]

It’s the constant pain in my right elbow/arm that is really getting to me & making me think the surgery is worth it. I hate taking so many tablets each day just to try & keep a lid on it.

My wife has this issue. She has just had her second MRI and is seeing her consultant on Saturday which will hopefully result in surgery.

Hers is C4/5 and has been affecting her left arm strength and also tingling and numb sensations in her fingers / thumb. It’s also now moving into her right arm.

Symptoms seem to change on a weekly basis so the ‘kink’ is clearly getting worse / swelling around the vertebrae/ bone spurs growing more and this is making hers more of a when than an if.

Google ACDF surgery and you will get an idea of what it’s all about.

 

[Rookandrabbit]

Hello @Puds ,I have also had spinal surgery in my neck when discs stuck into my spinal cord. Needed a discectomy vertebrae fused and a titanium cage fitted With carbon fibre spacers. This was also C4/5/6. Surgery was my only option . Apparently my neck was a bit of a mess due to previous injuries.

The immense pain relief after the operation was amazing however I am unfortunately left with residual pain because of the pre operative nerve damage but it’s nowhere near to what the pain was.

I also have muscle wastage numbness in my left arm and hand. Neck movement is restricted and I discovered on shooting prone on my DSC1, I have problems! Normally shoot bench rest.

I hope all goes well I know these operations are very scary to go through……. HOWEVER ……this type of operation seems to be more routine these days.

Good luck and best wishes Rookandrabbit.

 

[Hornet 6]

So good I had two goes at it.
First C5 fused to C6, I now have less movement, I still have the pins and needles they were trying to fix, 4 years later at a different hospital with a different surgeon
I was told I needed more surgery, so lots of X rays and scans, first thing they found was my C5/C6 fusion was actually C6 to C7, I now needed C4 to C5, that was done, less movement again and now years later I still have pins needles in both hands. Now I just deal with the pins needles, the NHS do not always get it right, even when they do it twice (or more).
I do wish I had never had it done, it has and does prevent me doing many things, mainly through a lack of movement along with stiffness and pain at the limits of movement.
It's also a big part of why I stopped shooting, I shot like it for a few years, but it just makes everything so much more difficult. The movement you lose will not come back, those joints are gone forever.

Neil.

 

[Ronin]

Was supposed to have hybrid disc inserted bettween C5/6 due to “degeneration” pre covid

Under NICE guidelines I was within age for this to be done at that time

Howver that no longer applies - I had hoped that the hybrid disc would retain my movement in neck over the latter option of fusing

Anyhoo, this hasn’t happened and to be honest I get by with some discomfort but get enough regular excercise that it has eased over the last few years to the point I’ll just love with it (I don’t take pain meds for it )

 

[Puds]

Was supposed to have hybrid disc inserted bettween C5/6 due to “degeneration” pre covid

Under NICE guidelines I was within age for this to be done at that time

Howver that no longer applies - I had hoped that the hybrid disc would retain my movement in neck over the latter option of fusing

Anyhoo, this hasn’t happened and to be honest I get by with some discomfort but get enough regular excercise that it has eased over the last few years to the point I’ll just love with it (I don’t take pain meds for it )

I’d love to not have the surgery, but I’m taking plenty of meds daily that I’m not keen on, and have biannual steroid injections into the nerve root which provide a lot of pain relief but apparently isn’t a long-term solution.

 

[Ronin]

That will be as unpleasant as it sounds

Wish you well with it mate

 

[eggy74]

 

[eggy74]

c456 all fused together, lost about 12' of movement left and right, but mine was through trauma so didnt get much say so in having it done or not. both discs shot out the back and whacked my spinal cord, luckily didnt sever it though. im a little unsteady on my feet but still get out shooting (only rabbits and pigeons) as often as i can

 

[Ronin]

View attachment 329218

**** !!!

 

[Hardy]

Going through the same symptoms for the last few months, constant pain in right shoulder going down my arm. Currently going to physio but does not seem to help at all . Has anyone benefitted from physio?

 

[Hornet 6]

Going through the same symptoms for the last few months, constant pain in right shoulder going down my arm. Currently going to physio but does not seem to help at all . Has anyone benefitted from physio?

Yes, without physio recovery from a C section fusion is not good, you will lose movement and have pain and stiffness post surgery. As for physio to help pre surgery, tried it for several years, on shoulders, neck elbows and hands. I didnt help at all, however if your the type yo not do the physio, then I'd recommend you do not have the spinal surgery, the physio is long and drawn out, and you will be doing the exercises for the rest of your life, when you stop physio you will stiffen up and lose movement again. my first fusion was in 2007 (I think) the second was about 3 or 4 years later, I am sill doing the exercises on a daily basis, seldom do I miss them, but a few days of not doing them and your stiff and in pain as you approach the limits of movement. several weeks of effort needed to get back to where you were. Looking back I think I would wait as long as possible before having spinal surgery, once done there is no going back.

Neil.

 

[Gunner223]

Talk about coincidence, just had a chat with the surgeon at The Manor in Oxford and I need 3/4 disc replacing /fusing
together, I go in tomorrow ill let you know how I get on .

 

[paul o']

Still waiting 2yrs ?
swelling on dura due too fall at work and now waiting for another yet another MRI with contrast But there are No doctors or consultants !