Anterior Cervical Fusion: 3D Medical Animation

[WingsOfASnowhiteDove]

If you have had a fusion (1992 and again 1994) C3-C4., C4,C5 with a plate and screws can you have that removed and this new disc put in so you can have moblitiy? Or is it too late. My husband is suffering terrribly with headaches, shoulder and muscle spasms. He also has had lumbar surgeries X2, and has to have L4, L5, S1 anterior. He is in horrible pain and never has any relief. His injuries are from 1990. Thanks for the information.

[Sidhe27]

I had this done, C6-C7, 8 years ago. The only thing that really hurt was the graft site on my hip. Had sore muscles in my neck and that was it. That iliac graft is extremely painful!

[shipcafe]

I just had this done at C7. I am doing very well just two weeks after. I only just have swelling at the incision site and difficulty swallowing but have gone great otherwise.

[nicholasb12]

My dad had this done.

[utubeworms]

Isn't artificial disc replacement the way to go nowadays? I would think that using and MRI, and a C & C machine, a perfect replacement disc made out of a composite polyurethane could be built for the patient. This would restore the patients neck to perfect functionality.

[solidsnake88001]

Well not to many people actually qualify for true replacement. Having gone through this myself on my c4,5,6,7. I would rather fuse than have the chance of a manmade part wearing out and having to replaced in the future. I was actually given the option and i chose fusion over replacement for that simple fact. My "curve is more of a straightline. The lack of mobility is actually a trade off to become functional again. It took them so long to catch mine that the damage was permanant to my limbs.

[deputydog1296]

I gotta get that done except its just two levels. Can you give me some insight?

[924mama]

Wow! I am facing the same problem, my surgeon said the longer I wait to have this done, the more likely I will not get my full straingth back after the surgery. I was curious about disc replacement too, but have been told so many personal success stories with the fusion, that I agree it's the way to go. I have started the pre-op process ,I should have my surgery date soon.

[nvd2ceb4]

Would this help put the normal 'C' curve on your neck? Whiplash caused me to lose my normal curve. My neck now has a slanted line instead of the backwards 'c' curve. It's left me with cervical vertigo as well.

[Lacuna97]

This is like the Game "TRAUMA CENTER"· for Wii and NintendoDS

[dirty5044]

Check out my story on my blog. cervicalspinalfusion.blogspot

[zombiefan280]

ill pray hope u get better

[windsonginga]

I had this surgery done April the 7th. The first two weeks for me were a bit tough. Couldnt turn my head much and no real lifting. I also had a lot of swelling in my esaphogus, so when i tried to brush my teeth and lean over the sink the plate pushed forward on the esophagus and kicked in the gag mechanism. I Now I have almost full range of motion in my neck. The pain in my arm from the pinched nerve and arthritis are gone, yet it was only half my problem , I also have a rotator cuff tear .sigh

[RICARTCR]

My mom underwent this surgery, an arthrodesis between C6-C7, and the results were amazing, she was in a lot of pain for 3 years, without diagnosis, now, 2 days after surgery, her pain in the shoulder and back is reduced in an 80%, and the only pain she has is in the surgical access area, and a little bit of pain in the shoulders, because of the head traction, during surgery. G-d bless Dr. Eduardo Huertas, in CIMA hospital in Costa Rica, an amazing neurosurgeon, and great treat to the patient

[johnheys]

I had this procedure completed on the 24th march 2009, after 3 months in agony where my right arm had the nerve trapped by the prolapsed c7 disc( caused by arthritis). just after 4 weeks and i 'm fine with no pain relief needed after the 1st two weeks, looking forward to going back to work on the 16th apiril 2009. The op sounds scary and i know everybody is different, but i would do it again tomorrow if needs be. ( i also have c5 and c6 diseased, good luck to you all and hope this might help

[joannatrose]

Just had this done on c-5-6 with plate and hardware last Friday, 3-13-09. I am healing. Original pain was gone immediately after surgery. However, although I am feeling better a little each day, the pain in the back of my neck is bad. But only if I do more than I should. Follow the drs. orders and you should be ok. I have 4 little girls under 10 so its hard to not do ANYTHING around the house. I still think I made the right decision. Had a great surgeon......North Carolina

[SeanSaosin]

funny how this is the only video everyone gets along and supports eachother.......i guess life and death etc really brings people together......there should be more of these videos spread into every part of youtube to show people the preciousness of life and the human body..i broke my neck last year...im healed and out of neckbrace no surgery c5 c3..im so scared every day its gonna rebreak and i may have arthritus pray for me everyone...cuz the nerves dont take much to get irritated..-sean

[yourehot1028]

this is terrifying. they told me I needed this done to 3 disc in my neck

[niedaman]

i had this surgery on thursday, 22/01/09, and i went home on sunday. before surgery i was kinda cool about it, but the10 hours at the ICU were hell, i didnt want the nurses to move me or even touch me, im still terrify but the surgery went well and i can move both arms very well, im even playing guitar hero xD, but i havent sleep more than 3 hours since the surgery.

[SeanSaosin]

ya the anxiety and worry im sure can have a large impact on your emotions and feelings of peace..well i pray u keep strong and get some good rest man..i broke my neck and..c3 c5 compression fracture i was in neckbrace 5 monthes..no disc herniation or nerve damage yet its been a year since iv healed but i dont think im quite as good before alot of crackyiness in my neck etc and arthritus im only 21 i was a bodybuilder..pray for me man.i pray for u now u remain happy bro all blesses in christ amen

[SteelersSteelers1]

I know how you feel I broke my neck 3 yrs. ago (it was my c2 and c4) I am doing good just like you the crackyness is going to be normal

[stama9]

I had this procedure done between the C5 n C6 discs, except they didn't use any screws or plates. I also had a cervical laminoplasty where they remove the tips discs from the back of the neck and expand the narrowed nerve canal for the nerve chord. I remember being SO terrified before surgery. It's safer than you might think. I'm lucky enough to be all fine now. My heart goes out to anyone that has to get this done, or anyone who hasn't had found relief after this procedure. Feel free to ask.

[DaMom2006]

I had this surgery on 5/17/07 and still have a lot of pain. The weakness and numbness is better in my arms but will probably be on pain management for the rest of my life - surgeon said about 30% of people never get rid of the pain but at least the bone degeneration is fixed. I had C4-C7 done and it took me 2 years and 7 different doctors to find a surgeon to operate on me.

[9161959]

I had this surgery Oct. 2007. I had a double fusion in my c4-c5 & c5-c6 and docs think I'm gonna need it in my c6-c7 area.

I was in horrifying pain for 3 months prior to the surgery. Lots of pain after the surgery, but it healed well. I also lost the use of my little finger and ring finger on my hand, dunno if it was pre-surgery or during surgery. Prior to surgery, my pain was so bad, I knew my arm and hand was getting weak, but I don't know if that's when it happened or not.

[JustLouIt]

I had that exact surgery, except for me the C2-C3 were fused. I had a "hangman's" fracture. Very little if any pain post-op. Voice is horse for a few days due to the manipulation of the vocal cords. The surgen cut along one of the skin creases so there is pretty much no visible scar.

[ohdamitsjovi]

that heka huuurts ooooooooooooooh my gosh it sliced it in the thing woudnt that hurt if that was u?...........

[tippyray]

No. I had it too, 3 years ago and the results were immediate. Easiest surgery I have ever been through. My neck muscles were a little tired and had a sore throat for a couple of days - that was it. I regained the use of my right arm. Thank God.

[ReielSC]

Thank the doc.

[pebbernobber]

God! Wouldn't those screws interfere with nerve endings? This surgery looks really dangerous. i sure wouldn't anyone doing that to me!

[dmbfan1970]

i have this exact operation coming up next week, nervous to say the least

[Tweak01]

Hey dmbfan,

Let us know how your surgery went, and how your recovery is going. This will help many other in making the same decision you've made.

Good luck my friend!! All the best with your convalecense.

[milemarker68]

Had this same procedure done two weeks ago. I had C6 & C7 fused. The couple of nights is hard to get around. Its been two weeks and the little pain that I had is almost gone. Hope it goes well for you. I am sure you will be just fine. Good Luck.

[pikeystudmuffin]

It will be 12 months in November 08 since I had this procedure done. It was worth it! Any questions please ask I will try to help. Im back working now, I have my right arm back and Im in no more pain.

[hydro912001]

getting c5/c6 fused 04/-6/09 with hardware over at hospital for joint disease

[ngoginrats1393]

recovery would be painful methinks.

[pikeystudmuffin]

No, I was in so much pain before the op anything had to be an improvement. To my supprise when I came around I was totaly pain free, it took a futher 3 months to get my arm moving again though.

[bbbluedog]

What sections did you get fused

[lioxait]

if something goes wrong?

[optiluiz]

MUITISSIMO BOM!

[optiluiz]

VÍDEO EXCELENTE!

[sheiladunbar100]

There is no laternative approved for this surgery yet articficial discs have not been approved by the FDA I was told by the surgeon to have this while I was still young 48 because recovery is hard and I am still recovering after surgery in 2007 and that means I am still trying to get my strength back to presurgery

[pootmom]

I had this done 05/30/08. Neurologist originally told me to return to full activity after 1st MRI. We pressed him for MRI cervical spine. Then we saw C5-6, C6-7. Neurosurgeon at Tufts didn't tell us about post-op choking, inability to swallow, no sleep. Nada. Feels like the food goes to a newly made cavity in my stretch esophagus and then meters out with time, choking me. If someone tells you to move forward with this consider regeneratve and/or artifical discs. It's your life. God bless.

[djkd2277]

I had this surgery done on Feb. 29th 2008 Cervical Anterior c5 and 6 dicectomy fusion and plate with screws. My life is a living hell, pain discomfort and recovery time not what the doctor said it would be! I wounder if I will ever be the same? My wife & kids think I'm a grumpy old 41 year old man. I will probely loose my wife over this one. Can't work, can't hardly drive, can't fish cut the grass and just about everything else you can think of!! How long if ever will it tkae me to get well?

[DXB2B]

Why didn't you try artificial disk? its suppose to be a mush safer bet than fusion and provides more flexibility?

[alreggie]

Did you ever have the posterior area fused as well? Maybe a re-do is necessary.

[thecaz16]

this is what i had done 3 weeks ago. i tried physical therapy for a year and i had c5,c6 and c7 disk replacement and i waited so long to have surgery that i experienced the worse pain of my life when my disk herniated and compressed my nerve in my left arm there was no pain medicine on earth to make me feel better and i was begging for surgey. the surgery itself was a breeze but the recovery was a little hard but well worth it. its been three weeks and I FEEL GREAT.

[99Harleydude]

I'm about to have my c4 and c5 taken out and my c6 and c7 fussed. My c5 is pinching my cored. I'm losing power in my arm. They say it will get worse if I left it alone. I'm a young 48.

[mgjgmgng]

Yeah this looks safe?!!!

I would have to be near death before someone did this craziness to me.

[joshzachmatt]

well, after going thru decompression (out of pocket expense $2,000), surgery's my next and final option

[lili1nsa]

very good!!

[ryderguy18]

I know of people who have had a specific atlas adjusment by a chiropractor and ...they didnt have to have any surgery. Even some that did have surgery had a 90% reduction problems post surgery. Its amazing!!

[max10wonderboy]

Old surgery i dont perform it anymore! new medicine is regenerative..so i regenerate the disc if the patient is under 60 or i just do endoscopic..the outcome of this surgery can be debated! 60 % recive compleate healing about 10% amiloration 25 % none and 5 % get even worst! i hope my surgery becomes more popular

[RaggaRasta]

I had my C6-C7 fused back in May 07 and still trying to recover.

[AnatomaniaK]

Rastaman, are you glad you did it?

[joshzachmatt]

what do you mean you're still trying to recover?

[scarypowers]

i had it done in july 09 and i'm still not well....alot of pain in neck and shoulder and arm....are you any better now?

[api9mm]

They show the procedure going in from the right. It is the right side procedure that causes nerve damage (paralysis) to the vocal cords.

[AnatomaniaK]

wonderful. the allograft works perfect!

[Arsiisoo]

aww..the protrusion must hurt!

[HooDooDat]

I've had 3 anterior fusions w/hardware, 1 posterior revison for pseudoarthodesis, so now I'm fused from C3-C7, in constant pain. Spinal fusion shouldn't be a elective procedure! I had tetrapalegia other wise I would have done anything to avoid fusion.

[tekiemy]

good post thx much ...keep posting med vids helps me ...in grad school thx

[mynonsense]

im glad im not a doctor im queezzzy jus looking at it

[Skyethur]

but it's nice to be a doctor you save life.

[IndianInk214]

but yeah the modelling is incredible

[black7kilt]

totally agree.

[sarahben2]

Fantastic illustrations. Realistic and simple to understand.