(6/20, They didn't kill me) Surgery, Tuesday morning (6/19).

[Old_Rooster]

I had the same procedure in 1999, I felt much better right after the surgery, had all of the feeling back in my arms and legs. Full recovery did take 12-18 months, I was training again after 4 months however very lightly. I have been pain free for a number of years, they fused my C5,C6 & C7 with bone grafts from a cadaver. I know they have much better medical technology now so you will be fine.

I live a completely normal life, however I was never able to train heavy again after the surgery, I can train with moderate weights, but anything too heavy makes me feel as if I will just blow my neck out again.

My neck was ruined with college football and I actually blew it out doing very heavy behind the neck presses, I felt it pop and get real hot at the time of the ruptures.

Great tip to give everyone is you should NEVER do behind the neck presses.  I think it was the early 90's that docs began to warn everyone that was a god awful exercise,  don't even do lat pulls behind the neck.  If thou doeth those exercises, then thee is an idiot!

[onlyme]

I'm waiting for Apenis to give us his expert advice since he knows so much about everything.  For all we know he might have became a doctor overnight.  Get ready Tommy for the most advanced medical advice.

[tommywishbone]

Thanks guy! 

If I get the video shot of the operation, I'll post it on youtube.

[the_doc]

Alright kids... broke down tommywishbone, done broke something he can't fix. Herniated disc @C5, C6 & C7. 15-18mm of distention at C6 & 7. "Severe spinal canal stenosis" resulting in.... well... a  real F-ing mess.

OK Getbig Maniacs, help out your old broke down friend. Tips? Personal experiences? Ideas? Post surgery hints? Rehab you've seen work, etc. I'm listening.

Regards,
Tommywishbone

best of luck. Ask plenty of questions before you are discharged from hospital about your post of care.
I wish you a speedy recovery.

Yup, that would be ACDF.  It is one of my favorite spine operations because patients do so well.  Even though your disease sounds severe, the surgery should be relatively straight forward.  And if you have mainly pain in your arms/legs but no true weaknessand or bowel/bladder problems, then you will likely have significant relief immediate post operatively.  The pain is minimal from the surgery because the approach to the cerival spine from the front requires no muscle dissection.  That is why the surgery is clean and fast.  You will have sore throat and may be hoarse because of the retraction involved, but rarely do patients require alot of narcotics afterwards.  The only time this surgery can be difficult is if corpectomy (removal of partial or entire vetebral body rather than just the disc) is needed.   But it doesn't sound like the case.

As for the artificial disc, unfortunately it is falling out of favor.  Although the idea seemed good, the technology is just not quite there yet to simulate all the propertieis of a real disc.  Furthermore, people don't really advocate putting something like this in patients with more than one level of disease.  Another thing to consider is that if something ever goes wrong, those things are a pain to take out (and don't forget sometimes dangerous).    For now, the standard discectomy and fusion with cadaver bone graft remains the best choice and most effective surgery in most patients.  This of course is only my opinion.  Actually, its the opinion of most neurosurgeons, including the giants in the field (Fessler, Benzil, Foley, Schaffrey, etc).  

Back surgery on the other hand is alot more painful, and are often ineffective at taking care of chronic back pain.  But that's another subject in itself. 

Anyway, enough from me.  I am happy to look at your MRI if you wish. 

Lewis

Welcome to the boards. I lurked for years before posting. I've done a bit of medicine and surgery but I'm staring general surgery in July. Hope to specialise in hepato-biliary.

the Doc

[tommywishbone]

Hi guys, thanks again for the replies and info.

I'm back home and the surgery was successful.

- 4hrs, 20 mins, on the operating room table.
- removal of disc between C5/C6/C7.
- bone marrow from my trochanter, packed between the vertebra.
- two titanium brackets screwed into the vertebra.
- I can walk, but it's funny to watch
- Fusion takes place in 6-12 weeks.
- pain/tremors in my arm and back is gone.
- Percocet was RX for post surgery... no oxycontin.

No video of the procedure, but I have some decent photos. I'll post them ASAP.

Right now, I could most likely total 25 pounds: Squat 0/Bench press 15/deadlift 10.

T-

[will938]

Tommy, I wish you a speedy recovery mate

[bigdumbbell]

Hi guys, thanks again for the replies and info.

I'm back home and the surgery was successful.

- 4hrs, 20 mins, on the operating room table.
- removal of disc between C5/C6/C7.
- bone marrow from my trochanter, packed between the vertebra.
- two titanium brackets screwed into the vertebra.
- I can walk, but it's funny to watch
- Fusion takes place in 6-12 weeks.
- pain/tremors in my arm and back is gone.
- Percocet was RX for post surgery... no oxycontin.

No video of the procedure, but I have some decent photos. I'll post them ASAP.

Right now, I could most likely total 25 pounds: Squat 0/Bench press 15/deadlift 10.

T-

sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[240 is Back]

Right now, I could most likely total 25 pounds: Squat 0/Bench press 15/deadlift 10.

Welcome to my world.

[Tapeworm]

Don't forget to call off the hit on the doc.  You might need him to prescribe more drugs.

[dknole]

speedy recovery T.

[tommywishbone]

Will.... thanks my man.
240..... many thanks 
Tapeworm....... good advice.

dknole.... Much appreciated

T-

[dr.chimps]

Speedy recovery, Tommy. At the least, Getbig will provide lots of laughs for your rehab. 

/nothing makes people laugh more than cripple jokes 

[youandme]

Rub some NO Xpolde on it and you should be fine in a week. 

lmao

Good luck, no matter what anyone says hospital food is good.

[onlyme]

Tommy, call me when you can talk and laugh