Posterior Laminectomy ... C Spine

[lal209]

Hello! I'm sorry for all the problems you've had. My niece is in the Army and had a similar situation with them taking way to long to take her issue (not spinal) seriously. I had a multi-level ACDF (C4-7) in Nov 2011. I was in the hospital 24 hours and the recovery went well with my return to work at 7 weeks. I just had multi-level laminectomies with fusion in the thoracic spine (T3-4, 5-6 and 9-10) and was in the hospital 5 days. I'm at 8 weeks post-op now and doing well. I returned to work (desk type computer) part-time last week. I'm scheduled for a lumbar laminectiony with fusion (L2-S1) on 13 Nov and have been told to expect about the same. Don't know if that translates to a laminectomy in the neck, but maybe it'll help. Based on what I've read, people's experiences really differ, so it's hard to say what the recovery will be like. But I can say that you definitely need not to rush the recovery and to take it easy. I know that it may be hard with the military and the physical work you all have to do, but try to take it as easy as you can. Hopefully the laminectomy will work for you. I saw immediate relief from several of my pain points with this last surgery. I waited too long (several years) to get the cervical work done and it looks like the pain/tingling in my left forearm, pinky and ring fingers may be permanent. So do go forward with it and try to stay positive. Good luck with it! Best wishes and thanks for serving!

[bpreachers]

Finally had my surgery after some set backs and reschedules. Surgery was 13 December and was quite a bit larger than originally planned. Ebded up being a full posterior laminectomy with decompression and fusion from level C3 - T4.

[jsewell]

Good luck with your recovery and don't let them push you back to work too soon. I am fused from C4 through L5 and know about long fusions.Just let this all heal !
judy

[bpreachers]

Originally Posted by jsewell

Good luck with your recovery and don't let them push you back to work too soon. I am fused from C4 through L5 and know about long fusions.Just let this all heal !
judy

Sadly in the military I don't have too much of an option on returning to work. As of right now I am getting 4 weeks recovery, maybe 6 if I can get it justified.

[lal209]

Hope you are doing ok. I had my surgery on 13 Nov and am at 6 weeks now. Although the surgical pain is gone, new pain is developing in my legs -- unclear the cause at this point. I don't know how you'll be able to go back to your type of work. In talking with my niece about your situation, she suggested that you go outside the military system to a private dr to get a review of your medical condition and use that to work with your navy doc and command for additional time and/or restricted duties. With the extensiveness of your surgery, you'll need a lot more time to ensure the fusion takes and you don't do more damage. That's esp importantly given the location of your surgery since further damage could be catastrophic. My niece hasn't contacted a private doc yet herself, but one of her nco's suggested it to her. You'd have to pay out of pocket, but a lot of docs will give you a self-pay discount. Don't know if that helps at all, but hope you're able to get through this without much trouble! Best wishes to you!

[fuzzy]

It seems that with a significent operation one needs at least 6 weeks.

How are you doing. i read your story with much interest due to your original diagnosis, back story of cervical myleopathy. I was also diagnosed with this and after my surgery in 09 I still have a lot of problems and increasing.

Would you discuss how you ended up with a much bigger surgery then expected. Was this known before they opened you up or did they decide during the operation?

I do with you a good recovery and am looking forrward to your updates!

[bpreachers]

When my NS did followup scans they also scanned my thorasic area and noted severe stenosis and impengement at the T1-t4 level which prompted them to fix it all in one swoop. Had my followup today my motor control in my left had has returned which is a very good sign that they have fibally corrected my issues. He said it can take up to three years for the tingling issues in my hand and numbness in my left foot to go away, if at all.

[fuzzy]

Do you mind if I ask, what does it feel like with this fusion, how does it limit your motions?

[bpreachers]

Can't tell as of yet. Things are still too stif and sore to try and figure that out.