1 level ACDF - 9 months Post Op - Positive Outcome

[Dc_indi]

Just wanted to provide this info since I remember being terrified before I had my surgery. I am so glad I had it done - actually should have had it done immediately. Insisted on post OP PT as a preventative measure for to hopefully prevent other levels of herniation. No limited range of motion (may have had more range of motion than normal prior to surgery). Back playing contact sports (HOCKEY). Very happy I had the surgery and wanted to make sure others could read a positive outcome if considering fusion. I would have liked disc replacement, but could not get insurance to approve. Since it was only one level - decided to move forward. Hope this info helps.

SURGERY DATE: 9/27/2013

AGE AT SURGERY DATE: 38

SURGEON: B. Thomas Mazahery, MD

SURGERY LOCATION/CLINIC: Reston Hospital Center- Reston, Virginia

DEVICE(s), LEVEL(s): ACDF, C5-C6

COST = Approx $80000 (per insurancre)
AMOUNT BILLED:
INSURANCE ALLOWED:
OUT OF POCKET: $5000
TRAVEL:
EXPLANATIONS?


ONSET OF LUMBAR PROBLEMS, DATE OF INJURY, CAUSE, ETC...: Had occasional neck pain/headaches for last two years. Had scapular pain on and off - attributed to sleeping in poor position. In June 2013 awoke in the middle of the night to feeling like I had a rubber band snap all the way down from my neck to the first two fingers in my left hand. Almost like an electrical shock. Awoke with pain in my arm and numbness in left hand. Progressively worse until I could not sleep laying down and had to hold my hand above my head to find any relief. Finally got so bad I went to the emergency room - diagnosed possible herniated disc. Given Medrol dose pack and pain killers - helped but still could not lay down in a prone position to sleep. But able to resume relatively normal lifestyle for a week or two. Onset of weakness in left hand (myleopathy) and continued pain/numbess. Started dropping things - no strength in left tricept. Pain would come and go but still not able to lay down to sleep. MRI showed ruptured disc in C5-C6. Saw three spinal surgeons - all recommended surgery. Tried to get ACDR but not approved by BCBS. ACDF also not approved until doctor/doctor consult took place. ACDF performed 9/27/2013.

PRIOR SPINE SURGERIES AND PROCEDURES (IDET, ESI, etc...): None

PRE-OP MEDICATIONS: Anti-bacterial wash

PRE-OP DIAGNOSTICS (discogram, nerve root blocks, etc...): Bloodwork/MRI

PRE-OP NEUROPATHIES (what, where, & degree of pain, numbness, tingling, sexual/bladder/bowel symptoms, etc.): Left arm, left hand pain, numbness and tingling. Weakness in left hand (<-- major reason for going forward with surgery - since the longer I waited, I was told that it was unlikely to be resolved)

PRE-OP CONDITION (Please include %leg pain/% back pain, pain levels, type of pain, ability to work and function, disability status, etc.... be direct, but be as verbose as you need to): Pain - level 3/4 but still had weakness. Pain would come and go - left arm (elbow to fingers) First two fingers of left hand numb.

TIME POST-OP AT ORIGINAL POST HERE:

DESCRIBE YOUR SURGICAL EXPERIENCE: Surgery went well - stayed 1 night in hospital. Had immediate relief from pain, numbness improved. Was immediately able to lay on my back without pain. Lots of trouble swallowing for the first three or four days. By third day, had TERRIBLE DEBILITATING headaches. CSF leak suspected, but resolved on its own. Had excessive swelling in incision area the first few days at home - but improved quickly after 1 week. Eating almost normally by end of week.

RATE FUNCTIONALITY / SATISFACTION AT INTERVALS BELOW:

FUNCTIONALITY:
6. Excellent: no limitations. ( Though I still have occasional numbess/tingling - there is no pain)

SATISFACTION:
5. I'm very glad I did my surgery.

Don't forget the detail update section below!
DATE UPDATED: ___6/2/2014______ FUNCTIONALITY: 6 SATISFACTION:5 ___ [9 MONTHS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [1 YEAR POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [2 YEARS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [3 YEARS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [4 YEARS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [5 YEARS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [6 YEARS POST-OP]

DATE UPDATED: _________ FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [7 YEARS POST-OP]

6 WEEKS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ECT... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):
Still occasional numbess/tingling in left hand. Still lack of strength but no progressive weekness. Some lack of range of motion seen. Pain resolved.

3 MONTHS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

6 MONTHS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):