I had a limp that I ignored for over a year...bad idea...that turned out to be very extreme stenosis with myelopathy. Saw the best neuro-surgeon in my city. He was no nonsense about my choices. Two of my levels were under 5 mm diameter. He said there was already permanent spinal cord damage, and I would have 4 level c3-c7 ACDF or within months, I would either be dead or paralyzed from the neck down. He told me to be very careful until then because any fall could cut my spinal cord in half. He said I was welcome to get a second opinion, but it would likely be the same. My sister was an RN on a neurology floor of the hospital, and she said he was the only one she would trust for that surgery. I am now disabled due to the spinal cord damage that had already happened, but thanks to the skilled surgeon, I can walk, and use my arms and hands. Wish I had seen the surgeon before the spinal cord was damaged.

@user-ds8oi6cy6b

9 ай бұрын

L.

Wonderful presentation. Thanks

Thank you Mark for the series of videos about your ACDF surgery; they are both informative and heartfelt and have really helped my wife deal with the anxiety of her pending surgery.

Thank you so much for sharing your story

Thank you for the great information and encouragement. Im 68 and very active as I play in a band, ride motorcycle, love boating and working out. I also was told by Rothman I need 4 level ACDF. I play guitar, piano and sing so Im very nervous about having my voal chord injured and my hands/arms returninng to normal. By the way...great playing! I reside at the Jersey shore so I have the option of going to NY or Philly. You've done great homework so I really was hoping you could give me the name of the surgeon you had as it would really help me feel better. I have read good things about Jefferson Health and I really would like to choose the best practitioner I can. Thanks so much! Frankie Lee

@LearnAtMyExpense

2 ай бұрын

Hi Frankie. I highly recommend Dr. James Harrop at Jefferson. He was the surgeon who performed my ACDF. Another great surgeon who I consulted with and is in Manhattan is Dr. K. Dan Riew. Both are highly respected and are often consulted by other neuro/ortho surgeons for complex surgeries, revisions, etc. Good luck!

I'm so glad you're okay now! I'm on the same journey with the same levels but not at your stage.

I recovering from a level-3. I kept falling down one day until I broke my ankle in 3 places and dislocated it This is all new to me, it been a 3 month journey, and not a fun one. I still have a way to go to be able to walk without a walker or wheelchair. I have lost 40 lbs during this, most because just the look of food made me sick. When the did MRI's that's when I learned about spinal stenosis. It's been very rough, and my toes are still feel like pins and needles. Hoping for full healing as soon as possible.

It's beautiful that you chose to make these videos! I am recovering from a 3-level cervical disk replacement and I keep postponing/hesitating to document my experience on YT, you are inspiring me to possibly finally do it. Best of luck and success with your recovery : )

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm definitely not one to put my personal life online but since there are so few positive, detailed, 4 level fusion experiences out there I felt like it was my way of helping others who may find themselves in a similar situation.

@jjohnston6645

Жыл бұрын

Pretty spot on about recovery. no pain. great video

@MedusasFeelinSalty

Жыл бұрын

I've had trouble finding people with 4 level experiences so thanks for making these videos. I'm going in for mine on Nov 4, a week after my daughter gets married. Looking forward to the rest, at this point lol.

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

@@MedusasFeelinSalty I didn't find many 4 level experiences either. That's what encouraged me to post mine. Good luck with your surgery!

I appreciate these videos more than you realize. I had an ACDF C5-C7 and then 9 months later an artificial disc with a Mobi-C and it has been an absolute nightmare for me... not because of the fusion (which has been great for me) but because I now have too MUCH movement from the artificial disc. I'm not looking at extending my fusion to 4 levels as a revision and your story is giving me a little more hope that this is the right call for me soon.

@LearnAtMyExpense

11 ай бұрын

As crazy an ordeal as going through a four level fusion was, I can't imagine what you're going through. Curious - when you say you have too much movement from the artificial disc - is it stressing the fusion, causing pseudarthrosis (non-healing) of the ACDF? Regardless, I wish you well. Stay positive and you'll get through this!

@daniellukiw

11 ай бұрын

@@LearnAtMyExpense Definitely not stressing the fusion. The fusion has been great. The stress is more upper cervical, C3-C4 where the ADR is at (and part of me is worried above that). Everything around my fusion level is as perfect as can be and I could not be happier with it. I just wish they did 4 levels at the start like I wanted them to do, even 10 minutes before my surgery I told them "just fuse 4 levels cause I'm gonna just have another surgery with the ADR anyway"... unfortunately they just wanted to "do what was the worst", also it was during the height of Covid in 2020 so that definitely played a part. I'm just glad the hospital was queit then for me LOL

Thanks for your very helpful and detailed story. I am contemplating on doing a neck surgery but still studying and have not decided on what route to take. Since you have done the C3-C7 fusion, I wanted to ask you about the possible "adjacent segment disease" the pressure and overload on the discs and facet joints above and below the fusion. What is your opinion on that?

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

I replied in the other video question about this. C2-3 and C7-T1 typically, for unknown reasons, do not degenerate like the other levels do. That said, of course I definitely worry somewhat* because I am very active, exercising daily. I have been playing pickleball 3 to 4 times per week and have been doing one yoga class per week, on track to add on another challenging vinyasa yoga class by mid-December hopefully. * I say I "worry somewhat" because it is something that concerns me but I learned a great lesson through this ordeal: I had no choice, so it was out of my control. I could keep worrying about things but that isn't going to make any difference, so I'm living my best life given the miracle that my recovery has been thus far.

I’m 50 y/o. Had a mild symptoms few weeks ago neck pain relieved with analgesia. MRI showed congenitally small cervical canal. C2/3 moderate stenosis but C3/4 moderate to severe stenosis. C4/5 C5-C6 severe cervical canal stenosis. My Neurosurgeon suggested urgent surgery I just don’t understand treating MRI scan rather my symptoms. Only feeling right now is lower back discomfort that relieved with stretching my back.

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Hi Vince. Sorry you are going through this. Definitely get another opinion. You don't want to get a major surgery like this unless there are no reasonable alternatives. Stenosis alone isn't a reason I don't think if you aren't exhibiting symptoms but consult with reputable surgeon to get confirmation. Good luck!

@imveryhungry112

Жыл бұрын

Did you end up doing the surgery? I personally wouldn't do it if I wasn't having wicked bad symptoms.

I stumbled upon this video while researching cervical spin fusions. I am 30 years old, I had surgery in 2021 to remove a golf ball size tumor from my cervical spine. I had three vertebrae removed and have been having trouble since my surgery and it was recommended that I have a fusion from C2-C7, just wondering someone else's perspective that has had a similar surgery. Positives/Negatives with the understanding that everyone's situation is different.

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Sorry you are going through this Chelcee. Cervical fusions are very commonly performed and considered "tried and true" but it is not too common to need so many levels done and especially not at your young age. This is all my opinion of course: Positives: - You're young; assuming you are otherwise healthy and in decent physical shape then you should recover well - Since you would be having your entire neck fused (with the exception of C1/2 and C7/T1), and given that the data shows that those two levels typically do not degenerate like the others, you likely won't need additional surgeries due to adjacent disc disease Negatives: - You will lose quite a bit of neck mobility. The higher up the spinal column the more mobility is lost. Most mobility is from C1/2 and C2/3. If you need C2/3 fused, you will lose quite a bit of mobility. Because of that one major negative, I am of the opinion that cervical fusion (or any major surgery) should be avoided unless it is unavoidable. While technically all cervical fusions are "elective", if you have multiple surgeons advising that you will suffer major consequences if you do not get the surgery, etc., then as long as you come to terms with the loss of mobility you will be able to confidently get through this and resume your life. And, while the reduction in mobility will suck, it's not going to be so much that you can't live a normal healthy life and do most/all of the activities you might partake in now. I myself am very active - working out daily, pickleball, etc. at age 51. MANY of the multilevel ACDF stories you might find on the internet are negative, but the studies are clear that the vast majority of people recover well and get on with their lives. That said...a 4 level ACDF is very uncommon (> 2% of all ACDF's are more than 3 levels). A 5 level ACDF, which is what you are considering, is even rarer but I have heard of it being done. I urge you to consult with the best surgeons you can - seek AT LEAST 2 opinions if not 3 or more. The key is finding a great surgeon. Best of luck and please let us know how you do!

Had You Vertigo like symptoms or feeling unsteady, or lightheaded Before The Surgery?

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

I did have slight balance issues prior to surgery. I didn't realize I did until some of the surgeons I met with prior to selecting one, during their evaluations, most will conduct physical tests. Some much more thorough than others. Prior to surgery I would go down stairs sideways a little. Also, my gait - my toes pointed outward when walking, which I later learned is a sign. I was positive Hoffmans and also positive for hyperreflexia as well. Thankfully, I started exercising daily about 10 years ago, and the last 18 months prior to surgery I was doing yoga classes 2x per week, so my balance was overall very good for someone in their 50's. But it should have been better, and is now post-surgery.

The MRI Shown in Thumb Nail is Your's I Mean of Pre Surgery?

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Yes it is

@blessed2986

Жыл бұрын

@@LearnAtMyExpense your Only disc which was problematic really was c3 which was severely Compressing Ur Spinal Cord But The rest were Pretty much Normall ( Like I Have in my MRI ) .still 4 level of acdf was recommended by ur surgeon ? Why ? Coz For me Not Recommending Still.even I m ready to ...

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

@@blessed2986 Easier to see in the full photo/view but C3-4 was severely compressed, C4-5 was perfectly fine, C5-6 was severely herniated causing compression, and C6-7 had a pinched nerve.

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

To add to this - surgery should only be recommended if you also have symptoms. Cord compression alone is not enough. There are lots of people out there who have a compressed spinal cord with no symptoms. They'll eventually die of old age/natural causes and never know they had it. It's only when you have symptoms. Google "MJOA score cervical spine" - it's a self-assessment you can use to judge whether surgery is recommended.

One week after mine how you dealing for sleep (painful)

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

I actually slept pretty well sleeping in a recliner for the first couple of months post-op. At the 7 week mark I was given the go ahead to remove the collar. Tried sleeping in my bed but it was very uncomfortable so I went back to the recliner for another few weeks. Eventually forced myself to sleep in my bed and I had a lot of difficulty getting a decent night's sleep for many months after. I'm now at 8.5 months post-op. The problem for me was the pillow/angle with my neck - I just couldn't find a pillow that was a good height for me while also comfortable. Tried a bunch. I was able to finally find a pillow that worked for me about a month ago and have been sleeping well since. Hang in there - it just takes time!

Need another favor. please let me know the spine surgeon that you saw at University of Penn. hospital.

@LearnAtMyExpense

8 ай бұрын

I prefer to not provide that surgeons name publicly as I don’t want to imply a recommendation nor negativity. He was clearly inexperienced.

@mitalibasu1947

8 ай бұрын

@@LearnAtMyExpense makes sense

Could you please share with me the name of the surgeon that you saw at University of penn hospital and the actual surgeon who did your surgery? I live in new jersey and am looking for a good surgeon.

@LearnAtMyExpense

8 ай бұрын

I chose Dr. James Harrop at Jefferson University Hospital to do my surgery and am very happy with the result.

@mitalibasu1947

8 ай бұрын

Thank you@@LearnAtMyExpense

I live in nyc. Can I ask what doctor you saw in nyc

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

I saw Dr. K Dan Riew. Although I ultimately chose to go with a different surgeon closer to my home, I can highly recommend Dr. Riew - he is recognized as an expert in cervical spine surgery. Good luck to you!

@conquer228

Жыл бұрын

@@LearnAtMyExpense he has done 5 ufc fighters . Riew is widely known

This seems interesting to me given my situation. I noticed that you said 2 weeks after the doctors told you you'd get paralyzed etc you lose 50% strength in your arm. Serious question, do you think they're words psychologically affected you in anyway and it manifested physically somehow? I mean what are the odds that the arm is fine your whole life, then 2 weeks after hearing those words its 50 percent weaker and you suffered no trauma? I had a surgeon tell me something similar a few months ago. Now I am hyperfocused on my neck problems and the symptoms are getting worse. I really think sometimes when they tell us there is no hope but invasive surgery people just give up and get surgery. I'm just posting this to let others kind of , be aware of the psychological aspects to all this stuff. It's a complex problem. And it's psychologically disturbing to be told you need spine surgery. It has really messed with my mind. Doctors tell me there's no hope but they're surgery but I'm terrified of their surgery. At this point I am in pain but at least I am still mobile I can walk well etc. I have no idea how I'll be after the surgery. But their words have stuck in my mind and I'm just so hyperfocused on my neck. There's definitely a psychological aspect to all of this.

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Certainly the psychological impact of going through this cannot be understated. In my case I did have symptoms prior to the surgery, for years actually, that I didn't know were due to my neck. The strength loss was already there it just took a major step down that day and no, definitely not psychological as I was very confident up until that morning that I was going to be fine. Thankfully my strength is all back post-surgery. Prior to and post-surgery I was a member of an ACDF Facebook group and have noticed, and this is purely my opinion, that this whole ordeal does very much impact people emotionally, psychologically, etc. The people who are on a lot of drugs pre-surgery often do not fare well post-surgery. And those who get "too much in their head" and focus on every little thing negatively also do not fare well. But we all suffer some emotional damage from going through this. Heck, these videos I post are probably just my way of processing what the heck happened. On the subject of paralysis....I've come to the conclusion that that is way overstated by surgeons. I recently saw a study that showed pretty clearly that the risk of paralysis due to cervical spine pathology is extremely rare. At the very least it is overstated as a risk.

@imveryhungry112

Жыл бұрын

@LearnAtMyExpense yeah man it's extremely traumatizing. This is embarrassing but I've had to go on medication to deal with some of the anxiety. It's like you have pain , but it's not until the surgeons tell you that it's coming from nerves in your spine that you freak out. It's because, there's no way out but a terrifying surgery that may or may not work. Then your questioning what this means for your future. And the doctors have little answers. I said, how fast will this progress? My surgeon, one of the top, said he had no idea. It's like you go from one day thinking your going to be healthy for a long time, to the next minute being frail and afraid to really use your body because you might damage your spine even more. It's scary man. I also did see some statistics of how a fall could paralyze you if you have cord compression. Lol the doctor said you have more of a statistical chance of being paralyzed DURING the actual surgery, and yes they did a huge study on this in Japan. It's just scary because there's no way out and you don't know how the disease will progress. Some people legit , it NEVER progresses anymore. Their whole life. And then the next person becomes disabled from it!! Sorry for the rant. But people don't seem to acknowledge what this does to a person psychologically. Especially if perhaps you've already had some latent emotional issues.

@imveryhungry112

10 ай бұрын

@@LearnAtMyExpense hey man in one of your other comments you talked about the MJOA assessment for myelopathy. Thanks for sharing that it is extremely useful and intuitive to understand.

Also my surgery was from a slip fall case lawsuit..more than 2years ago....it's like a horror show still need 2 more surgeries.saying lower back which in agony constantlyand right shouldersurgery.but no t now not comfortable w the Dr'...no way never again....sucks also I cannot move my neck at all.

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Urge you to get multiple surgical opinions. I saw 5 before selecting one. Best of luck and I hope you find relief soon.

Myelopathy --> Surgery ASAP thats the guidlines... well you should do only 1 lvl with no plate there are new better ochions..

@LearnAtMyExpense

Жыл бұрын

Not necessarily. This paper is the current recommendation guidelines for practitioners, authored by the top cervical spine surgeons, and references the MJOA score as a key indicator as to whether surgery should be recommended: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5684840/

@rnoe1986

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this publication