Cervical spine fusion/backpack hunting

[5MilesBack]

The neuro I went to see said it is my C8 failing due to all the stress being concentrated there since the 5-7 is fused. He said a 7-8 fusion is possible, but locking up 4 of them would be a pretty severe limit on mobility and concentrate even more stress on the above and below.

This is my concern. For me starting off doing a 4-level fusion is bad enough. But then what happens with that added stress above and/or below the fusion? Do they just keep fusing the new problem areas until you can't move at all? It's all a concern for me because I know I won't slow down any and will probably escalate that degradation around the fusion.

Also, what do they use to fuse them all together? I've heard of steel plates (that can't be good in an MRI), and I've also heard of bone. Where the heck do they get the bone? If it's off of some other part of my body, I think I'll be delaying even longer to get this done.

 

[JDB9818]

I had a two level fusion (C5 - C7) about a year and a half ago. I put it off for about 3-4 years by trying PT, injections, etc. without any real relief. Finally had it done and wished I would have done it a lot sooner. I am back pretty much 100% (I was able to hunt like normal last year).

For replacing the disc they can use a titanium spacer or cadaver bone (they might even have a "plastic" type option). My doctor recommended the titanium solution but my insurance company disagreed. The cadaver option has been fined and I healed up well.

Good luck.

 

[fwafwow]

I had a two level fusion (C5 - C7) about a year and a half ago. I put it off for about 3-4 years by trying PT, injections, etc. without any real relief. Finally had it done and wished I would have done it a lot sooner. I am back pretty much 100% (I was able to hunt like normal last year).

For replacing the disc they can use a titanium spacer or cadaver bone (they might even have a "plastic" type option). My doctor recommended the titanium solution but my insurance company disagreed. The cadaver option has been fined and I healed up well.

Good luck.

Would you mind sharing any info about your recovery and restrictions on activities?

 

[JDB9818]

Would you mind sharing any info about your recovery and restrictions on activities?

My doctor was pretty strict with making sure I didn't lift much or do much for the first 6 weeks. I could walk all I wanted but had to take it easy. Went back to work doing some light duty stuff after 6 weeks then back to full duty no restrictions after 12 weeks.

I did some PT which was helpful. I was a little nervous initially just because it's your neck and there are a lot of important parts around there, but I got over that rather quickly. I was able to start running again and immediately started shooting my bow at that 12 week mark. Bow hunted in September (surgery was in January) with zero issues.

As long as I followed the doctors orders early and didn't mess anything up, I feel that I was able to get back to normal sooner once cleared. I was having a lot of nerve issues prior to my surgery and within a couple of weeks post surgery I was having almost no nerve issues at all. 100% happy I had it done.

 

[fwafwow]

My doctor was pretty strict with making sure I didn't lift much or do much for the first 6 weeks. I could walk all I wanted but had to take it easy. Went back to work doing some light duty stuff after 6 weeks then back to full duty no restrictions after 12 weeks.

I did some PT which was helpful. I was a little nervous initially just because it's your neck and there are a lot of important parts around there, but I got over that rather quickly. I was able to start running again and immediately started shooting my bow at that 12 week mark. Bow hunted in September (surgery was in January) with zero issues.

As long as I followed the doctors orders early and didn't mess anything up, I feel that I was able to get back to normal sooner once cleared. I was having a lot of nerve issues prior to my surgery and within a couple of weeks post surgery I was having almost no nerve issues at all. 100% happy I had it done.

Thank you - very much.

I'm in the same boat as far as nerve and muscle pain, and degeneration, so I don't see much choice and I'm looking forward to it. It will be nice to be able to sleep in a normal position without pain meds.

I will have 3 months before the SC opener for deer archery, and another month for GA, so if my doctor clears me a bit earlier for some light weights, I expect I should be fine. And if I can't get back to shape by then, I can just wait a bit. (Almost my entire 2020 season was screwed due to a different health problem, so another delay isn't the end of the world.)

How long before you could drive, fly, or sit in a chair for an extended period of time? I reluctantly admit that hunting isn't my entire life, and work requires me to periodically travel and sit through meetings. Right now I can do it, but I have to mask some pain - so I am thinking it can't be worse after the surgery than it is now.

 

[JDB9818]

Thank you - very much.

I'm in the same boat as far as nerve and muscle pain, and degeneration, so I don't see much choice and I'm looking forward to it. It will be nice to be able to sleep in a normal position without pain meds.

I will have 3 months before the SC opener for deer archery, and another month for GA, so if my doctor clears me a bit earlier for some light weights, I expect I should be fine. And if I can't get back to shape by then, I can just wait a bit. (Almost my entire 2020 season was screwed due to a different health problem, so another delay isn't the end of the world.)

How long before you could drive, fly, or sit in a chair for an extended period of time? I reluctantly admit that hunting isn't my entire life, and work requires me to periodically travel and sit through meetings. Right now I can do it, but I have to mask some pain - so I am thinking it can't be worse after the surgery than it is now.

I was able to drive again after 6 weeks (I had to be able to drive to work) but I took it easy. It was easy to sit in a chair for any length of time without issues. I was walking with my wife 4-5 miles a day within a week or two of having the surgery. Walking was encouraged by my doctor and I felt it helped to get out and back at it. I saw my doctor right at the 12 week mark and literally picked up my bow and started shooting when he cleared me to do so (I did drop the draw weight to start then was able to quickly move my way back up).

I was like you and couldn't sleep, sit, walk much or really do any exercise without quite a bit of pain. Almost all of that went away right after surgery. I was pretty nervous but it went well and I am happy I did it.

Good luck, I know exactly how you are feeling.

 

[ChrisS]

I've got C4-C6 fused. Titanium plate and six screws. They inject some kind of polymer or something in the interstitial spaces that acts like bone. That was in 2012 at 38 after four years of progressively worse pain and numbness. The neuro was surprised I'd made it that long with the size of the protrusions and calcification. I followed the restrictions after surgery for 6-8 weeks and then slowly ramped up activity. After 12 weeks, I was digging out a stump. Nine years later, I rarely have any problems. Occasional numbness or tingling if I overdo something, like lifting a full 120qt cooler by myself (don't do that), but as long as I rest, I'm fine in a few days. I'm 47 now and I lift weights, kettlebells, run, ruck, etc, without an issue.