I got the results from my cervical and brain MRI.
Brain is hunky dory. Unremarkable. Odd, actually, given the huge amount of mental issues I have.
My neck has gotten worse. Either he didn't have a really clear image of it a few years ago, or it has gotten extremely worse. I'm goin with the latter based on...everything.
My c-4 through c-6 have severe foraminal stenosis and osteophytosis resulting in severe neural compression.
What this means is that I'm royally fucked.
For the last 3 years we have done all the nonsurgical treatments available and it's only progressed worse.
That means there's only one option left.
Fusion.
3
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@LadyAlyxandrea Plan for the worst and hope for the best?
I know when I had carpal tunnel surgery they fully expected to have to move my nerves from the outside of my elbows to the interior - however decompressing the wrist nerves accomplished wonders. I did not require two more surgeries.
Maybe they need to consider very carefully what materials they use for the surgery?
If there are any space age or new materials they may want to try them.
Slow healing is a pain in the butt - but very survivable. You just would have to be careful extra long. And how the heck are you going to get enough help to not be the primary caregiver for 5 minutes to have this done?
If need be go to supported recovery.
I have a friend who went home and his screws never set properly. He's lucky he's otherwise healthy or he'd have way more problems then he does.
RavenCT
Level 9
Oct 1, 2018
0
Ah yeah, I'm hoping to use something newer. However I want lighter to reduce strain on the lower vertebrae but lighter usually means weaker. I also fear developing allergies to the metal or fake disk. Or leaching metal problems.
Then there's also the issue of metal detectors and mri safe metals... I mean I'll need more mris in the future. That's just part of having ddd and eds.
As for stopping long enough to recover, lol, my grandmother normally stays with us and makes sure I don't overdo it. Plus mom isn't working so she can't escape my whining. ???
Feck! Any info on how that works with EDS patients?
RavenCT
Level 9
Oct 1, 2018
1
Very little. Eds automatically causes slower healing. And it'll be highly likely to cause compression on the vertebrae under the fusion in the future.