Cervical Spine (Neck) Injury

[Help]

I have seen 2 neurosurgeons in Sydney recently regarding a cervical disc protrusion at c6 pressing on a root nerve. 1 of the 2 surgeons is very well-renowned (and is mentioned on this site).

My issue is that their advice/opinion differs significantly. The 1st is more aggressive about undertaking surgery in general and suggests using the ACDF approach. The 2nd is more conservative (ie recommends that I wait-and-see for the next couple of weeks) generally more optimistic about non-surgical solutions and recommends a posterior foramenotomy and removal of only the protrusion if surgery eventuates. As someone who is petrified of surgery on my neck and eager to go the least invasive or risky route, I would obvioulsy like to trust surgeon 2. My question is, is there any objective measure I can use when choosing who to trust?

I suppose that one thing I might do is go for a 3rd opinion, but this may just cause more confusion again. Is there are a source of information that I might tap into that might be valuable guidance? For example, are there hospital records or some kind of database of precendents that I might be able to look at? Or is my best hope to rely on web forums such as this and other sources of word-of-mouth?

I would be grateful for any advice that anyone out there may have.

[Help]

I would be grateful for any opinions that anyone out there may have about this procedure; particularly as an alternative to the 'traditional' method of Anterior Discectomy and Fusion technique to remedy a cervical nerve root compression.

It seems that every day there is another surgeon promoting an alternative solution to procedures such as ACDF. Some of them are patently unsafe (eg most neurosugeons are horrified with endoscopies on the cervical spine, even though there are surgeons in the US who rave about it).

My question is, what is the consensus on Posterior Cervical Foramenotomy and Discectomy to relieve root nerve compression?

I would be grateful for any advice or guidance anyone out there can offer.

[jenmar]

i have had surgery (spinal fusion) on my C5-C6 in November 2003. I had an enormous amount of pain down my right leg as the disc had actually ruptured and was squasing my spinal chord. In March of 2004 I started getting severe pain down my right arm and after having yet another MRI it was discovered that my C6-C7 had also ruptered. I again had sugery, only by this time my doctor had been overseas and had a new solution. I had a titanium disc inserted. In February of this year, guess what? more neck and arm pain. This time my C4-C5. So in again in April of this year for another disc replacement. Whilst all of these surgeries have eliminated the excruciating pain, I am constantly aching and have to have regular physiotherapy and massage. I know that it doesn't sound like these procedures have been successful but the pain I get now doesn't compare with the pain I was getting before surgery. I don't know if I have helped you but everybody copes differently. I have also had two lots of lumbar spinal surgery so I guess I am just used to it all.