I have a compression fracture C3 and a crush fracture C4/C5. the pain in my neck is unbearable. I find if I look up to say hand a light to my husband, next thing I know I am on the floor, dry retching. I have no recollection of hitting the floor Is it best to put replacement disks in C3/4 and C4/C5 or fuse my neck and have little or no free movement in my neck? PSHx disc replacement L4/5 and L5/S1, I was part of the trial of the procedure 14 years ago. I am Leidan Factor 5. Have had 6 DVT,s and X2 PEs. I also suffer from pheripheral neuropathy of both lower limbs, up to 5 cms past my knee caps. Currently I am taking arava [chemo drug] for auto immune arthritis and IVIG for Tx of neuropathy. The immunologist I am under does not know if it will work. Based on this I see myself as a Lab rat. Any thoughts???
Hi, thank you for providing the brief history of you. As you are having C 3 level compression fracture and C 4-5 crush fracture, you need a thorough clinical neurological assessment. If there are any neurological findings the MRI reports will be compared to the clinical neurological findings. Also, planning for the surgery will be totally clinically assessment induced. If there are cord compression which are leading to the weakness and paralysis of the limbs than the surgery can be planned. Also, replacement of the disc at these levels is little difficult and fusing the neck bone is also difficult since the bone already have a fracture too. In my clinical practice, such cases require a thorough clinical examination and a discussion with the panel of surgeons to reassess the prognosis of the condition. For the pain management there will be an option to try out depending upon the severity of the pain. Also, I will recommend you to take a complete neurological clinical assessment and post which the euro surgeon will have an opportunity to discuss further with colleagues to make a possible help towards you. RegardsJay In Chat Doctor. 