Has anyone out there had spinal disc fusion surgery in the cervical (neck) spine?
I am interested in any experiences of what is known as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
I have a distorted disc that is pressing on my spinal cord and a major nerve that radiates down my left arm. It was revealed by MRI after some mild but persistent pain and minor arm and hand numbness earlier in the year. It was more of a nuisance than anything; certainly not debilitating or anything that stopped my normal, relatively intense, exercise regime and had no negative impact on recent lengthy travel
.
Gradually the symptoms disappeared naturally but I saw an orthopedic surgeon last week who is recommending the above procedure. It is claimed to be quite common and routine.
Now that the symptoms have gone, I'm torn as to whether to get it done or wait to see if the symptoms come back. The thought of messing about with the spine is inherently unappealing, but that is merely a reactive response. The evidence is what always decides things for me.
The concern appears to be that the weakened disc makes for a point of vulnerability in the neck such that trauma such as whiplash could have worse consequences than otherwise would be the case.