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  • Broken neck

    I just realized I had not been on this site for a long time. I was involved in a major car accident in September. I now know what happens when your car is forced into a brick wall.
    Every upper layer of my spine between the fusions broke. All fusions held. I am now fused , C 5 through the pelvis and anterior c4- thru c7.
    I don't even know how I lived through the accident. There is more but another time.
    Hi to all.
    T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
    C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
    T2--T10 fusion 2/11
    C 4-5 fusion 11/14
    Right scapulectomy 6/15
    Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
    To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
    Broken neck 9/28/2018
    Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
    Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
    Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
    Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
    Osteotomy

  • #2
    Jackie, Its been a little.... are you doing ok? How is the neck doing after 10 months?

    Also, how is the arachnoiditis management coming?.....Have there been any new developments as far as pain control is concerned?

    The folks at Cleveland Clinic are aware, and have done a spinal cord stim trial....some info below from Dr Bolash... Pain management specialist

    https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.or...pe-for-relief/

    Ed
    49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
    Pre surgery curves T70,L70
    ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
    Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

    Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

    My x-rays
    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

    http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

    Comment


    • #3
      Broken neck

      Hi Ed,
      It has been a very long ordeal. The accident was September 29 2018 . I really can't tell you everything because I have not asked. The trauma was so huge , I just can't deal with it all. I am sure that c7 was broken bilateral. The first surgery was on Sunday morning, hardware was placed C5, 6and 7 with rods hooking to my scoliosis rods. Two large blood clots were removed from the epidural layer of the spinal cord.
      Unfortunately I pulled the rod out of the thoracic and at 6 weeks ,I was put back in the hospital on an emergency as surgery was repeated but he added more screws at t2. This time it held and I can hold my head up.All of this was pain manager on Tylenol. I don't know how I made it.
      Recovery is huge. Fast forward , I knew something was wrong with my right arm and shoulder as it will not stay up. After several tests it was decided it isn't my shoulder or cervical nerve, it is the scapula. It is the same problem as before but now the only fix is a scapulothorasic fusion. The transferred muscle either tore or stretched. Next week I have a 3d CT scan. Then we begin to make more plans. I have seen 3 specialist and all said the same thing.
      The arachnoiditis is being treated with an implanted pump. It is better sometimes. I was told no SCS because of the fusion. Now I have the chance of developing the arachnoiditis in the cervical because of blood in the epidural layer.
      The scapula fusion is risky and painful. I am still thinking about it.
      Thank you for asking
      T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
      C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
      T2--T10 fusion 2/11
      C 4-5 fusion 11/14
      Right scapulectomy 6/15
      Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
      To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
      Broken neck 9/28/2018
      Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
      Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
      Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
      Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
      Osteotomy

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by jackieg412 View Post
        Hi Ed,
        It has been a very long ordeal.
        Wow Jackie...your not kidding.

        You had hardware installed and recovered on Tylenol.... (I just have to repeat this a few times) That pain must have been unbelievable! Sleeping must have been quite a challenge. I am hoping your neck has improved some by now....It seems like the screws pulled out of your upper thoracic when the seat belt restrained your torso upon hitting the wall. I cant help but wonder about the air bag??? Did it deploy?

        I have wondered about SCS (paddle placement limitations, or difficulties) with fusion and I see you now have a pump. I hope its been helping some...

        I thought you were over the scapula issues...and I see that's a continuing problem. I am so sorry about this, this has been quite a battle for you. Were there any answers on why the shoulder problems started from the very beginning? I remember when they removed the right rod in your upper thoracic, I guess that really wasn't the source of the scapula problem?

        Let us know what you decide. Below I added this procedure to try to understand. Is this what they are talking about? Screwing the scapula to your ribs? (fig 21-6)
        https://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/section/879

        Ed
        49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
        Pre surgery curves T70,L70
        ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
        Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

        Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

        My x-rays
        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

        http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

        Comment


        • #5
          Oh Jackie! Wow, what a survival story and all on Tylenol!
          I hope that you can find an acceptable quality of life and that "fixes" do not add more problems.
          You are due Good Karma.
          Thinking of you,
          Susan
          Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis

          2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
          2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
          2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
          2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
          2018: Removal L4,5 screw
          2021: Removal T1 screw & rod

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi friends

            Yes I did that broken neck on Tylenol. I react to medication with extreme vomiting and because I couldn't get up, it was decided it was too big of a risk. We used gabapentin and muscle relaxers. After the 5 th day of being awake both night and day I ask for benadryl. I was given melatonin. It wasn't a pretty site for sure.
            I pulled the rod out in rehab by pushing myself up in bed. Don't ever do that. For the first 8 weeks to get out of extreme pain I had to pay down. Or I couldn't even breathe. It has left a lasting impression.
            When the hardware was redone on my 6 week check up,, catamine was used. I felt peaceful at last. I only stayed 2 days in the hospital but it was better right away.
            I'm not sure if the extreme pain in my right arm was the break or the fact the Neurosurgeon had to repair that nerve leading to the arm. I was told it was partially severed. No fun.
            At least 2 air bags deployed, the break away front end shattered. I was grabbed hard enough by the seat belt it pushed the pump further into me on an angle. It is harder to fill now.
            I am better but the very high screws are painful. Now I have to try to keep that arm up and wear a sling at times to keep the shoulder up and back.The original scapula problem was it was stuck on the right rib deformity. Dr thinks the muscle transfer tore or stretched in this auto accident. It is my right arm and I was the driver.
            Not sure other then the 3d scan what's next. The scapulothorasic fusion is a risky surgery with the right lung needing to be collapsed.Then 3 months without movement in that shoulder. It isn't even a year yet. The second posterior cervical fusion was Nov 14.
            Ed I had partial hardware removed on the other side.
            Those 2 blood clots in the spinal cord had to be cared for also. All and all it is improving slowly.
            I had been discussing the paddle spinal cord stimulator, the Dr would have come in higher but this cervical fusion takes that out of the picture.
            The meds in the pump are clonidine and bupivicaine. No narcotics as I can't tolerate them. It helps some.
            T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
            C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
            T2--T10 fusion 2/11
            C 4-5 fusion 11/14
            Right scapulectomy 6/15
            Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
            To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
            Broken neck 9/28/2018
            Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
            Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
            Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
            Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
            Osteotomy

            Comment


            • #7
              Jackie,
              Hoping that you find some peace with your pain and disability. I think that both of us are the biggest nightmares of anyone considering spinal cord surgery. I continue to try to have a reasonable quality of life. It is a daily struggle. Today, my R leg went numb and walking was a challenge. What next, I say to myself. Do you live anywhere near Oregon or Washington? Send me PM.
              Hugs,
              Susan
              I had Ketamine after my first 2 surgeries. Amazing stuff.
              Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis

              2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
              2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
              2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
              2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
              2018: Removal L4,5 screw
              2021: Removal T1 screw & rod

              Comment

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