Feb 2009 surgery:
Treatments tried before surgery: PT, rest, ice, heat, massage, injections, different kinds of pain medicines, muscle relaxers, nerve blockers, exercise, weight loss
Diagnosis: Herniated disc at C5/C6
Levels: 1 C5/C6
Hospital stay: 2 nights
Dr.: orthopedic surgeon with spine fellowship, Dr. Ramin Rabbini
Allograft
Tests: X-ray, MRI, pre-surgical blood work, EKG
Hospital: Miracle Mile Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Food: 2 out of 5 stars
Nurses: honestly depended on the nurse, as a whole not a friendly staff
Incision: right side of neck in neck crease
Hardware: Titanium plate and four screws.
Neck brace: Aspen collar worn for 6 weeks, except when showering
Stitches: Steri-strips
Trouble swallowing: yes, for about 2 weeks with flare ups still (coughing fits)
Voice change: yes, permanent
Follow up appointment: 6 weeks
Physical therapy recommended: yes, 6 more weeks
Loss of mobility in the neck: yes, harder to turn head to the left than before the surgery
Reduction in pain:
Day 1: arm pain gone, pain at surgery site, pain in neck reduced
Week 1: arm pain still gone, pain still at surgery site but less, pain in neck reduced
Month 1: pain in neck reduced more, pain still at surgery site
Six weeks: pain in neck reduced more, but not totally gone
Pain medications: Norco, Cyclobenzaprine
May 2013 surgery:
Treatments tried before surgery: PT, rest, ice, heat, massage, injections, different kinds of pain medicines, muscle relaxers, nerve blockers, exercise, weight loss and previous surgery
Diagnosis: herniated disc at C6/C7, additional bulge at C3/C4, degenerative disc disea
Levels: 1 C6/C7
Hospital stay: 2 nights
Dr.: orthopedic surgeon with spine fellowship, Dr. Andrew Parkinson
Autograft
Tests: X-ray, MRI, pre-surgical blood work, EKG
Hospital: Oklahoma spine hospital
Food: 4.5 out of 5 stars (for hospital food this place is great!)
Nurses: great staff all around....they were always there when I needed them
Incision: left side of neck in neck crease
Hardware: Titanium plate, four screws, spacer. Removed previous hardware.
Neck brace: Soft collar worn for 6 weeks, except when showering
Stitches: Steri-strips
Trouble swallowing: yes, for about 2 weeks with flare ups still (coughing fits)
Voice change: no additional change
Follow up appointment: 6 weeks
Physical therapy recommended: No
Loss of mobility in the neck: yes, harder to turn head to the left than before the surgery
Reduction in pain:
Day 1: arm pain gone, pain at surgery site, pain in neck reduced
Week 1: arm pain still gone, pain still at surgery site but less, pain in neck reduced
Month 1: pain in neck reduced more, pain still at surgery site
Six weeks: pain in neck reduced more, but not totally gone
Pain medications: Norco, Cyclobenzaprine
