Hey, Docs. I posted here a while ago about a brachial plexus/nerve injury. I had a follow-up cervical MRI a few weeks ago and the imaging showed a bone spur from degenerated discs at C5/C6 and C6/C7 were compressing the nerves there. It’s a little scary, I suppose but I’m at least pleased to finally know the cause of my right-sided strength loss.
The neurosurgeon recommended a month of traction to see if that mitigates symptoms but it really appears that surgical intervention is likely. He said if I did elect the surgical procedure, it would be a C5, C6 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with a C6, C7 total disc arthroplasty. I wish it was a two level disc replacement but the doc said there isn’t adequate space for the arthroplasty at C5, C6.
Never having experienced surgical care, I certainly have my reservations but I’m just not sure how to resolve this problem without it. And it has of course very much affected my training.
Question:
Do you know if those procedures done at those sites carry a significant risk of Adjacent Segment Disease? Is that something I should be terribly concerned about?
As always, thanks for everything you guys do. BBM has really helped me through this long ordeal.