How bad is neck surgery at c-4 and c-5?!

Have to disagree with Gramma - aside from a cervical fusion, (C5//6/7), I've also had 2 lumbar fusions as well (L3-S1). You do not want a bone doctor messing around with the type of problem you have, especially when cervical nerves and your spinal cord are at issue. Neurosurgeons are typically eithere spinal or brain specialists, and in some cases both. Spinal surgery is what they specialize in; bone doctors deal with bones, not nerves. There are statistically more screwups by Orthopedic surgeons dealing with spinal issues than there are Neurosurgeons.

I also take issue that it's not that bad - it might not have been bad for her, but there is no such thing as "easy" when it comes to spinal surgery of any type. Even with the problems I have, (and I'll need more in the future), and though I've been lucky, I nearly lost the use of my left arm due to an Ortho's incompetence and misdiagnosis. In short, he told me all I had was a muscle problem in my arm (lest you think he was an idiot, he was one of the top surgeons in the D.C. area). It was correctly diagnosed by a Neurosurgeon as being 2 flattened disks in my cervical spine that required immediate surgery - I lost my breath when I first saw the MRI's (which I'm no stranger to). He didn't even need the MRI's - he told me what the problem was when he took one look at me.

Keep in mind also that your regular doctor wouldn't have referred you to a Neurosurgeon if he thought an Ortho was better, which they aren't. The key is to find a good one though, like any doctor. Since you're seeing a Neuro at Ohio State, you should be pretty well off; surgeons at teaching hospitals are typically on the cutting edge of medicine and are no dummies.

First, they won't remove the vertebrae - you can't survive like that. They'll remove the bone fragment, and if necessary fuse the vertebrae, and evacuate any tissue that could further impinge the spinal cord or affected cervical nerves. If they do any fusions, they'll need to harvest bone as well; your surgeon will discuss that with you prior to surgery if it's needed. The options are typically bone harvest from your pelvic bone, or the use of cadaver bone. Always choose bone from your own body; I had that option, and aside from the sheer creepiness of having dead guy parts in me, I was also concerned with HIV transmission. Back then, they didn't think it was possible, but they've since found out otherwise.

Depending on how much is required to solve the problem, you can typically expect a few weeks of recovery, a bit longer if they harvest bone from your hip, which actually hurts more than the cervical operation. I've built up a pretty large video and game collection over the years to keep me occupied during recovery time.

They'll likely give you some Percocet and Flexeril for the pain and muscle spasms. Flexeril can knock you out, but it's worth it.

My point is that I've been close to where you are now several times, though not as paralyzed overall each time. Nerve specialists deal with this type of problem daily, and even though there is never any 100% guarantee of success, it comes down to a quality of life decision. You want someone who is a specialist in the spinal system, and that's not an Ortho. Give yourself the best possible chance for success.

One thing you'll notice is that if they're successful, you'll start regaining feeling again within a few hours. Before my first operation, I had lost all use of my arm, and my fingers were numb up to the first knuckles. Within a couple of hours after surgery, it was like I had a new arm again.

If you want any input on preparations prior to surgery, feel free to message me either here or at the link on my bio page.

See Bio.

I had 2 discs replaced at c-4 and c-5. C-6 was also damaged but not as bad as the other 2 and the doctor would not do more than 2 at a time. The doc had to use donor bone for me because I have osteoporosis. I was painful at first and for a while but I'm glad that I had it done. Be sure to see a Orthopedic surgeon and not a neurosurgeon!

My best advice is; ask your doctors to explain this to you in layman's terms, which they will only be too happy to do. Don't be afraid of the pain, these don't last long and besides, doctors prime concern is that we don't needlessly suffer pains, especially after the major surgery. All the best wishes.