Cervical Disc Surgery Problem C2/C3

[val989@alltel.net]

I have had 3 neck surgeries, but have had lots of problems since my last surgery. I recently learned that the doctor screwed c2 into c3 crooked where he was supposed to #1 wire them together and #2 do it straight. I keep getting told I should just live with the pain (facial, trigeminal, occipital neuralgias; vertigo, numbness and occasional parasthesia). I am told that to correct the problem would probably paralyze me. I am scared about living with the problem and I am scared about fixing the problem. I hurt constantly! Not knowing me, not having seen the x-rays (3 is wired to 4, 5-6-7 are fused together, he drilled into 4 and 5 to "make more room so the nerve would not get pinched" and now I have a compressed nerve root there), I am wandering your opinion on this. It has really been bothering me. Not just pain, but worrying "what if?" I don't think it would take much of a collision, fall, whatever, to make me paralyzed even by itself now.

Thanks for your time.

Valorie

[Dr. Joshua]

Hi, thank you for your question. You describe a complicated medical history regarding your cervical spine. To assess your situation would require an extensive analysis of your clinical condition, symptoms, surgery reports and radiology. I'm afraid I cannot offer you any specific advice on this, other than to seek a second opinion if you are not satisfied with the answers that your current doctor provides. Sorry I cannot help more, given the very limited information provided.