I'm considering getting the 4 vertebra in my neck (C3-C6) that have crapped out on me fused. Anyone had it? If so, how satisfied are you with it? How limited is your range of motion now?

I know a 73 year old who has spinal fusion. He had it done in the late 1980's, from a serious fall onto his ass, I think, and in the 2000's he had terrible pain from nerve endings growing wrong or some such thing, in the fused area. He also stupidly tried to do crunches and regular health club exercise (against my advice!) and it resulted in stretching out all the tissues in his fused region, which caused even more serious pain. He has had the nerve ending destroyed with sonic or electric treatments which help for about 6 months.

I don't think the fused region heals properly when it gets re-damaged later on, but I know he did get a few more good years out of his back. I will ask him more details later today.

I'm 27. And I'm specifically interested in cervical spinal fusion as opposed to lumbar, but if you want to volunteer information about your friend, I guess I won't look a gift horse in the mouth.

http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56904
http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=32757
http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=58112

You probably found these already and I know some are for the back as well, but maybe the stories can help?

http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56904
http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=32757
http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=58112

You probably found these already and I know some are for the back as well, but maybe the stories can help?Yeah, I looked around, but couldn't find anything recent. Thought I'd see if anyone had ended up doing it. I'm on track for a series of epidural injections, same as Erik, but I am willing to at least consider surgery if it will get me back to "normal." I suspect not, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

An ex girlfriend of mine had to get 2 vertebrae fused as the result of a hit-and-run accident. She has a permanent scar on the front of her neck as a result, but she seemed really satisfied with the results and never seemed to have any mobility issues afterward. Granted, it's not as drastic as getting 4 fused, so ymmv