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Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
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#1
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
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Disc fusion How has it affected you? ON TOPIC
On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:34:11 -0700, "Richard W."
wrote: I need so information from anyone who has had a disc fused in their neck. I am facing that right now and I don't know what to expect after it's done. I would like to know how the surgery has affected your ability to work in a machine shop? Richard W. First, if you want to go to a chiropractor, get a go-ahead from a real doctor. That will include an MRI. I had some paralysis in my left arm and had experienced a constant headache for 6 months. MRI showed a broken vertebra and bone spurs inside the spinal column crowding the spinal cord. Also, some type of growth, originally thought to be a cyst. So, some yanking and cranking by a chiropractor could have resulted in paralysis. My little one hour procedure by a neuro surgeon ended up being a 7 hour marathon with extra surgeons being called in. Growth turned out to be a tumor pressing on the carotid artery. Removed three discs and reamed out the spinal canal, installed a titanium plate with screws and ground up cadaver bone. Wore a magnetic bone growth stimulator collar 4 hours a day for 6 months. Pros: full use of my arm, no more headaches. Cons: restricted movement side to side (45 degrees total, some trouble driving like checking traffic at intersections), almost no vertical motion (sitting in a recliner, I'm looking at the ceiling. trying to force it down results in cutting off my air) Probably the worst is the lack of cushioning in my neck. Riding in a golf car (or motorcycle) is near impossible. You do not want to bump your head. With all that, I would do it again. It is great to be free of the pain and a relief to know that unknown ax is no longer hanging over me. |
#2
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
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Disc fusion How has it affected you? ON TOPIC
wrote in message ... On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:34:11 -0700, "Richard W." wrote: I need so information from anyone who has had a disc fused in their neck. I am facing that right now and I don't know what to expect after it's done. I would like to know how the surgery has affected your ability to work in a machine shop? Richard W. First, if you want to go to a chiropractor, get a go-ahead from a real doctor. That will include an MRI. I had some paralysis in my left arm and had experienced a constant headache for 6 months. MRI showed a broken vertebra and bone spurs inside the spinal column crowding the spinal cord. Also, some type of growth, originally thought to be a cyst. So, some yanking and cranking by a chiropractor could have resulted in paralysis. My little one hour procedure by a neuro surgeon ended up being a 7 hour marathon with extra surgeons being called in. Growth turned out to be a tumor pressing on the carotid artery. Removed three discs and reamed out the spinal canal, installed a titanium plate with screws and ground up cadaver bone. Wore a magnetic bone growth stimulator collar 4 hours a day for 6 months. Pros: full use of my arm, no more headaches. Cons: restricted movement side to side (45 degrees total, some trouble driving like checking traffic at intersections), almost no vertical motion (sitting in a recliner, I'm looking at the ceiling. trying to force it down results in cutting off my air) Probably the worst is the lack of cushioning in my neck. Riding in a golf car (or motorcycle) is near impossible. You do not want to bump your head. With all that, I would do it again. It is great to be free of the pain and a relief to know that unknown ax is no longer hanging over me. It started out as a tight muscle between my shoulder blades, but more to the left side. Since I have seen chiropractors for about 30 years. That was where I went first. One adjustment and I was in more pain when I left than when I came in. 2 more visit's for therapy and massage. Felt good for about 3 hours and then the pain was back worse than before. That was when I went to my doctor. He said it was out of his area. He sent me to a sports injury doctor. He ordered x-ray and didn't see anything. Then ordered an MRI. Once he had seen the MRI, he said I was out of his specialty and sent me to a brain and spine doctor. That's where I am at now. The replacement disc that I wanted would have left me with as good or better neck movement and I could have returned to work in a week or two. My insurance called the disc replacement "experimental" and denied the procedure. Even though it's been done successfully for 16 Years. They will pay for fusing which would cause the loss of movement. How much I don't know, but I am worried that I won't be able to do my job. Richard W. |
#3
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
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Disc fusion How has it affected you? ON TOPIC
On Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:17:44 -0700, "Richard W."
wrote: wrote in message .. . On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:34:11 -0700, "Richard W." wrote: I need so information from anyone who has had a disc fused in their neck. I am facing that right now and I don't know what to expect after it's done. I would like to know how the surgery has affected your ability to work in a machine shop? Richard W. First, if you want to go to a chiropractor, get a go-ahead from a real doctor. That will include an MRI. I had some paralysis in my left arm and had experienced a constant headache for 6 months. MRI showed a broken vertebra and bone spurs inside the spinal column crowding the spinal cord. Also, some type of growth, originally thought to be a cyst. So, some yanking and cranking by a chiropractor could have resulted in paralysis. My little one hour procedure by a neuro surgeon ended up being a 7 hour marathon with extra surgeons being called in. Growth turned out to be a tumor pressing on the carotid artery. Removed three discs and reamed out the spinal canal, installed a titanium plate with screws and ground up cadaver bone. Wore a magnetic bone growth stimulator collar 4 hours a day for 6 months. Pros: full use of my arm, no more headaches. Cons: restricted movement side to side (45 degrees total, some trouble driving like checking traffic at intersections), almost no vertical motion (sitting in a recliner, I'm looking at the ceiling. trying to force it down results in cutting off my air) Probably the worst is the lack of cushioning in my neck. Riding in a golf car (or motorcycle) is near impossible. You do not want to bump your head. With all that, I would do it again. It is great to be free of the pain and a relief to know that unknown ax is no longer hanging over me. It started out as a tight muscle between my shoulder blades, but more to the left side. Since I have seen chiropractors for about 30 years. That was where I went first. One adjustment and I was in more pain when I left than when I came in. 2 more visit's for therapy and massage. Felt good for about 3 hours and then the pain was back worse than before. That was when I went to my doctor. He said it was out of his area. He sent me to a sports injury doctor. He ordered x-ray and didn't see anything. Then ordered an MRI. Once he had seen the MRI, he said I was out of his specialty and sent me to a brain and spine doctor. That's where I am at now. The replacement disc that I wanted would have left me with as good or better neck movement and I could have returned to work in a week or two. My insurance called the disc replacement "experimental" and denied the procedure. Even though it's been done successfully for 16 Years. They will pay for fusing which would cause the loss of movement. How much I don't know, but I am worried that I won't be able to do my job. Richard W. In practical terms here are my limitations: I can't see to put a pen in my shirt pocket and I don't change overhead light bulbs. Most tipping of my head is at the waist. Other improvements: I'm a half inch taller and lost my double chin. |
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