Hi there, I have longstanding RA with multiple joint replacements.
I am advised that i need a posterior cervical fusion - possibly as much as C2 to C6. I am very concerned about what this will mean afterwards in terms of neck function (especially as I have limited shoulder movement) and would very much appreciate hearing from someone who has had this in the last few years. Please drop me a line if you can help.
Many thanks,
Periwinkle
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I have a friend with RA who has had some work done on her neck but I'm not sure what. I'll ask her. I know she gets headaches if she overdoes things and I think she finds looking up for any length of time difficult - and she does a lot of that as she's in a wheelchair. I remember she said the surgeon told her that the aim was not to make things better but to stop them getting worse. I should probably have had something done myself years ago as I'm an anaesthetist's nightmare.
Have you tried the Arthritis Care search engine for past threads on it? (Very small tab near the right of the pale blue menu.)
We have had a couple of people on here that have had fusions on there necks..so if you use the search button at the top of the forum hopefully some info will come up..neck can be so painful I have OA in mine so exercise it regular...I hope you can get some relief soon...
Barbara
Recovery was not bad at all, they get you mobile very quickly and this helps with everything. General anaesthetics are out for me now, but I did have very severe damage.
If you have any questions I will be more than pleased to try and help, bearing in mind we are all different of course.
Take care and good luck, xx
Thanks for your messages and kind thoughts. I have searched the forum as well - If anyone knows of anyone else who might have gone through same thing in last few years do let me know. Also does anyone have any neck surgeons they could recommend for a second opinion as I want to feel completely confident about going ahead with it all?
Periwinkle
Hi Mermaid,
Thanks for your message. It would be really great if you happened to know the name of the surgeon in Cambridge. Many thanks,
Periwinkle
Hello Periwinkle,
Have PM'd you the info. Hope it helps:-) xxx