Prolapsed Disc In Neck

[naomi24]

I know little about this, but a friend is about to undergo surgery to fuse a seriously prolapsed disc in her neck. What will be the result? Will she be permanently disabled in any way?

[Sqad]

I hope the result will be the abolition of her symptoms....pain in neck and arm usually.

Permanently disabled.......she may not have the full range of neck movements, but this will be offset by the relief of pain....a price well worth paying.

There is a small chance, very small of neurological damage (nerve damage) which if present may well be permanent.

[LazyGun]

There is also a very real risk of permanent disability should the condition not be treated.

You and your friend might be interested in the following article, describing the personal experiences of someone who had an anterior cervical discetomy and fusion, published in the Daily Mail;

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-81406/Me-operation-prolapsed-neck-disc.html

[naomi24]

Thanks sqad. I had visions of her being unable to move her neck at all - a scary thought for such a vibrant, healthy, and active lady. (I think the nerve damage has already been done).

[naomi24]

LG, the condition has been on-going for several months. She's had injections in her back to relieve muscle spasm in her arm (which is numb)and her shoulder, and into the disc itself in the hope of reducing the severity of the prolapse (you do realise I don’t know what I’m talking about here – but I hope I’m making sense). She is on high doses of pain relief, but there has been no improvement whatsoever – so the next step, which her consultant has tried to avoid, is fusion. I really am worried for her.