I wasn't thinking right when I typed in hemorrhaged, meant herniated... It is the herniated portion of disc that is causing the nerve root compression. The foraminotomy is to get me relieved of the debilitating pain and muscle strength degradation caused by the pinched nerve without going as extreme an operation as a 3 level fusion. Although I may need to go that route years later in the future, now is not the right time in my life for that major an operation. At this point I really don't have the amount of insurance coverage needed or ability to take that long off from working without better short term disability coverage than I currently have. So the good doc is in agreement that the foraminotomy is the best choice at this time, and the minimally invasive procedure he performs with the arthroscopic type procedure will require the least amount of healing time. I don't anticipate a spondylolisthesis type problem, know I will be much more aware of what affects things I do will have on my cervical spine. (I am always really careful with my lower back) And I also plan on doing activities like canoeing/kayaking much more often to build more of a muscle base in that area for support, as I'm not really one who goes to the gym so I find activities like that to keep myself in shape somewhat. I just hope there is progress soon with all the insurance bullshit... I will feel so much better after it is at least scheduled.
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Originally Posted by ard
Did you get a second opinion?
I ask this for a few reasons- (first, this is not medical advice.)
You have a degradation of the cervical spine at several motions segments. (I've never heard of 'hemoraging discs'...discs have no blood supply.... wonder why you were told this.) But this degradation is leading to nerve root compression- the foraminotomy will just remove the bony processes that are- along with bulging discs or reduced disc height- compressing the nerve- but will not eliminate the structural issues. As this degradation progresses, you have things like instability, spondylolithesis (vertebral bodies not in alignment) that can occur ....which will mean fusion time.
Make sure you are getting a global assessment that balances the current symptoms, future possibilities and all the risks.
Good luck
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