Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is A Facet Placement Surgery For Cervical Facet Syndrome Safe?
Question:
I had ADR surgery awhile back, at the C-5 thru C-7 Level. I was
recently diagnosed with cervical facet Syndrome. I was offered a fusion to eliminate the Facet issues, However they want to do the fusion c-4 to c-7 This time and leave the Replacemnet discs intact. Can a fusion be done that way? Leaving the the replacment discs in the c- spine ?
Thanks for Reading - XXXXXXX
I had ADR surgery awhile back, at the C-5 thru C-7 Level. I was
recently diagnosed with cervical facet Syndrome. I was offered a fusion to eliminate the Facet issues, However they want to do the fusion c-4 to c-7 This time and leave the Replacemnet discs intact. Can a fusion be done that way? Leaving the the replacment discs in the c- spine ?
Thanks for Reading - XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Depends on type of fusion.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question and I understand you have good reason for feeling confused.
Generally the performed procedure is anterior discectomy with fusion which means inserting a bone graft between the two vertebrae, not an artificial disc. The artificial disc is an alternative to this procedure rather then coexisting, so no it is not done.
However there is also the posterior fusion procedure (less frequently performed for your condition) which doesn't fuse the vertebral bodies but the vertebral laminae (part of the vertebral arch), so could coexist with the artificial discs between the bodies of the vertebrae. Of course I don't know if that is the case, just trying to guess what your surgeons are thinking. At the end you will have to discuss the details and the answer to your question with them.
I hope to have been of help.
Depends on type of fusion.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question and I understand you have good reason for feeling confused.
Generally the performed procedure is anterior discectomy with fusion which means inserting a bone graft between the two vertebrae, not an artificial disc. The artificial disc is an alternative to this procedure rather then coexisting, so no it is not done.
However there is also the posterior fusion procedure (less frequently performed for your condition) which doesn't fuse the vertebral bodies but the vertebral laminae (part of the vertebral arch), so could coexist with the artificial discs between the bodies of the vertebrae. Of course I don't know if that is the case, just trying to guess what your surgeons are thinking. At the end you will have to discuss the details and the answer to your question with them.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
c-5 to c-7 has the artifical discs,. They want to fuse those levels now and leave the discs intact. Does that make sense not to remove the discs and do the fusion
Brief Answer:
Not for anterior fusion.
Detailed Answer:
As I said for the common anterior fusion it doesn't make sense. There is either fusion through the bone graft or use of the artificial disc, can't have them both in the same space.
What I was suggesting is whether they might have intended a postero-lateral fusion meaning a fusion by placing the graft between the laminae or the facets of the vertebrae rather then the bodies of the vertebrae. The artificial disc lies between the bodies of the vertebrae so in that case technically it could be left there (although this kind of fusion would take away the supposed advantage of the artificial disc which is maintaining mobility).
If they meant a fusion of the vertebral bodies then as I said, no, it doesn't make sense. But now that you have taken back feedback from our community, you should discuss it again with your surgeon or the specialist who recommended the procedure expressing your doubt and learning what he/she meant exactly.
I hope my explanation was clear and didn't sound confusing. I remain at your disposal for further questions. (If you do not have any other question, you can close the query and rate the answer as you see fit).
Not for anterior fusion.
Detailed Answer:
As I said for the common anterior fusion it doesn't make sense. There is either fusion through the bone graft or use of the artificial disc, can't have them both in the same space.
What I was suggesting is whether they might have intended a postero-lateral fusion meaning a fusion by placing the graft between the laminae or the facets of the vertebrae rather then the bodies of the vertebrae. The artificial disc lies between the bodies of the vertebrae so in that case technically it could be left there (although this kind of fusion would take away the supposed advantage of the artificial disc which is maintaining mobility).
If they meant a fusion of the vertebral bodies then as I said, no, it doesn't make sense. But now that you have taken back feedback from our community, you should discuss it again with your surgeon or the specialist who recommended the procedure expressing your doubt and learning what he/she meant exactly.
I hope my explanation was clear and didn't sound confusing. I remain at your disposal for further questions. (If you do not have any other question, you can close the query and rate the answer as you see fit).
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Yes a posterior Fusion, from The back of the neck. C-5 to c-7 leaving the discs intact and fusing and the same levels Should the discs be removed or left intact, sorry I should have made that clearer
Brief Answer:
Yes, the artificial discs can stay.
Detailed Answer:
No worry, thank you for bringing that info.
In that case yes, they can be left where they are, there is no need to remove them.
Of course before going through with surgery I hope other conservative measures like intra-articular facet joint injections or nerve blocks have been tried first. Surgery usually is the last resort.
I hope things work out for the best.
Yes, the artificial discs can stay.
Detailed Answer:
No worry, thank you for bringing that info.
In that case yes, they can be left where they are, there is no need to remove them.
Of course before going through with surgery I hope other conservative measures like intra-articular facet joint injections or nerve blocks have been tried first. Surgery usually is the last resort.
I hope things work out for the best.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
