NECK SURGERY | Posterior Cervical Laminectomy - the day before PCDF PCLF

I'm sharing details of my journey through and after a posterior cervical laminectomy with fusion surgery on levels C3-C7. I've been diagnosed with spinal stenosis with myelopathy, and this surgery is the path forward in dealing with the issue. Also, I've included a few tips about what to take to the hospital with you.
I speak only of my personal experience. I am not a medical professional.
This is the first video on this playlist. Please be sure to see all of them as I document my progress with cervical spine surgery.

[@5wagoose55]

Diane, I want to thank you. I woke up one morning with no feelings in my hands. Quickly spread to my arms. My cervical spine had "Flattened" and I needed a posterior cervical laminectomy with fusion surgery on levels C2-T2 ASAP. Pretty frightening and life changing to hear. I am an Engineer and immediately began to research. I found your videos and you got me through it, I was able to prepare myself, what to expect from recovery, as well as preparing my home for my recovery. I am 8 weeks into my recovery. You gave my calm, insightful information. The information I really needed. I can't thank you enough. My surgeon commented that I seemed very well informed, so I shared your videos with him. You really have been a light for me throughout this. Thank you and i hope you are still doing well.

[@DianeMoore]

How's your recovery going at this point?

[@MrBenjaminrroy]

I now have had 2 cervical surgeries. My first was in the year 200 I have ACDF C5-C6. I just went through the same surgery as Diane PCDF C6-T1. I can say that the first surgery was far less pain and recovered with in 2 months. This one however was far more painful and recovery time is way longer (considering that this surgery was a lot more to do as they have to separate the flesh and muscles out of the way so they could get to the effected cervical bones.) having to ware the aspen collier for 4 more weeks than the ACDF surgery which was 2week post-op. I had the surgery on the 12 of May and I have had to revisit my surgeon 2 times for leakage from the surgical site which is an insigne about 6 inches closed with 34 staples, Today I had to return and have deep stiches to farther close the wound and have an negative pressure device to for lack of better words to suck the fluids that have been leaking. Having said that I feel that this surgery was more beneficial than the first one. I could tell tight away that my problems were solved after the surgery. My pain post-op has only been muscle pain, the neurologic pain I was having was excruciating to say the least and was gone. 9 day after the surgery that is still all I have, I feel no pain from the surgical site and I am very grateful for that. I can't wait to see how Diane is after her surgery. I pray that all is well and that she has a very speedy recovery.

[@barbaraheller3461]

This video was great and exactly what I’m feeling so it was so good to listen, especially aftercare.....👍👏🙏🏽

[@staceymorris35]

Hi Diane, Thank you for posting this! I tooooo turned 50 and have the exact things happen , I was told I was born with this . I will be having surgery July 19,2023

[@Sassygryl2011]

Thank you for documenting this! You’re right, there’s not much on posterior procedures. I am 3 weeks post op from cervical Laminoplasty

[@DianeMoore]

Hope your recovery is going well!

[@SelfHouse]

Thank you for your videos. My wife is about to go through this and your information of your experience is priceless!

[@DianeMoore]

So glad the videos are helpful to you both! It's scary to be on the waiting side of the surgery, but hopefully she'll really improve on the other side of it. Shoot me a message through here or join the posterior facebook group and leave a message there if I can answer any questions.

[@Mstmorning]

I'm having C3-C7 fused posteriorly next week and was extremely terrified until finding your videos. Thank you.😌🙏🏽❤️

[@DianeMoore]

Misty - I'm glad the videos helped you find some hope. God bless you as you go through the surgery... it's better to get it behind you so you can start the path of recovery!

[@loririsk]

I am going to have this procedure (hopefully soon). I had the anterior approach in January, and it's gone really well. Now we have to focus on the C5-C7 area. Thank you for documenting this. As you mentioned, there are not many videos regarding the posterior approach. I appreciate you. I hope you are still doing well. I have that exact brace. It's wonderful.

[@DianeMoore]

Glad the videos have helped - I just posted my 2 year update. Hope you can get the surgery behind you soon and start on the road to recovery.

[@bethschneidman4948]

thank you. My mom is having surgery may 10 (Posterior cervical laminectomy c3-c7 and instrumental fusion c3-T2). these videos are very reassuring and informative!

[@DianeMoore]

I'm glad they were helpful for you, Beth. Best wishes for your mom's successful surgery!

[@vanessaroberts9043]

Thank you for your vid ,im waiting to have posterior surgery myself fast tracked on C4 5 and 6 ,tips on what to take open tops ! didnt think of that!

[@DianeMoore]

Best wishes for much success in your surgery, Vanessa. I got fast tracked before my surgery too due to a big time increase in balance issues - you'll be grateful to be on the other side of it! :)

[@user-yj8nj1wc2o]

Fantastic videos. I have to face the same procedure with great apprehansion. I realize it is personal, but would you please tell me who your spinal surgeon was. Thank you. David Baum

[@DianeMoore]

Glad they've offered you some encouragement. Alas, my spinal surgeon retired shortly after my surgery.

[@chrisritter5091]

I’m having a laminectomy and fusion c2-c6 tomorrow. I had an acdf surgery almost 2 years ago. Thank u for the information

[@DianeMoore]

Glad it helped, Chris. HOpe the procedure went well!

[@chrisritter5091]

@@DianeMoore well I had a 3 level Acdf which is c3 to c6 in the front and c2 to c6 in the back. See how things go

[@chrisritter5091]

@@DianeMoore it did and I have to get an occipital nerve stimulator trail in a few weeks when I heal

[@savitashankar8575]

Thank you for sharing your journey. While am catching up on your other videos, you mentioned issues with balance. Could you please elaborate on those - were the falls related due to dizziness due to turning your neck in a certain way or a sensation of being pushed while walking. Alternatively was it your legs giving away while walking - my mother has been facing the same issues but she is unable to pinpoint the exact reason for her gait imbalance. (she too has a similar cervical prognosis on her report). Thank you.

[@DianeMoore]

Hello. No dizziness at all. All due to the spinal compression in my story. It didn't really feel like being pushed... it eventually became that I couldn't walk with any surety that could keep standing. It's just an odd thing that you can revert to being a like a toddler and lose the ability to stay upright when moving. I also experienced what you might see listed as "robot legs" on some sites... that especially when moving from a sitting to standing position, the first few steps felt like I had to take a really wide stance and not really straighten my legs. It all just feels so odd when it starts happening out of the blue. Hope this helps.

[@savitashankar8575]

Thank you so much Diane for letting me know. This really helps to get a clearer understanding - being the sole caregiver for my mom has made me anxious and hyper-vigilant all the time. Once again, thanks a ton and it was gratifying to watch your recovery - all the vlogs were super helpful. Take care, savita

[@romwellsabeniano4278]

How are you after the surgery? Very informative and inspiring video. Thanks for the video. My surgery is on July 1. Similar to your situation. I’m subscribing with your channel.

[@DianeMoorePA]

Hello! I'm doing pretty well. It's a long, painful road but the surgery has really helped me overall. Totally worth it. Best wishes for your surgery! There's a PCDF Facebook group (I think I refer to it in my latest video) that I've found to be really helpful. If you haven't yet joined, I encourage you to do so.

[@jamescates1606]

Diane Moore I hope you’re doing well!

[@barbaraheller3461]

@@DianeMoorePA I did attempt to join the pcdf FB page but it is still pending, does it take a few days...I only signed up yesterday...

[@juanitawilson9983]

How long is your scar

[@sharadsaluja]

Hi . Which collars do you suggest after PCDF of c2-c5? Is the one you're wearing in this video , a hard one? Currently we are advised a hard one till about 4 weeks from surgery which was just last week

[@DianeMoore]

My surgeon only had me wear a hard collar prior to the surgery. He is in the camp believing that you strengthen more without one afterwards - not all surgeons agree on that. I wore one home after the surgery and when in a car for the first couple of weeks, and then wore a soft collar on occasion when I just wanted the support.

[@sharadsaluja]

@@DianeMoore my father had this surgery in India, and the surgeon says it's very important to keep wearing a hard collar till about 6 weeks from surgery and a soft collar for another 6 weeks. Any twisting or jerk during the first 6 weeks could be catastrophic if it cause nerve injury, as per the surgeon. I don't know if this is an overkill.

[@sharadsaluja]

Moreover , my father (now aged 70) had 10 screws / bolts put in c2-5 due to pre fractured C2 since the age of 10 or 12. So it was a complex but successful surgery.

[@963ag]

Hello! I commented on your other video regarding your 3- month follow- up. I am having a multilevel laminectomy without fusion at C3- C5. I want to know more about recovery afterwards... How long will it take for me do be able to do all of my daily activities? I ask because I live alone and will be having a CNA / provider helping only for a short period. I am 57 and still pretty active. Right now, my only symptoms are hand weakness, neck stiffness, and some reflex tests that weren't up to par. My diagnosis is cervical stenosis with myelopathy.

[@DianeMoore]

Hi Annette - well everyone is different, and I'm not sure about how the "without fusion" aspect would affect things. I live alone as well and had to have someone stay with me for about the first week. After that point, I could do many things, but many friends were very gracious to bring meals, help with cleaning, etc. so that was a huge help. Just expect to be super tired for awhile. Sounds like your symptoms aren't exceedingly advanced, so that will probably be a positive on the other side of the surgery. Hope the surgery goes flawlessly for you, Annette!

[@alvinrojas5331]

Hi did you have the surgery? How are your symptoms now? How is your neck pain level now. I have the same symptoms and diagnosis as you, and will be going in for a laminectomy with fusion in a couple of weeks.

[@alvinrojas5331]

Hi did you have the surgery? How are your symptoms now? How is your neck pain level now. I have the same symptoms and diagnosis as you, and will be going in for a laminectomy with fusion in a couple of weeks.

[@alvinrojas5331]

@963ag Hi did you have the surgery? How are your symptoms now? How is your neck pain level now. I have the same symptoms and diagnosis as you, and will be going in for a laminectomy with fusion in a couple of weeks.

[@963ag]

@@alvinrojas5331 I never did have the surgery, because of the reasons mentioned ( mainly issues with aftercare.) My more severe to moderate symptoms are pretty much stabilized, and overall they fluctuate widely, I have successfully done physical therapy. I have also went for a second and even third opinion, and those doctors ( neurologist and orthopedic surgeon) said I don't have myelopathy! I do also have degenerative disc disease, though.

[@pamelahancock5679]

Hi I was hoping.you could help me regarding c1 and c2.cervical.neck fusion 1 yr ago I had the surgery I am.70.female.cant move my neck and still in pain.cant see.my surgeon only a.nurse practionar. Need answers thanks

[@DianeMoore]

Hi Pamela - I'm sorry about the pain. I think you should see whomever can see you in the surgeon's office.

[@shakeervaniyoor3382]

Can i drive after cervical laminectomy

[@DianeMoore]

I would think you will be after a few weeks. Your doc will be the one to clear you for it.