Posted 12/18/2010 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
finallyreallycrazy
The main difference is in a deskectomy they only remove the disk, and then fuse the two vertebra ( the one above and below the removed disk) together. With a Corpectomy they remove at least two disk and then they also remove the vertebra between the two disk, and then they fuse that entire space together. It is a much more dangerous and complicated surgery. I found a really good explanation of the procedure at. The web site. spine-health.com look up Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Spine Surgery. This is a much more extensive surgery than a regular ACDF Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion. They also mention that if a multilevel fusion is done then the surgeon might also do a supplemental posterior fusion and instrumentation to help stabilize the spine. Which definitely maked the recovery more difficult a longer. I just had a posterior fusion of the articular joints at C-3/4 and there is no comparison to that of an ACDF, the posterior fusion is definitely more painful and a much longer and difficult recovery! Anyway I gather that this is how he wants to fix your problem with the crushed disks. From the sounds of it there is very little choice if your vertebra is that bad and crushed, that is probably the only option. I think the thing to remember and keep reminding yourself that this is a very difficult surgery and the recovery will be longer and much more difficult! If you do that then I am sure that it will be easier for you handle. I did not believe when my doctor when he explained that to me, and I found my recovery from my last surgery a real surprise and definitely more difficult! I had unreasonable expectations about my recovery and that just made it that much harder!
Good Luck to You!
White Beard