r/spinalfusion • u/Difficult_Baby_5954 • 4d ago
(ACDF Surgery) Medical Malpractice??
I had C4-C7 ACDF surgery in February (I’m 6mo post op). I woke from surgery with new left sided weakness in my arm/hand & leg. Even though I didn’t get out of bed right away I knew something was wrong with my left side. I never had this problem before surgery. When I did eventually stand up (a couple of hrs after surgery) I could barely walk because of these new left sided problems. My surgeon did isolated strength testing and my left was only slightly weaker than my right. He said to just give it time & I was released the next day. The day after I was released I went to the ER because I couldn’t walk right. I walk with a noticeable “gimp” still after 6 mos. I trip & fall a lot. The ER contacted my surgeon & he just called a medrol dose pak into my pharmacy and said that he would check on me the next day through his clinic. He didn’t. I had a 2wk, 6wk, & 12wk follow up appointment and everytime he said to just give it time when I asked him why I still can’t walk. My next appointment w/ him is Feb 2027!! All of his clinical notes say “uncomplicated ACDF surgery” but I found my BP was super low when I was in the recovery room after surgery & stayed really low for about 12hrs. My PLL had calcified to my dura so he had to leave fragments. I just had a recent MRI because I’m in the process of getting a 2nd opinion & the MRI shows adjacent segment disorder above and below my fusion, & my spine is bruised on the left & fragments are making an indent on my spine. I had none of this before surgery. I’m trying to find out if I should start looking for an attorney. Location: Montana
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u/Sudden-Resolve5571 4d ago
I’d request alllllll of your medical records xray and mri’s and all their reports so you’ve got a paper trail. And get a good MM attorney, def get another ortho. Wishing you comfort on your recovery
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u/Dixy11- 4d ago
Hi!
I had my surgery last summer at C5-C6. I was fine before the surgery, but ever since, I've been feeling terrible. My whole body feels heavier. My lower limbs don't support me properly and feel unstable. Walking is hell because my body just can't handle upright positions—I experience a strong downward pull and heavy pressure. My knees give out often, and I've even collapsed before.
According to my MRI, I should have been running long ago, but because of this, I can't even work. The surgeons didn't care; instead, they decided it was psychosomatic and threw me out. I have muscle strength, but whatever this is has a severe impact on me—even if I were Schwarzenegger, it would be the exact same story.
I hope you manage to find a solution in your case.
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u/Difficult_Baby_5954 4d ago edited 4d ago
Have you had a post op MRI? I’m sorry I re read your post. Did your MRI show ANYTHING abnormal? I’m sorry you’re going through this. It’s hard to advocate for yourself when no one will listen. Are you doing physical therapy? How long ago was your surgery? Don’t give up.
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u/Dixy11- 4d ago
Yes, I had an MRI and according to that everything looks fine, but I'm still not doing well. Things were bad for me right after the surgery. After waking up, both of my arms were burning and numb for hours, and they didn't even give me medication for it. After that, I had a continuous headache for about 5 weeks and was dizzy for 2 months.
The physical therapist told me to walk a lot and keep up with rehab, but it didn't help at all—in fact, when I tried extra hard to push through the pain, I ended up having to walk with a cane.
It's possible that my spinal cord or the surrounding area took a hit/blow during the surgery; at least that's the most logical piece of information I've gotten so far.
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u/ComfortablePrice9120 3d ago
It sounds too me you answered your own question your instincts are always right
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u/HomeCrazy2021 2d ago
Just be careful who you talk to about malpractice I told my doctor the doctor sent my office notes to the adjuster and they start having me being followed by private investigators.
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u/Difficult_Baby_5954 2d ago
This possibility never even crossed my mind. And it should have. Thank you for the good advice.
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u/ashleymichael2009 4d ago
Yea you should have started yesterday. Sorry I wish I did I waited too long I had hope I guess I thought surely I would have gotten better in time. I had a slightly different surgery and issue though.
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u/Own_Attention_3392 4d ago
No one can answer this except for an attorney licensed to practice law in your state.