What is congenital fusion of the spine?
What is congenital fusion of the spine?
Klippel-Feil syndrome is a bone disorder characterized by the abnormal joining (fusion ) of two or more spinal bones in the neck (cervical vertebrae). The vertebral fusion is present from birth.
What nerves are affected by C6 and C7?
From the lateral cord, C5, C6, and C7 supply the pectoralis major and minor muscles, via the lateral and medial pectoral nerves, as well as the coracobrachialis, brachialis and biceps brachii, via the musculocutaneous nerve. The musculocutaneous nerve provides sensation to the skin of the lateral forearm.
What does C6 and C7 control?
The C6-C7 disc is 6th cervical disc near the lower part of the neck, near the top of the shoulders. The nerve root that would be affected by the C6-C7 disc herniation controls the arms, the shoulders, the heart, the lungs, and more. As with any other herniated disc, a C6-C7 herniation is very painful and uncomfortable.
What happens after C6/C7 surgery?
After surgery, you can expect your neck to feel stiff and sore. This should improve in the weeks after surgery. You may have trouble sitting or standing in one position for very long and may need pain medicine in the weeks after your surgery. You may need to wear a neck brace for a while.
What is a fused vertebrae in neck?
Cervical spinal fusion (arthrodesis) is a surgery that joins selected bones in the neck (cervical spine). There are different methods of doing a cervical spinal fusion: Bone can be taken from elsewhere in your body or obtained from a bone bank (a bone graft).
What is it called when a person doesn’t have a neck?
Klippel-Feil Syndrome (KFS) is a congenital bone condition in which at least 2 cervical vertebrae remain fused and immobile. Some common signs may include a visibly short neck and low hairline behind the head.
How do you sleep with a herniated C6 C7?
How to sleep with cervical radiculopathy
- Sleeping on your back: This is the optimal sleeping position as it is the easiest to properly brace your head and position your neck.
- Sleeping on your side: This position is not as preferred as laying on your back, but it is better than on your stomach.
What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve at C6 C7?
C6-C7 (C7 nerve root): Pain, tingling, and/or numbness may radiate into the hand and middle finger. Weakness may also be felt in the triceps (muscles in the back of the upper arm), finger extensors, and other muscles.
What is C7 responsible for?
C7 helps control the triceps (the large muscle on the back of the arm that straightens the elbow) and wrist extensor muscles. 1,3. The C7 dermatome goes down the back of the arm and into the middle finger.
How serious is neck fusion surgery?
While uncommon, as with all surgery there are a number of risks and potential complications that can occur as a result of a cervical decompression and fusion surgery, including: Hemorrhage or formation of a wound hematoma. Damage to the carotid or vertebral artery resulting in a stroke or excessive bleeding, even death.
How many years does a cervical fusion last?
Conclusion: ACDF leads to significantly improved outcomes for all primary diagnoses and was sustained for >10 years’ follow-up. Secondary surgeries were performed for pseudarthrosis repair and for symptomatic adjacent-level degeneration.
What disability does Big Ed have?
Big Ed shared that he has learned to accept his disorder and sbrig off negativity, and he hopes that his attitude can inspire others. “I grew up with the condition called KFS – Klippel-Feil syndrome- where it looks like I actually don’t have a neck,” Big Ed explained.
What is the C6-C7 motion segment of the cervical spine?
Due to its load-bearing function, the C6-C7 motion segment is susceptible to degeneration, trauma, and intervertebral disc dysfunction. The C6-C7 spinal motion segment includes the following structures: C6 and C7 vertebrae. The C6 vertebra is structurally similar to most other cervical vertebrae, except C1 and C2.
What is congenital cervical fusion?
Congenital cervical fusion is a type of deformity or anomaly of the spine that is present at birth (congenital).
What is the difference between the C6 & C7 nerves?
The C6 nerve roots, which exit the spinal column between the C6 vertebra and the C7 vertebra, directly affects the control of the muscles in the forearms and wrists. The C7 vertebra sits directly below the C6 spinal vertebra and is part of the lower levels of the cervical spine, near the base of the neck.
What happens when the spinal cord gets injured at C6-C7?
When the spinal cord gets injured at C6-C7, pain, weakness, or paralysis may occur in one or more parts of the body below the injured level. Reduction of bowel, bladder, and/or breathing functions may occur in some cases. Typically, nonsurgical treatments are tried first to control the symptoms of C6-C7 injuries.