Why is my neck still PURPLE post anterior cervical fusion?
I had my first cervical anterior fusion on C5-6 in November 2007. My neck stayed purple and bruised looking ever since. I continued with terrible pain and my neck felt like there was a golf ball on the left side. I complained and said I though the screws were loose and/or the plate may have shifted. Nobody listened as the MRI's did not show this. I was finally sent to a pain clinic and was prescribed: Oxycontin, oxycodone, gabapentin, flexoril, lyrica. I went for a physical and my primary care doc, sent me to a great neurosurgeon. After about 18 months he FINALLY said I needed a fusion above the last one. Once he got in there, he noticed that everything I complained about was true! The bone never fused, the screws were all wiggly and the plate had popped up. He removed all of it and filled in where the screws were with some putty. He did a 4 level fusion, but I still have the purple neck.I also wore the MIAMI J neck brace for 4 weeks, even in the shower. WHY IS MY NECK PURPLE after 3 years? First surgery was November 2007, second was march 2010. I have not read this anywhere. It looks horrible, and I just want to know what is causing this. Is my neck reacting to the titanium? I Please help me.....
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5 Responses
I am officially unsubscribing from this website. It is not helpful in any way. Not one person or even a doctor (as I sent the same question to one on this site) could answer my question. Goodbye and good luck to those who are getting lots of responses.....not everything is for everyone~
Well I dont see how anyone could tell you that since its a unique problem. I have had 3 neck surgeries and none turned purple, and the doctor did not warn me about that being a risk. So, having said that, you need to rely on your own doctors advice and diagnosis since he or she can see what is going on.
Its kind of like me saying, my car wont start, and there is a puddle under it.
Unless someone who is an expert looks at it, and determines if the two are related, can a proper diagnosis be made. I'm sure lots of people can guess, hematoma, bleeding into the fascial planes, some nicked artery or vein that continues to bleed, I dont know, and its such an odd problem that I'm sure no one can help you except a doctor who sees you and is an expert in neurosurgery or hematology, vascular surgery or whatever the issue is.
Two neurosurgeons and my primary care doctor have all seen this and have offered no explanation.
Then I would get an attorney and explore malpractice against the doctor who did the surgery. IF they cannot offer any help or explanation, that seems to me like your next step.
I had the anterior cervical surgery. Three complete vertebra were removed and replaced with bone transplants, a five level fusion was done, as well as decompression. I wouldn't describe my scar as "purple" but it is "lip colored" as the doctor calls it. He thinks it will fade in time. I just use a touch of cover stick. I would be less concerned about the color and more concerned about your continuing pain and problems. I'm glad you sought out another doctor who helped you. I was blessed with an awesome doctor. Although the original surgery was horribly painful, I got slowly better, weaned myself from that Oxycodone/Hydrocodone/Oxycontin crap and am much better now. The more fair your skin, the more discolored your scar will be.