Hi All!
I had ACDF on C5/6 6/7 on Feb 14th of 2007. I have been back to work since 3 weeks after the surgery. I am a printer and do heavy work with lots of stooping bending twisting, etc. I have muscle spasms about once every 2 weeks, and Ibuprofen usually does it, if not, vicodin works well. My fusion was different in that it did not use any bone. They used cages and plates, and removed a lot of bone spurs as well. I never had to wear a collar, and albeit a bit uncomfortable for the first 2 nights, I slept in my own bed with regular pillows starting the day after my surgery. I wish more neuro surgeons would use this technique as I am feeling very sorry for those of you who have pain still. I can make my xrays available if you ask me, and you can show them to your docs...maybe that will help.
Hang in there,
Dave