Was apparently born with very narrow spinal canal. Surgeons kept asking me if I had an accident, but other than a gymnastic mishap of falling on my head when I was 16, can't think of anything. I was frightened into having ACDF surgery three years ago at age 44. I didn't really have pain, just numbness and an odd sense of self. I know: sounds weird. I have to say, the surgery was not bad for me -- but it took a long while before I felt "normal".