Anterior/Posterior cervical fusion
 

Help Anyone go through an anterior/posterior cervical fusion?
I am facing anterior and posterior cervical decompression and fusion C3-C7 on August 12th and am scared to death. What should I expect? I have suffered severe chronic pain for over 20 years, with the last two becoming unbearable with the addition of neurological issues.

No one believed me. I never had an MRI until 1 month ago. I was told many times that there was nothing wrong with me...I just wanted drugs...you could not possibly hurt that bad...try meditation.

Finally found a doctor who listened. MRI results (short form):
Mild levoconvex cervical scoliosis, apex C4.
Grade I retrolisthes of C3 on C4.
A syrinx which extends from C2-T9 and is 4-6mm.
Facet degeneration and hypertrophy.
C4-C5 Large posterior disc bulge. Severe spinal stenosis. Severe right foraminal narrowing. Moderate left foraminal narrowing.
C5-C6 Posterior osteophyte. Mild spinal canal narrowing. Moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing.
C6-C7 Posterior disc osteophyte complex eccentric to the left with a left foraminal component. Mild spinal stenosis. Moderate left foraminal narrowing.

Would love to hear from anyone who has undergone this 2 part surgery...

I had acdf surgery level 3 on June 24th and the first two weeks the pain was intense which of course is natural it is part of the recovery and healing process. Recently the pain has not gotten any better and I have been dropping things like I did before the surgery. In my case I had degenerative disc disease in the cervical and some in the thoracic two herniated disc and two bone spurs. When they did surgery they found that my neck was a lot more damaged than the MRI showed. They had to take an extra hour and half of surgery. My case I needed to have surgery and the higher the level the lesser the chance it will fuse. Even though my pain is still intense if I had to do it over again I would because the surgeon said that even a minor accident could have left me a lot more worse if I didn't have the surgery. My follow up is in August. A level two surgery the fusion rate is between 85-90% and I have heard people who have had one surgery and fusion that last 20 plus years. The tingle and numbness in my arms are not completely gone but better. I think with the level two fusion you will have a much better rate of fusion than myself. I would opt to really think about it do more research on the procedure. But all in all I would really think about having the surgery. Hope this helps and hope that you feel better soon. Please don't hesitate to ask me more any questions I will do my best to answer them for you.
Dave

cervical spinal fusion
 

I had c4_6 fused with bone from my hip and a plate and screws in 2006. It was a pretty mild recovery, not bad at all. I was able to get off allbpain meds till 2008. They had to do a posterior laminectomy to clen some stuff up. I was then good again till 2012. Went the morphine and oxy route till july 18th 2014. I am recovering now from having the medtronics neuro stimulator implanted . Very painful recover. The trial was great. Waiting to see, hope this is it for me. No more pain and no more narcotics is my goal! Dont be scared, hopefully this will be the only surgery you will neer. I know many people that only needed the fusion and have been fine for 20 plus years. Good luck!

Don't be scared, I know it's easier said than done.

I had ACDF surgery 2 level, C4-5 and C5-6 in Dec 2011. I was in the hospital for only 23 hours with no complications. I was released to go back to work only 3 weeks after the surgery. My surgeon suggested I take a full 6 weeks to recover but since I'm the only one who supports me, I had to get back to work.
I should have taken the full 6 weeks because I wouldn't have had the pain that I did! However, I was off any meds at 3 weeks, didn't need them.

The recovery is not that bad though everyone heals differently. And the range of motion loss is not so bad, I hardly notice it.

Now I'm facing problems with the level above & below my fusion. It's showing on my MRI I just had. The funny (not ha ha funny) part is, when I got a 2nd opinion from a Ortho Dr before the surgery, he suggested I do all 4 levels. I ended up going with my Neuro Dr and only had the 2 levels done because of the range of motion I would loose. I now wish I would have done all 4 levels at the same time because now I need another surgery!

I just had a 4 level fusion in my lumbar and not doing well from that one so facing another surgery sucks for me right now.

Again, try not to be so scared, these are very common surgeries and you'll be surprised how quickly you'll recover! Just be sure to follow ALL your Dr.'s instructions, this is crucial for recovery.

Good luck & keep us posted on how your doing.