ACDF Spinal Surgery with ROI-C Implant
 

Status update two weeks after cervical disk replacement and spinal fusion with ROI-C device.

Background - saw 3 doctors in 2 states for excruciating pain in right arm and shoulder I had for over 2 years. First Neurologist found nothing. The other two (2 yrs later) both had same diagnosis, bone spur in vertebrae and C5-C6 disk needed replacing. Tests showed that I had permanent nerve damage to right arm. Both said it would only get worse without surgery and could have more serious damage. One doctor said I could return to work as soon as I wanted but he recommended at least 2 weeks. Said he had one patient return to work the day after surgery.

Surgery day - Operating room nurse told me I would have a LOT of pain, far worse than my recent knee surgery. Surgery was 1 hour. Recovery about 4-1/2 hrs. Wife drove me home immediately afterwards (2 hr drive). Threw up twice. No cervical collar or brace, only a gauze bandage.

1 day post surgery - right arm was dead weight. Could not control it, brush teeth, shave or even lift a coffee cup. Worked fine prior to surgery, had just been having pain from shoulder to finger tips but full use and full strength. Kinda scary. Called Dr. and was put me on Prednisone steroid.

4 days post surgery - Showered and removed bandage. Scared me because he used a black bandage on the skin and it looked like a big black hole in my neck as I peeled off the white gauze. Visited MD (2hr drive each way). He said arm problem was not a result of surgery (Hmmmm) but to give it time it would slowly get better. I was starting to regain some use of arm but still could not brush my hair. But, ZERO PAIN since surgery. I thought the nurse must have been teasing me about the amount of pain. I never took any prescription pain meds, only Aleve and prescription muscle relaxer. Nurse put 3 small tape strips over incision.

5-7 days post surgery - The pain meds given during surgery must have worn off! Pain in back of neck, across back and right arm and shoulder. By day 7, pain was much more intense. Iced upper back and shoulders several times a day. Still taking no pain meds other than Aleve. Tried some rehab exercises with light weight (2-3#) MD recommended, but had too much pain later so gave up on them. Removed tape strips from incision. Didn't look bad at all. Difficult to find a comfortable (least painful) sleeping position. Not possible to sleep on my stomach.

2 weeks post surgery - Returned to work (desk job) but not working the entire day. Regained use of right arm but only about 1/2 strength so far. Continuous pain in upper back, base of neck in back and especially right arm
and shoulder. Icing it down 3-4x/day. Take Aleve 2x/day and Methycarbonal muscle relaxer 4x/day. Occasional real sharp pain in neck from certain movements. No pain ever at incision or front of neck. Have to be careful about turning head or sudden neck movements. Driving again but being real careful. Returning to MD for checkup this week. Am concerned about driving 4 hrs that day, mostly about holding my head in the same position for so long and any problems that might cause and navigating in heavy traffic.

If anyone's interested, I can give an update following the doctor visit. I hope my experience can help someone contemplating this surgery. It really has not been bad.

3 weeks post surgery
 

Excellent visit with MD this week. Am right where I should be pain wise and recovery wise. Feel like there's a lump in my lower throat but able to eat anything. I drove over 4 hrs round trip to MD 2 days ago and also worked that day prior to visit. Pain is getting better and strength returning to arm. I drove 6-1/2 hrs today almost non-stop mostly over bumpy 2-lane back-country roads. Not easy looking to right for traffic as can't yet look over my shoulder so wife was my traffic spotter. She later drove another 2 hours while I iced my back and shoulders. Failed to mention that I had a sore throat and some difficulty swallowing the first couple of weeks, especially week 1, which is quite normal for this surgery.

I wonder if the ROI-C disk implant is the difference between my experience and other posts. Surgery was out-patient, no screws or plates used as the ROI-C was inserted between the C5 and C6 and is held in place with 2 small flat drive-in anchors, locking the C5, C6 and ROI-C together (as I understand it). No graft either as the MD filled the center of the ROI-C with synthetic bone(?). I'm very pleased so far.

Status update
 

9 weeks post surgery - Started PT and am doing prescribed exercises between 3x/week PT visits. Pain and discomfort in upper back and both shoulders, especially the left side (pre-surgical pain was all on the right side). Turning head to either side is limited and sometimes painful. Learned to sleep on side and back. Sometimes painful in bed and always stiff and sore upon waking. Road 4 wheeler 2 hrs last week on rocky mountain trails in CO then was stuck on plane (thanks Delta Airlines!) for almost 11 hours the next day. Was stiff and sore but PT the next day helped tremendously. Traveled by car total of 16 hrs over this past weekend. Quite sore today after long PT session. I believe it's getting better, but it definitely is more uncomfortable than it was the first couple of weeks post surgery.

wow, Hang in there. I don't think I would have done the 4wheeler. It is way to soon for all the jarring around. Please take it easy, your body needs time to heal.

I had the same surgery with the same device, ROI-C on nov 15, 2012, so I am 14 weeks post op. my recovery has been horrible! Please update on how you are now.........

Sorry for not replying, but I haven't been on this site in a long time. I'm sorry that you are having problems. Unfortunately, every case is different.

It's been a year since surgery. My surgery was totally successful. It was well over 6 months before the residual discomfort went away, usually caused by poor posture in front of a computer terminal most of the day or driving long distances with my head in a single position. Most of my pain was in my upper back or headaches but none in the neck. PT was a big help. I don't have any arm or neck pain any more, can do anything that I want but I do have somewhat limited vertical neck range since the C5 & C6 are fused. For example, it's difficult to get the very last swallow out of a cola can. My doctor told me before surgery to expect this so it's no surprise. The incision healed nicely and you can't even see the scar.

I sincerely hope you get better soon.

I had C5-C6 single level ACDF 5 months ago in Dec. 2014 using ROI-C. I only had right arm pain before surgery. I was fine for about a month then I started having right arm/ neck pain and it has only gotten worse. Wondering if it is the ROI-C device as I know many people who had this surgery and were fine 6 months later. None of them used ROI-C though. Anyone use ROI-C. Feedback would be nice.

Have you tried cervical isometrics to strengthen your neck muscles? My big issue with these ACDF surgeries is that they just remove the deep neck flexor support worsening the amount of stress on the neck and other muscles causing more pain and dsyfunction.

Update 6 yrs later
 

It's been 6 years since my ACDF surgery. Other than flexibility limitations, I have been doing great and have had no related problems.

However, as the surgeon warned me about 6 years ago, I am having the same intense pain and problems on the left side of my shoulder, left arm and neck. I see a neurosurgeon in the same medical group next week for diagnosis (my surgeon retired).

I'm not looking forward to another surgery. I was 60 last time and expect that recovery may be much more difficult this second time, if I have to have it.

how are you doing now?