9 days post single level aCDF
 

Hello everyone, I am 9 days post surgery with a single level ACDF C5-C6 with the LDR ROI-C not the plate and screws. I am off of all pain medication for almost 48 hours now and I am feeling good. I did not have too much throat pain. I am feeling a little tightness between my shoulders and my incision site is a little sore. All and all I feel good. I am more bored than anything else and nto being able to drive anywhere makes it a pain. I have my follow up with the doctor next week and we will see how everything is going. All of the pain from before the surgery is gone so all in all I feel great. I will keep everyone posted.

So happy for the good report. Resist temptation to overdo when you are feeling so good and getting bored. Don't be surprised or alarmed if a bad day pops up out of nowhere. They just happen. If you aren't on a walking program yet, your doctor might suggest that next week. Start out nice and easy and slowly build up. The walking will increase your overall sense of well being in addition to strengthening you. Take care. Best wishes.

ACDF how are you now?
 

Hello, I hope all is well still. I have a single level c6 c7 acdf scheduled the 24th. I only hear horror stories about this surgery. I am scared s-less to be exact, but I have no other choice than to get the surgery. My left arm has atrophe, I am numb down my arm and it is getting very weak to the point of dropping things-not to mention pain from shoulder blade to fingers-no neck pain though. I am literally terrified that my post-op life will be pain meds and constant pain from this surgery. I wish people who had sucessful acdf's would post-but I guess they wouldn't if they had good experiences. I have had other Doctor opinions and I cannot wait longer for the surgery or I will have permanent nerve damage. Anyhow, if you have any words of encouragement, I would greatly appreciate them. thanks

Hi! I had a multi-level ACDF (C4-5, C6-7) on September 5. I had the same symptoms as you, left arm getting weaker everyday, horrendous pain in the shoulder blade area and down the left arm. I too was terrified, but when I woke up from surgery, that terrible, terrible pain was gone! I had no pain from the incision, it was just tender. The worst part for me was the throat pain and difficulty swallowing. The throat pain has pretty much subsided, but I still have some trouble swallowing. I'm not real happy about my post op care at the hospital, but that's another story. About a week after surgery, I developed pain between my shoulder blades. I called the doc and they said that was pretty normal and prescribed muscle relaxants three times a day. The pain has subsided somewhat, now it is only occasionally. I have good days and bad. I must remind myself that I'm not even two weeks post op yet. But I'm glad I had it done, would do it again in a heartbeat!

Beckel

It all sounds pretty normal to me. When I had the cervical surgeries, the "big things" that concerned me preop never happened but I always dealt with little pain monsters that hid under the soulder blades for several months. Muscle relaxers and moist heat really helped. It just took time and patience. Hang in there.