ACDF Sugery - do or don't??
 

I'm new here. I'm undecided about if I should have ACDF surgery or not have surgery? Please advise? thank you...

TECHNIQUE: MRI of the cervical spine was performed without contrast.
FINDINGS: There are multilevel degenerative changes of the cervical spine with disc space
narrowing at C4-C5 and C5-C6. Multilevel disc desiccation is seen. There is loss of normal
lordosis of the cervical spine. There is minimal retrolisthesis of C4 on C5 and C5 on C6.
The bone marrow signal is within normal limits without evidence of marrow replacing lesion or
fracture. The visualized posterior fossa is unremarkable. There is no abnormal cord signal.
C2-4: Unremarkable.
C4-5: Posterior osteophyte disc complex formation demonstrates effacement of the ventral the cal
sac, and narrowing of the spinal canal. There is no cord flattening identified. Uncovertebral
hypertrophy contributes to moderate to severe narrowing of the bilateral neural foramina
C5-6: Posterior osteophyte disc complex formation effaces the ventral thecal sac. There is
buckling of the ligamentum flavum, with secondary narrowing of the spinal canal and mild cord
flattening. There remains peripheral CSF space. There is asymmetric protrusion of the posterior
osteophyte complex to the right which encroaches into the neural foramina and demonstrates
severe narrowing. Uncovertebral hypertrophy and osteophyte disc complex also contributes to
severe narrowing of the left neural foramina. C6-T1: Unremarkable.
Impression:
Degenerative changes at the C4-C6 level demonstrating spinal canal narrowing and cord
flattening at C5-C6. No abnormal cord signal is seen.
Moderate to severe neural foramina narrowing at C4-C5 and severe neural foramina narrowing at C5-C6.

hard to say yes or no
 

Did your dr. recommend surgery? What are your symptoms? I have same problems with c4-c6 as you do. My symptoms are neck pain, shoulder pain and arm pain. I have also started to get more headaches. I have been to three consults and all three recommend two level acdf with instrumentation. I have tried epidural injections into cervical spine without much relief. Now I take nerve and pain meds daily. My pain is getting worse over the last year. It is only a matter of time before I have surgery. If I can help let me know

My surgery has been scheduled for August 27th. Just hope I have good range of motion afterwards.

Welcome 413Girl. :Wave-Hello: