HI. I am new to the site and would like to get some input as to my pending surgery. I have been scheduled for ACDF of C4-5, C5-6 due to degenerative disks and auto accident. I am terrified of having my disks fused! Can someone please tell me your opinions...would you do it again? has it helped with the pain? what are your movements like compared to prior to surgery? Any reply is appreciated...

Welcome DB,

Results are mixed. You may see more negative results on groups like this, because it is the folks who've had negative results that need/seek support. Successes are living their lives, so don't need/tend to seek support.

That said, the concensus here is that surgery should only be considered as a last result after all other therapy options have been tried & failed, or if there is likelihood of further damage and/or paralyzation, and only after multiple medical/surgical opinions. Part of the reason for getting multiple opinions is to ask about alternatives, both surgical and non-surgical. Some surgeons will tell patients that there are no alternatives because they don't perform those alternatives -- just the procedures they're recommending. Prepare for consults ahead of time by researching alternatives online. ONE such search might be alternatives to acdf surgery, but there may be more as well.

Try for the best team of surgeons -- both a neuro and orthopedic -- that you can get, with experience in the exact procedure they'll be doing on you, and try to get their success rate with this procedure.

Don't count/rely on surgery fixing pain, regardless of what's promised. Surgery can fix mechanical problems, but pain/neurological problems depend on the type and extent of damage -- there are no guarantees. Also, permanency of success depends on the strength of the adjacent vertabrae to which they'll be attaching the hardware. Spinal surgery fails so often there's actually a name for it.

failed cervical surgery syndrome

Search the archives here (Search facility) for more discussions on your procedure.

Best wishes,

Doc

Hi what symptoms are you having - seprcific pains in hands\fingers arm? just neck shoulder? MRI says?

Everyone is different. However I am alot better. I had C3-7 done. I have good mobility but I am careful in what I do. I have DJD so there is risk to other verterbre. No more electric like shocks, no neurological pain and I am three years out. Doing fine. First months were painful in recovery, then it started to really get better. I did PT from week #4. I wish you all the best. ginnie