In my past experiences with operations, I have found that it takes approximately twice the time the Doctor say's to resume any kind of normal life and about a year before you say to yourself "hey, I don't notice any pain anymore".

I had my surgery March 2011 and my neck is still in a lot of pain. I would love to think it's going to get better better, however I believe I have this for life Presently, I'm getting facet injections every 3 months, however they really don't help that much. If I could turn back the clock would I do the surgery again... No.

Hi there! New here. I just had ACDF surgery C5-6 and 6-7 on November 13. They took bone from my hip. Doing pretty well. Still have pain and like a burning sensation behind my shoulders. My left leg is a little weak. ( Left hip was where they took the graft from). I feel like I have Icy HOt on my shoulders. Throat still feels swollen. It's hard to swallow solid food still. I also noticed I seemed to have developed sleep Apnea. Never had this before the surgery. I though the pain in the shoulders would go away with the surgery. Does it take more time? I know I am barely a week post op. Just frustrated.
They have me in a Miami J collar. I was told no lifting or bending for 6 weeks.
Has anyone else felt the way I do? Curious on how long the recovery process works.
Thanks for your help!

Glad you found Neuro Talk. Yep, one week in, and what you are experiencing is quite normal. Relax, sleep, take it easy. Wish they had given you donor bone, rather than from the hip. I was sore for the first 6 weeks, but did start therapy at 4 weeks. Hope you feel better real soon. ginnie

How bad was the revision surgery? How long was your recovery compared to the first two? Was the last one posterior? I've had two cervical surgeries, still recovering from the second one, 14 weeks post op. This one has been horrible, the first one was no big deal as far as the recovery went. Hoping you re weel now!

Hi winnie, I hope you are doing better. Sometimes those first weeks are just horrible. I had the same experience as the other person who replied. First surgery was OK, the second one is horrible. I have a 5 level fusion and it took a good 6 months before I felt OK. Keep resting. Post and let us know how you are doing. ginnie

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?

I just had the exact same surgery in January (2013). I spent 3 months in a neck brace...first 2-3 weeks out of surgery were very painful, but over time it improved and here I type 6 months later in great health! I am back in the gym, working out....playing with my kids pain free....etc.

I do get sensations down my arm from time to time and my mobility isn't 100%, but MUCH better than where I was earlier this year and late last year. So far, my experience has been positive.