I had ACDF on C5-C6 back in March. It wasn't very long ago but I still have a constant ache where the surgery was done. The fluid from the disc was going into my spinal cord and compressing it, leaving me with no feeling in both arms and hands and started affecting my legs.

I sometimes wish I would not have had the surgery but know that if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to walk today. Is really doesn't get any better, does it? When i asked the doctor again today about the chronic pain and some numbness that I still have, he doesn't have any certain answers on anything. What am I supposed to do now?

TucsonGrandma, HI I just wanted to let you know that on boards like these you do hear a lot of horror stories that would scare anyone. But this past Dec (2009) I had a 4 level cervical fusion from C3-C7 but my surgeon did not use the usual ways the fusion surgeries ar done and that is why I believe I have had such a different experience from most people I hear about. Google "PEEK PREVAIL" I had 4 of those put in my neck instead of the usual bone grafts or cages and plates. I do still have some pain but I am also only 7 months post-op. I didn't have to stay still for 6-8 weeks or anythign crazy like that. I wore a soft collar for 5 weeks and wasn't allowed in a car (for fear that one accident could be really bad) but that was about it. I wore a Bone Growth Stimulator for 4 hours a day for 6 months (which wasn't near as bad as it sounds) and I feel a lot betterthan I did pre-op. It will never be like God made it but it will do for now and I would recommend it if you had the right surgeon using the right equipment. By the way I am only 42 and still have grandkids to raise too one day, I hope. Good Luck and let me know what you do.
Jennychele

[Hi Shecraw, or sheila, I am new to the site too, and learning to find my way around. I have your problem too. I am Post 6yr. C-6-7 fussion and plate and am not told I have to have 4-7 done. I was just told yesterday and I am terrified. I am in alot of trouble and I don't know if I can go through more. I can't make myself call the neuro as I should today. How can you re-do a fussion? I have narrowing of the cord and spinal compression 4-7. This happened after the 6-7 fussion. Can all of them be done like that> how many have you had fused?

Hi lisa, I have been re-plying to all with the cervical issues, for information and comfort. I am post 6 yr. C-6-7 and I was told yesterday I need alot more done. I had been herniated at 5-6 too at the time and he did't address it. He only did the emergency C-6-7, now I am deterorated badly, and 4-7 need surgery I am told. I am frightened. I don't know what to do. This Dr. did not do all he needed to do at the time because I had no health insurance. I had pre-existing condts. Now I am left with severe degeneration of the ones above 6-7

Hi leesa, I am ginnie, new and desperate. Is it true if you have cord compression you do have to have the surgery? I do lessa and I am terrified.

Just checking back withyou, Virginia.

I'm going to get in touch with Jo*mar to see if she can put your posts on one page for us.

Do you know how to copy what you're posting and paste to another member. Saves a lot of retyping.

You highlight your text. simultaneously do Ctrl+C. this copies the highlighted text. go to the place you want to paste and do Ctrl+V. This should paste your previously typed text.

So sorry you're faced with another surgery. I know it must be scary. You have reason to be worried. It'll be okay.

There's a new thread for Virginia here -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread130149.html

[I liatened to all of you on this thread. I am post6-7 fusion facing a new neruo this tuesday, 4-7 compressed cord. I don't know if I want to do this. How do you made that decision

Some older studies say that about 20% of fusions wind up putting a strain on other nearby vertebra. So this can happen.

Do people know you can now get articial cervical disc replacement rather than fusion, and insurance now pays for it. It is better to do than a fusion. One of the doctors I just consulted with for my lumbar spine is one of the doctors in this country in Chicago who does this. You end up with an artifical disc so that you can still move your neck well, and they can do multiple levels. Then there is not the problems with discs above and below the fusion of starting to bulge over time. I wish I had been able to have this when I had my c4-c5 fusion. I have a cadavar bone where the disc was and a plate and pins put in fromt he front. It helped a lot as my spinal cord was being pushed on, and I was losing the ability to use my left arm. I have some arthritis now where the nerve comes out at C4 and had a shot that helped some. Eventually something will have to be done to open the hole so the nerve is not being pinched.

You can also get artifical disc replacement for lumbar spine too, but this is not yet approved by the insurance companies. I wish it was as I need surgery on lumbar area L1 and L2 and likely L3 and L4. I can barely walk as I am in a lot of pain, and now the right leg goes totally numb for a time and feels like a dead log. Now the left leg starts too. I have to do something before I end up paralyzed from the waist down. I was told this could happen.