Hello I am new to the forum. I am scheduled to have a three level ACDF done on 12/7. Dr says 6 weeks at home. I am a librarian. 55. good health. car accident has my neck in a reverse lordosis and impinging my spinal cord. I've had several rear enders. this last one iced it. I know absolutely nothing about what to expect. I need info on pain management, sleeping afterwards, what to expect when I wake up. I hear nausea, sore throat. Just tell me what to expect and what to look out for. thanks,
Berylyboo

Hi ~ Bless your heart -- I wish you didn't have to have this done.

Please talk to your doctor about POST-surgery pain medication. You WILL need medication to help with the pain afterwards. While it isn't "agonizing" usually, it sure is enough that you need medication for it. You will probably need some help at home for the first week or so. You will not be able to do any cooking/cleaning, etc. You will be extremely tired too. You might make up some meals and freeze them so that all you have to do is heat them up.

Have a walker or cane handy as you will probably feel unsteady on your feet for the first few days. Having a commode by the bed might be handy too.

Sleeping may be difficult -- some doctors make you wear a neck brace 24/7, while others let you take it off at bedtime. But you probably WILL be wearing a brace for awhile.

When you wake up after surgery, you SHOULD notice that any numbness is gone. You will feel some pain -- it gets worse the 2nd & 3rd days as the anesthesia wears off. That's why you need the pain medication. Some people experience problems swallowing, while others don't have a problem at all. It's a wait & see thing. You should keep an eye out for any unusual drainage or swelling from the site. SOME drainage may be normal, but if it's excessive or "changes" make sure you let your doc know. Watch for any fevers too.

You cannot do any bending/twisting/lifting. Your doc should give you your limitations.

I wish you the very best -- and I hope this takes care of your issues! PLEASE let us know how you are as soon as you can after surgery, okay? Not only do we want to know, but it could help others who are looking at this same surgery! God bless & please take care. Hugs, Lee

Hi Berylyboo. I am now 16 weeks post op after c4-c7 fusion. I did really well ( the normal post operative pain) for the first 8 weeks. After that I have had some recurrance of numbness and new pain. I returned to work only three weeks after surgery and am certain this was way too soon. I had the titanium plate and screws and required only a soft collar for support. I had severe impingement on my spinal cord for about 2 weeks prior to the surgery. I have been going to PT for the past month or so but having some muscle spasms, toothache type pain in my left arm, and even nausea. Some days are better than others. Sleeping is difficult still...Everyone is telling me it will take 18 months to be really healed...good luck, don't over do, and get plenty of rest!

Hi Berylyboo

I'm 8 months post op ACDF C5,C6,C7, with titanium plates & 6 screws. I'm a little better, but still suffering with daily pain and arm/neck/shoulder issues. I hope you do better then me.

You can click on my profile and read through my past posts one of them I list exactly what you will need post op (I prepared baskets of necessities by my bed for after surgery). I can't type it all out my hand is very painful tonight, but I have documented most of my recovery on this forum.

Make sure you have someone to help you!!! I had to wear a hard collar for 8-1/2 weeks post op and couldn't drive until that came off. The first 3 weeks were the worst. Sleeping is difficult, ask for sleeping pills and something strong for pain control.

Good luck with your surgery. Post how you do when you are feeling up to it.
Cathie

dear berylyboo

may i also suggest that you have
someone with you during your stay at the hospital
all suggestions expressed are to be taken seriously
each one of us behave differently
however what is recommended is from
personal experiences
i cannot stress more than ever
do not do ANY lifting, pulling, pushing with your legs foot
none of that stuff
taking a shower i did with a stool
have your phone with you at all times
take your med when told
give yourself a break
if you have someone taking care of you the better
eat keep your strength up
ice packs warm bottles which ever feels best
and take your temp. regularly
i am still recovering from my 2nd surgery
acdf 5/5-6/7 failed at fusing
plate 1st, cage added with additional cadaver
2nd surgery april 15th this year
don't be frightened if that support team
is all on the same page
make sure NO MISCOMMUNICATIONS ALLOWED
I WISH YOU ALL THE SUCCESS THAT COMES FROM A GOOD JOB WELL DONE
and as minimal pain as possible
with much concern

So sorry you have to go through the surgery. I had C3-7 fused after a failed fusion at C-6-7. I have all the hardware as well. I came to neruo talk for the exact same thing you are, to find out what may happen and what to expect. Please do dicuss pain management fully with your neruo surgeon. I had already been on Morphine, and did not feel I got enough pain control after the proceedure. It was pretty ruff there for few days. I had reversed the cure of my spine as well, and that was re-aligned. The first two weeks at home were hard. After that, the pain level went down to very managable levels. I did get enough meds. to bring home with me, and I was on time with each dose! It took me a long time to feel good again. I would say for myself at least three months. I also started PT as soon as the neurosurgeon cleared me even though I was afraid of doing it too soon because I was still in pain. The PT helped me. I think I started it at 4 weeks out. I hope that you will have less pain than I did. Oddly enough the throat didn't hurt much at all, and neithor did the incision. My incision was through the front both times. My pain was over the site where the hardware was placed, across the middle back of my neck. I do wish you all the best, and if there are any other questions I might answer for you don't hesitate to tap back. I received the truth here, from another survior of the surgery I had. It was ruff waking out of surgery and those first few days after, lots of injections of morphine. It will be OK however, it does pass, and my results were really good. It was worth all I went through to have some quality of life back. I wish you all the best. ginnie

Hello
new to forums and just reading through some posts on recovery from acdf. sounds promising and scary. I just had Carpal Tunnel release on my left hand and will have the ACDF on Feb 1st 2012. I know 2 surgery's within a week's time but one is covered under my Workers Comp and the ACDF is not. I am a little scared that the neck fusion recovery will take longer that the 6 weeks that I will be out of the office and i am hoping that i won't be out longer. I guess what I am looking for from this forum is A) what to expect? B) what should I be doing before surgery to get ready for recovery and C) what kind of pain am I looking at?

thank you

Hi Berylyboo, I have just joined this forum and am scheduled for a three-level ACDF at C4/5, C5/6 and C6/7 on the 21st of this month. I am, admittedly, terrified because I have read so many posts from people who have not had good outcomes. How did your tri-level surgery go, and do you have any suggestions for me as to how to make things go easier? I have three disks impinging on the spinal cord, the worst being 4/5 and 6/7. I am divorced and have no family around me, so I am particularly concerned about how long it will take for me to be able to drive, etc. I will be able to go into a nursing facility post-op....otherwise, I would not be able to do this....but I do not know how long I will be there. Thanks, ABBB