I wil be having ACDF surgery on December 12. I am not sure what to expect or just what is going to be done at the time of surgery. I currently have a partial knee replacement on my left knee, I have to walk with a cane since I can not move the knee. It is locked in a bent position due to massive scar tissue. I injured my neck about 8 month's ago while walking into the grocery store. I misstepped and stumbled as not to fall. When I did this fast abrupt movement I felt a burning/stabbing pain in my neck and back. That night the pain got even worse !!! I went to the ER, they sent me home with a diagnosis of nothing but a muscle sprain. I was in so much pain, I went to my regular doctor. She sent me for a MRI which confirmed that I had a ruptured disc and a free floating fragment pressing on the nerve. I have had neck, arm, and hand pain, as well as tingling/numbness in 3 fingers since then. I started going to a chiropracter and a neurosurgen for some releif. With chiropractic treatments 3 Xweekly the pain that was off the charts in the beginning has come down a bit to a 6 or so. I do at home streching, went to PT in the beginning also. I also do at home traction. This really helps !!! I have seen the neurosurgen 3 times since this happened. Each time he did a strength test on my hand and arm, everytime the number's have gotten worse. The last visit he sent me for another MRI, this told him that whatever is going on in my neck is not improving with conventinal treatment. It seems that the pain, weakness and numbness is a progressive thing that I am not aware of. I did not realize just how weak my right arn and hand has allready gotten. If I do not have surgery to correct this I mght lose function in my right arm. So I will be having ACDF surgery soon. Any advise or help ??? Thanks, Karen

Karen,
I had a 2 level ACDF C5-6 C6-7 pm 12/9/2010. My was from a long lasting regenerative problem. I waited more than 5 years to have the surgery. Big mistake on my part. Should have had it done years earlier. After surgery I was lucky that the pain I had prior was gone as was the pin and needles, tingling. Don't get me wrong, there was some different pain associated with the surgery. I was pleased that I had the surgery. Good luck.

Thanks for the help !!! I tend to look into the "what if's " and totally scare myself !!!

please oh please i beg that you do research much of it

speak with as many persons in your position

seek all different doctors

always always have an advocate with you

get as many opinions as possible

i had the same surgery

same hardware

same symptoms

had all kinds of doctors and painful tests

in the end still haven't fused to date

first surgery 3-11-10 second 4-15-11

i believe in the end i didn't have a good team

some good stories i have read

i'm certainly not one of them

do not want to frighten you

just asking that you make and informed decision

please do your homework

i am worse off from my experience

i wish you only the best of luck

This week I have to go to the hospital for preop testing, then have my primary Dr. give memedical clearance for my surgery. The neurosurgen who is doing the surgery, is one of the best in the area. I have complete confidence in him !!! Lot's to do. I still do my at home traction, this really helps with the neck pain. It dose nothing for the arm and hand pain. My finger's have been numb/tinglingly for 8 month's now. I do hope that the nerve damage can be reversed. I have seen some HORROR stories online about this surgery and the recovery. I am in quite a bit of pain/disconfort NOW !!! I really hope that this surgery make's things BETTER not WORSE !!!

I had my acdf surgery 4 1/2 months ago. I felt much better (except for the normal PO pains) for about 8 weeks. I think I did too much too soon. I went back to work (teaching) after only three weeks and began feeding my horses after 6 weeks. I have pain now that I did not have the first eight weeks. My bone is fusing well and I have another follow up appointment with my surgeon on December 9 so we'll see what he says. Even though I followed all the post op instructions he gave me, your body will tell you what you can and can't do....listen to it! Best of luck, I am sure you will do well!

MB

Hi, Just trying to get everything straightened in my house so there will be nothing left to clean after I have my surgery on Dec 12 th. I had my medical exam yesterday, and except for they fact that I overdid it with the cleaning and gave myself a slight asthma attack, I am doing fine. I am a bit scarred about this surgery, I have had several surgical procedures in the past, and I tend to get this nervous feeling with every one. I know there are limitations with this surgery, no BLT..bending lifting or twisting. Can anyone please give me some advise on what to expect. My surgery is just one level C6/C7. I will be having a fusion with cage plating. Thanks, Karen

Hi frenchfri1003, I am scheduled in less than two weeks for disk replacement/fusion at C4/5, 5/6 and 6/7. I am getting more terrified every day. I'm wondering if I am going to panic last minute and not have it done. I have read so many posts from people who did not think it was worthwhile. Do you have any suggestions for me to ease my fear since you sound as if you had good results. Thanks, ABBB

I do know first hand how scarry this is. When I found this site I was in the exact place you are in now. I had my second fusion C3-7 20 months ago. I am doing fine. In my case, I had good results, way less pain than what I experienced before this second fusion. I was panicked, crying, and unable to get a grip until I started talking to people here. If this surgery is truely needed, and you have gotten all the opinions necessary to be sure, go ahead and try to get the relief. It did work for me, and I had seriously reversed the curve of my spine as well. I am on a low dose of meds for two seperate conditions, and am getting along just fine. Please know we are here for you. if there is any specific question you need, just ask. somebody will certainly answer you. I do wish you all the best. Try to be calm. It is easier said than done I do know! I will listen any time you need me. Neuro Talk was created just for this kind of medical need. Lots of good folks. You will make a friend or two also. Have a good Valentines day, and do something nice for yourself. ginnie

I do wish you all the best in your surgery. I know if you already have the date for your surgery set, you have done all your homework about it. I had my second fusion C3-7 a year ago. My result was very good, and the pain is alot less. My surgery however was pretty painful. Make sure you are on the same page as your physician regarding medications after the proceedure. I am glad I did this second fusion, and I hope you have good results with lots of pain reduction when it is all said and done. I did start PT soon after surgery, at just 4 weeks with my surgeons blessings. This helped me more than I thought it would. Take care during your recovery, and be extra good to yourself. I also hope you have someone in your life that can help you out for a couple of weeks while you heal. That alone is worth gold. I also hope that by Christmas you can enjoy some of the holiday. My sincere best wishes for you. ginnie