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

with the house and all that clean up stuff have someone with you
NO lifting pulling pushing
relax let yourself heal
this coming from someone who
suffers
OCD err on the side neat and orderly
not a good thing

be well
wishing a smooth ride

I will be having ACDF with cage plate surgery on December 12th. I am a little nervous about the recovery...I have a HARD time sitting still, and lot's of chores around the house on a daily basis. How am I going to do this ??? ANY SUGGESTIONS !!!PLEASE HELP !!!

I had ACDF surgery July 2011. I did NOT wake up in the hospital with my arm pain gone! Unlike some lucky people. The first month of recovery was hellacious. Lots of pain in my arm and shoulder. It wasn't until the 5th week that the pain began to lessen. It's now four months later, and I'm down to about 1800mg. of Gabapentin daily, instead of 3600 mg. before my surgery. Of course, I hope I continue to improve, but sometimes I wonder why it's taking so long (I had two huge disc herniations as a result of a fall. Have no DDD at all).