Hi ! Newbie here with a request for opinions. I have a mess for a neck and multiple levels of varying degrees of disease. C3-7 all have degenerative disc disease and bone spurring. C4-7 are very diseased with the above and disc bulging with mild cord compression at C4-6. C3-C6 also have stnosis in the central cord areas as well as the other foramen. Looking down the barrel of a two level fusion . I understand it will help stabilize the issues I have at those levels. MY QUESTION (finally) is will I continue to have the pain and radiculopathy from the levels that are not being fused ? What have you experienced. I have heard that I will be trading one pain for another. My spinal cord compression of course is the most concerning, but I had hoped the surgery would help all of the pains and aches. What is your experience ? Has your ACDF given any of you pain relief completely when only 2 levels were fused ? THANKS you all !

Hi ~ Don't expect any surgery to relieve your pain. Chances are you will STILL have pain, and sometimes worse. Surgery ONLY repairs mechanical problems. It is NOT for pain relief. If you do happen to get pain relief, you're just lucky.

The latest studies have shown that people who have had sugeries/fusions get NO better results than people who have had physical therapy!!! Now that's scary when you consider how many surgeries are being done now!!!

I've had 2 open surgeries on my spine --- this was years ago --- and NOW I would NOT have any surgery unless I was in danger of being paralyzed or of having permanent nerve damage.

Also, when you have fusion, the levels above & below the fusion site tend to fail, causing those levels to herniate & leading to more surgery. This is because those levels have to take on more of the load. So fusion begets more surgery.

If you're not seeing a pain management doctor at present, I'd ask for a referral so that you can better manage your pain, rather than risk surgery. Or I'd seek at least 2 more opinions with Neurosurgeons and see what they say about surgery. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

Poodlemom, I have had two ACDFS; C3/C4 and C5/C6. I was in severe pain every day 24/7 for three years with cervicogenic headaches. No amount or brand of pain meds touched it!! Long story, but once they fused the C3/C4 I woke up...headache free! That was 8 years ago. Now, I still get headaches from time to time because the C2/C3 has facet arthritis. But I will take these over the severity I used to have any day of the week! I had C5/C6 done 6 years ago and yes, it stopped the pain...in my hands. I never did have any pain going down my arms. But my spinal cord was being compressed. Having said all of that, I get injections from time to time. But I can't even remember when I had the last one done in my neck; probably two years ago. For now I am dealing with lumbar/sacral issues. Anyway, long story short, people DO do well. The domino theory is just that. It doesn't always happen that way. I have the C4/C5 wedged between two fusions and it is fine for now. Will it go bad? Maybe, maybe not. Bottom line is...a surgeon does NOT guarantee pain relief. It is an added benefit. Your concern should be neurological deficits. Once that happens, there is no going back. Last but not least, take a look at Peyton Manning. He has had 4 cervical surgeries done; the last one a fusion. He rehabbed hard and long but now is going to play for the Broncos. I think he is nuts personally LOL! But he IS an example that you can recover. And I know plenty of people that have done well. Don't let what we say here scare you. Everyone is an individual and has had different experiences. Talk with a Neurosurgeon; maybe even get two or three opinions. And for the record, it was my SPINAL pain management doctor who got me straightened out BY referring me to a good Neurosurgeon. Good luck and I wish you well.

I have had three open cervical surgeries 1986 1995 & 1996. Once it was truely corrected, I have remained strong and painfree since that time. At this point, I am experiencing some arthritic changes. Keep in mind that I am now 63. My lower lumbar is a disaster after five surgeries that were needed to stablize the spine. The pain increased with each surgery and I can no longer walk due to pain and balance issues. Best wishes.