Hi all!!!

I am still new here. My NS and I have decided that if this epidural steroid injection in my neck works as well as the one they did in l5/s1
(it didnt) that we will opt for the acdf. I have had back pain, due to double curve from idiopathic scoliosis. However, NEVER have I had anything that hurts this bad and has kept me so far down. I have gone down to 3 short shifts at work, resting more and more of my days and basing everything I do on my pain level day to day. I used to be so busy it was a rariety to have a lazy day. WE have gradnchildren that we spend most of our free time with, used to go to the gym @least 3-4 days a week and worked a lot. This is humbling and @ times totally embarrassing. Im so disappointed and discouraged. I have done PT etc. Its not ljust my cervical area but thorasic, and lumbar as well..... I have pain in and nymbness and tingling left arm left leg, constant headaches and PAIN.... Will ACDF help with all of it? I have stenosis, herniated disc, ddd, and bulging? per MRI. Lumbar was not clear because of movement. However, my NS didnt reorder it He said no stenosis in lumbar. Sorry so long and boring just wanting help!!!

That's the $64K question. Surgery can often fix what's physically wrong; whether it can fix/end pain is less certain. It has worked for some, but it has not worked for others. There are no guarantees except that whatever they do cannot be undone.

The consensus here seems to be (and by all means use the search facility & google):

• Try everything else first; surgery should be your last option
• Ask about other alternatives/options, surgically and otherwise (endoscopic laser, micro-, etc.)
• Get multiple opinions
• Research procedures & doctors thoroughly, including statistics on outcomes

Folks, if I've skipped/missed anything, please jump in!

Best wishes,

Doc

Hi ~ Dr. Smith is right. You need to stay conservative as long as possible. Surgery should be your LAST option, after all other options have been tried.

Surgery ONLY repairs mechanical problems. It will NOT 'fix' pain. If a doctor says that he will relieve your pain, he's lying because usually you have the same pain or worse after surgery. Surgery does NOT relieve pain. If you have surgery and it DOES relieve your pain, that's just an usual bonus.

The latest research has shown that people who have undergone surgery get the SAME RESULTS as people who have gone thru physical therapy! That's quite a statement!!

So I'd get more opinions, perhaps try therapy again, go into pain management, do whatever you have to do to avoid surgery as long as you can! The only time I would agree to surgery is if my spinal cord was in danger of compression or if nerves were in danger of being permanently damaged. And by the way -- many years ago, I had 2 OPEN surgeries on my spine, and I'm now permanently disabled because of it.

Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

I agree with Leesa and Doc. Research till your eyes close then research some more. My pain prior to ACDF sounds just like yours, in the end I could do nothing but lay on ice then heat and pop Lortabs out of a Pez dispenser, yes, it was that bad! I had ACDF 3 months ago, and for the most part, things have improved. I went back in though due to severe pain resurfacing, and the same ole plan the day around pain level cycle had begun to return so it was time to get help. I had my first cervical block today and all went well, hope it stays that way. Get more than 1 opinion, research the dr thorouly and what patient surveys say. I had 3 opinions before I chose. Good luck, it is a hard road to travel. :hugs:

dear friend

as all the above advise i agree with
just thought i might throw in
an ADVOCATE with you it is my
saving grace

someone who cares

Checking in to see how you are all doing?