Hi Tenderfoot.....the only this that alarms me a bit is therapy we have alot of fusions in my family and never once did they want to start therapy so soon ---in fact my DR wanted very little movement for the first 8weeks....same for my brother and cousin.
I know we may due things diffrent in the states --but I will be honst this conerns me a bit.
Not sure if this is truly best way to go for you! Maybe ? the DR say you been on a forum and read most ppl dont do therapy so soon anter acdf. Not trying to stir the pot with you DR just bit concerned.

I was given a booklet with speciic exercises following ACDF to be started from day 1 in hospital & to try to do 10 repetitions 1 to 2 times daily.
The exercises are done sitting or against the wall & consist of bending the head forward until you feel a stretch at the back of your neck holding for approx 10 secs.
Then bend backwards as far as is comfortable.
Then turn your head to one side until you feel a stretch, then the other.
Then chin pulls, shoulder rolls & finally raise both hands letting thumbs lead the way.

I've not yet accomplished all of the exercises, I only do a few at a time several times daily.

Today I've started feeling a tingling sensation under my chin & around my wound. The wound itself is occasionally stinging very slightly. I guess this is all part of the healing process? Or is it because I made a couple of simple meals & climbed the stairs a few times today?
Thanks.
Tender x

Hey Tenderfoot---the tingle is normal. From time to time I still have it near my scar 2 yrs later --just nerves are much more sensative after being cut. My incision is almost covers the whole left side of my neck ---only because once they went in ---one of the disc crumbled --they cut me wider to fish out the disc material from the back of the neck. You know what-- I understand its mild exercise but Im still not sure about it --at all. Next follow up at least mention in the states they seem to avoid any therapy for several weeks. I hope your throat is feeling better ---amazing how on fire it feels after this surgery. Try not to do to much on good days to soon--- or trust me you may get some nasty flares ups. Just glad this in all behind you now.

Thanks mg neck problem, I thought it was normal, just checking lol!

I have an early postop appointment to check my bladder as they discovered post op that it hasn't been emptying completely. My DH did notice something was amiss before my op, but I put it down to my imagination . Anyway, I'll mention your concerns re the physio when I go .

The more nattering I do, the better my voice gets. First thing in the morning it's all over the place lol!
I've cut my painkillers down to night time only now. When I feel stiff & achey I walk about the house a bit, it seems to help a little. If it gets too much, I will take a painkiller .

Tender x

Dressing off & steri-strips left on for no other reason than I felt if they were left to dry out now they're open to the air, then they would just fall away naturally without being moistened & peeled off. I figured that as granulation occurs way beneath the skin surface then dead skin / scabs would also detach themselves naturally.

We have agreed that if i am in any way concerned regarding my wound, I'd go & have it checked.

So, we covered my wound temporarily & now I've enjoyed my 1st shower & hairwash ber-lisssss!!

Dressing off

Tender x

Didn't that feel good? I hope you feel better today, and that the pain has deminished. ginnie

[Hi Tenderfoot,

LOL--I remember the first day I could shower was the highlight of my week. I remember right afterwards I was exhaused . When I had cancer I was laid up in a bed 3 months, no showers ,spounge bath which dont make u feel clean. I remember I went thru all the hot water in one shower ---its funny I said I will never take that simple thing for granted anymore. Actually off topic-- when I bought a brand new built house--since showers are so important to me--- I knocked out exsiting shower and built enormous shower with tiles and shower heads everywhere . LOL

It certainly did Ginnie! I'm tender now as I've once again, been a bit too busy with pans & meals & stuff. I had to stop doing things & sit down for a while, then cracked on again when my DH came home.

I've bought o.t.c. cocodamol tabs 8 mgs codeine phosphate with 500mgs paracetamol today as the others were too strong at 30mgs codeine as I only need deep ache relief not severe pain relief. I've just taken one as I had my MST 1/2 an hour ago & don't want to risk anymore yet. It'd probably be ok but I just want to be careful

People keep telling me I've been through the wars but mg neck problem, you knock spots off mine! And that shower of yours sounds heavenly!
Tender x

I asked about this at my appt today & the nurse specialist understood exactly where you were coming from.

She explained, as has been a subject of debate on a different thread I started regarding collars, that:

1) it's often down to surgeon preference
2) If physio/ activity is started many weeks following surgery, neck stiffness / weakness often delays recovery
3) Insufficient evidence available to support the benefit in delaying physio & consistently wearing a collar.

I also asked about vacuuming, mopping etc & was told I CAN do those jobs AS LONG AS I DO IT IN SHORT BURSTS. She emphasised that I should be as active as I felt comfortable. The main issue I MUST be careful with is NO heavy lifting, raking or digging, YET.

I have carbon cages with a boney mixture (DBM) plus some of my non-diseased bone in the mix. Fusion of my 3 vertebrae should be more or less completed from 3-6 months! I saw the xray & the gaps where the discs have gone are very evident as were the cages, but you couldn't see what they looked like.

As a matter of interest, on the way home my DH informed me that the rear suspension springs on Fairway cabs are also made from carbon fibre!

Tender x

HI There Tender !!!! Thanks for looking into it --just take things slow --give yourself time to fuse a few months . I walked alot around the blocks with my dog. Just to keep body moving. How are you feeling this week??