I agree with Ginnie. Make sure you get more than one opinion - 2 or 3 at least. Surgery is the last resort after all conservative measures have failed. I don't know if I can really give advice as I am only 8 weeks out from the same surgery. I had an ACDF on C4-7 on 3/19. I had severe spinal cord compression with the canal measuring about 5 mm at c5-6. As my neurosurgeon told me on several occasions, I was crushing my spine.

I really didn't have too many symptoms previous to surgery (which was why I was absolutely shocked by the results of my MRI). I had a little neck and pain in between my shoulders but my biggest complaint was numbness & tingling in my right thumb and pointer finger as well as the tips of my other fingers. So far, surgery hasn't fixed the numbness but I was told that it was still too early to tell if that will be permanent. I am still in the Aspen collar 24/7 and only drive up to 15 minutes per day where I live...no highways. I also still have a weight lifting restriction of 5 lbs. I go back next Thursday for my 2nd post-op appointment in which I will have an x-ray done. I'm praying they see some bone growth. I want this collar off. I also have a bone growth stimulator that I wear 24/7 as well. It is my understanding that I will continue to wear that for a while after the collar comes off.

At this point my physical activity is restricted to walking on flat surfaces...no inclines, hills, hiking, biking, running or pretty much anything else. We will see how long before I can begin adding in other exercise. I asked my neurosurgeon if I could run a 5K in July and was told absolutely no running for at least 6 months and we will revisit the issue then. I'm hoping I will be given the ok to run a few miles maybe 2 times per week, but who knows. At any rate, I have been walking 4-5 miles approximately 4 to 5 days per week. It is cathartic for me to get my heart rate up somewhat!

As for work, I was able to begin working from home less than 2 weeks after surgery. I began going in half days at 4 weeks and returned full time at 6 weeks. I work for a great company.

I guess that is it for now. Good luck with everything. I'll be thinking of you.

Annie -- Where IS your MRI??? I can't find it.

I think this is the MRI (posted in earlier thread here) -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread181174.html

Annie1023, We could merge the 2 threads so all information is together in one, let me know, or report the thread and request it if you would like them merged.

duh ~~~ my memory -- unfortunately it doesn't exist anymore.

I'm glad I at least SAW the MRI at one time. LOL

Annie, that's a BIG surgery to undergo. UNLESS your spinal cord is being impinged, and UNLESS you're in danger of permanent nerve damage, I would NOT let them do surgery, but I would go with physical therapy and stay with it!. Physical therapy many times can help with what ails you. LOL And it can reduce pain much better than surgery can. Surgery will probably not help your pain much at all. Surgery isn't for pain. It's only for mechanical problems. And after surgery, somewhere down the road you WILL need further surgery too, due to the "domino effect" that the doctors usually dont' tell you about. So think long and hard about surgery Annie. It's not all it's cracked up to be. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee