Thanks lee

I had my three level acdf surgery (c5 to t1) on April 10, 2013. Six weeks and two days ago. I was scared to death but I decided to put my trust in my surgeon and to set goals for myself.

My first goal was to stand and walk as soon as possible. This I did immediately after leaving the recovery room.

The second goal was to take as little pain medication as possible. Therefore, I did not use the morphine hooked up to the IV line. I got off the oxycodone and valium at the end of my first week of recovery and even then only took one quarter of what was allowed.

Third, I wanted to leave the hospital early. So I only spent one night.

Fourth, I started work after a couple days (it is sedentary).

Fifth, I vowed not to complain and meet each day with a smile and renewed hope.

I know I am lucky. But I sincerely believe attitude matters.

I began driving after two weeks. Once you are off narcotics there is no reason you cannot drive.

I did wear my brace for the full six weeks and I do try to be careful about the weight restrictions. Otherwise, life is pretty normal and I can once again sleep at night.

Am I completely pain free, no, of course not. But it is night and day as compared to the last 9 years. My surgeon told my wife that my bone spurs were so severe that he could not believe I wasn't in for surgery five years earlier. I guess I've always been obstinate, but I am glad that I finally had the surgery. I'm looking forward to complete recovery and really hoping that my three level fusion takes and that there will be no need to go back in anytime soon.

Best of luck.

Hi I agree with Maxx!!



Postive attitude is so important. I had c4-c7 in 2010 no regrets gave me my life back. The recovery from surgery itself for me was no bad at all. The pain prior to surgery was horrible. Im grateful everyday to my surgeon when I wake up. With a two level fusion you should have a excellent range of motion.

Hi, in regards to your range of motion. You will be just fine! I am fused C3-7, and had two rounds of PT. I still do the excersises with a large type of rubberband. I do have good range of motion. In driving, I do release the seat belt, to look over my shoulder in changing lanes in traffic. That is my only thing I do different. You will have good range of motion, and you should be able to drive just fine. ginnie

Thanks to everybody for all your positive energy, it definitely helps. I know surgery on fixes the mechanics but i hope it also relieves the neck pain and I also hope the nerve damage to my arms/hands isn't permanent, I hit that eighteen month mark in June.

I see the surgeon again in two weeks and I'll see what he has to say.

@maxxdog I wish after this one surgery I'd be able to get off the meds and move forward, but there is still the damage to my back that affects my legs. As for working, my job already retired me on total disability. So i get to figure out how to enjoy my retirement. Also if i waited to be off narcotics to drive i wouldn't have been driving the past 2 1/2 years.

Hope every one enjoys the long weekend. I'll keep you updated.

Sweetie, I doubt you'll get off your pain meds after surgery -- but YOU might be a miracle case. LOL Let us know anyway, okay? We'd surely like to know.

I wish you ALL the luck, my friend. I'm praying this works for you! God bless! Hugs, Lee

I'm still having problems) and damage / injury to my cervical spine. Since the accident I've tried all the conservative treatments including injections, acupuncture, physical therapy, heat, cold, pain medications and muscle relaxants plus all the tests. I've been seen by 4 Orthopedic Surgeons, 2 pain management doctors and 2 Neurosurgeon.

My neck has been in constant pain since the accident the only thing that changes is the intensity, the pain medications and heat help, but they only make the pain bearable (most times). In the beginning it was only sharp pain, stiffness and burning, but in September I started having pains in my left arm and wrist with loss of strength, numbness and loss of feeling in my hand and fingers. .

In October one of the Orthopedic surgeons recommended a 2-3 level fusion at c4/5, c5/6, and c6/7. His demeanor made me uncomfortable so I walked out and I've since had a 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion and the one thing they agree on is that c4/5 has to be fused. The surgeon that I finally settled on has given me a month to basically wrap my head around the inevitable surgery, so I'm probably looking at surgery in late June or July.

That leads me here, I found this wonderful forum after the first doctor suggested surgery, I've learned a lot and It's great to hear stories from people who actually understand some of what I'm feeling. I wanted a chance to tell my story and get any suggestion or feedback from the great people on this site.

A little about me I'm in my early forties, my job recently retired me on full disability and besides the injuries from this accident I also have a partially torn ligament in my right ankle, numbness and loss of feeling and strength in my right hand and wrist, 4 herniated discs in my back that affects both my legs and feet, plus I had surgery Ito repair a full thickness tear in my right rotator cuff all from a injury a work.

Since this was so brief I'll add the info from my most recent MRI next.[/QUOTE]

So I was hit at a stop light as well. Car totaled. The pain I felt immediately. Headaches and such but then the numbness and weakness in my arms just got worse. I couldn't lift anything. I had to quit my job. The pain slowly moved to my legs. I'm 34 and I felt like I was sixty years old.I was so terrified to get surgery(since I've never had it before)but it was so worth it. everything was just going to get worse. I don't feel completely better it can take up to a year. My doctor said that the tissue in the spine grows back at a millimeter per month.. whatever pain I feel now would be much better than what it could have been. My surgeons told me that I could have been paralyzed within a few years. I hope everything works out and I hope you have a good lawyer. make sure you have someone to take care of you for at least a month.

You did great with getting all those opinions. You are armed with knowledge. That alone should make you feel more comfortable about surgery. I hope this turns out OK for you, and that your pain level goes down. There can be very good outcomes for surgery. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know how you do. ginnie

Well I saw my surgeon today and I will be having a one level ACDF @ C4-C5, but I have to wait for workers comp to approve it. He is going to go over my MRI and X-Ray to ensure he doesn't have to change it to two level fusion.

Here are the answers to the questions I asked him.

With a one level fusion I WONT have a neck brace.
He will be using bone from my PELVIS.
I'll be in the hospital for at LEAST two days.
& His entire medical group uses the same local hospital so their patients are treated EXCEPTIONALLY well .

My question of the day, is there anything else I need to ask him. As always thanks in advance for your help.

Yes, ask him why he doesn't use donar bone. taking bone from the pelvis is much harder on a person. I would want an EXACT answer, and then I would get another opinion. Wish you all the best. ginnie