I have a herniated disc at C4-5 that is pressing on the nerve and a few more herniations that aren't causing me pain. I've also been told that I may have bone spurs.

I met with an orthopaedic surgeon today and he wants to do ACDF. He made it sound like it wouldn't be a big deal, but after reading posts and learning about the surgery, I don't think I want to do it.

I've tried the cortisone shots, physical therapy and pain meds (still on them) but nothing worked long-term Also, I've had to quit my job because of the pain.

If you've had this surgery, can you please tell me if it was worth it?

Thanks

Personally my surgery didnt go well, but others have had better luck, do some research on your surgeon, ask him for refrences ask other surgeons for them too. They may try to give you attitude but its better to know there sucess rate, number of surgerys and years of practice before you let them do something that cant be undone. Whether or not you should get it....well that will always be your call. Weigh the options and diff possible outcomes if you cant talk yourself into or out of it then you dont know enough to go either way, just keep researching it and ask diff doc's thats the best advice anyone can give you.


Ross

Personally I would go to a neurosurgeon rather than an ortho. These guys are trained differently. You really don't have much choice. If the pain is so bad that it caused you to quit your job you have to get it fixed. It won't get better on it's own.

However, I am not the poster child for ACDF. I had one done 3 years ago and it did not work. Neither level fused.

I used an OSS for a three level cervical fusion of C4/5, 5/6, 6/7. I have no regrets about this surgery. This was a 360 fusion with an incision in the back and one in the front. I have rods and screws in the back and screws and a plate in the front. I have no regrets about this surgery and would not hesitate to do it again. I wore a Philly collar for six weeks after the surgery and then a soft collar for a long time. My ROM is not bad...I do drive, but carefully...use my mirrors more now....

Surgery is a personal thing...You have to decide how much pain you can deal with both before and after. What your quality of life is like now...I was having a lot of nerve damage...pain down my arms...nerve pain that was not going to go away...numb fingers, dropping things, etc....

If you only have a frontal incision; this is not a bad surgery...If you need to have the 360; it is very painful...not going to lie to you....but you get through it...It is not for a life time; It is a few weeks...then you feel better...

I used a NSS for my lumbar laminectomy and would never use one again...I chose an OSS for my other surgeries...They seem to have more compassion for their patients...but that is just my opinion....

Agree with Stiffnecked and Gloria,

Just wanted to say I had an NS do both of my cervical fusions. The reason being is that the C3/C4 (had that done first) is a very serious level (phrenic nerve). If I have to have surgery on the lumbar, however, I would probably use the OSS within the same group. But the bottom line is...if the pain is that bad where you had to quit your job (I did too...retired), then something has to be done. Conservative measures are all well and good but they won't fix what is going on (bone spurs, arthritis, etc.).

And I don't regret my fusions either. Sure there is some residual pain but nothing as horrific as it used to be. As most people know, once you have this done there is no going back and your neck is changed forever. However, as Gloria said and in reflecting back, I am very glad I did it. The pain I have now or rather spasms from time to time, I can work with. The other...prior to any surgery was the worst pain I have ever had in my life. And when I say a 10 on the pain scale...I mean a definite 10...every day for 3 years straight! I have said it before and I will say it again. You could not see the nerve roots at the C3/C4; they were crushed with OA. I thank God to this day that the second NS I saw performed surgery immediately. So, there you have it...NOTHING would have fixed that short of surgery.

If your Ortho doc is suggesting a fusion...I would REALLY listen to him.

I had ACDF in December of 07. I don't regret it at all! I am almost back to 100%. I have very little pain (occasional muscle spasms when under stress) and am back to the gym (although the weights are light). I'm halfway fused as of last month. I had an orthopedic spine surgeon do the surgery and he did a marvelous job. I've had no reduction in range of motion and the only time I feel my plate is if I'm tired or stressed out -- then I sort of get a lump in my throat but it's not terrible.

I agree with Kathi - if your doctor suggests fusion, listen. And don't wait too long.

My recovery was no problem. I was back to work in six weeks (I have a desk job) although I probably could've gone back at four without any real issues.

It was by far one of the best decisions I could have made.

Good luck to you.

I had a C6-7 ACDF on 11/9/07, and honestly the surgery itself was a breeze. My doctor is a neck specialist and does more ACDF's than any other doctor in my city, so I felt very comfortable having him as my surgeon. I had a huge herniated disk and had no choice other than to have the surgery. I was having excruciating pain running down my left arm with muscle spasms and numbness in my thumb, index and middle fingers.

So I had the surgery, stayed in the hospital overnight and went home the next morning. At home, I had to sleep in a recliner for at least 2-3 weeks. It was too uncomfortable to lie flat, and I was afraid I might roll around in bed, so the recliner worked well.

Overall, I can say that I'm glad I had the surgery. I had some dysphagia (painful swallowing) at first, but the doctor said that's normal. I also still feel a "lump in my throat" from time to time, like Redhotbeads described. I asked my doctor about this and told him that I can feel the plate, but he assured me that I'm NOT feeling the plate. So what is "the lump?" Sometimes I feel like I'm having muscle spasms in my throat. I hope this will resolve in time. Has anyone else had this problem?

The lump should go away with time. Just remember...they had to push everything aside to get at the spine. I don't know if you guys have watched the video on that but if you did, you would see the retractors they use! Sometimes I will have spasms...especially in the summer and I will feel like I am being choked. But it also depends if I have overdone it or not. I will just put it this way. My NS said I would FOREVER feel something weird LOL! And yes, it can be painful at times. But I do NOT regret the surgeries either. I was in horrific pain before either one of them. So, the spasms I can deal with; either get injections from another irritated nerve root or just take a Valium on occasion. So far so good and no domino effects yet either. Just hang in there and I think you will find (because it can take up to a year), that the lump feeling should go away. And, yes, your doc is right...you are NOT feeling the plate. I said the same thing after both my surgeries...but it is not the plate at all.

Hi All!
I had ACDF on c5/6 and 6/7 on feb 14 2007. I highly recommend the procedure if you are in that much pain...I was and it worked well. I am over a year out now, but was back to work in 3 weeks, and I do heavy work. My neuro used cages and plates, no bone at all. I strongly recommend this approach, as you don't need to wait for fusion to occur...it is a mechanical fusion. I went home the next day, no hard or soft collar, slept in my own bed from day one. I had difficulty swallowing for a few weeks, and still make sure I have a glass of water when I eat.
Hope this helps!
Dave

Ms24kAu and Redhotbeads,

I had difficulty swallowing for about three to four months...maybe six...I am trying to remember, but it has been almost three years...but it all subsided...I think when I overdid it ...the neck tended to swell or that area tended to swell and then I had difficulty swallowing...but as you heal...it does take a while...it will all go away and things will go back to normal....