I did have some PT, but it was just heat, ice, tens unit and ultra sound. It didn't really help and most of it I could have done at home. I wish they had done some massage because my neck muscles were so tight which has caused terrible headaches.
Did anybody do rehab post-op?
I had c5-7 acdf...6 months post op..I know 5 guys who had it as well..see the neurosurgeon (or 2) this is usually pretty routine..most of the folks in this forum are here because of unusual problems..good luck
I had an anterior cervical fusion of c4/5, 5/6, 6/7 four years ago and I have been very happy with the results. I had been in 24/7 excruciating pain prior to the surgery. Other than some post-op pain that goes away I haven't that kind of pain since. I am only now experiencing some tingling in my arms, but it is due to another level having a prolapsed disc. My advice is to get several opinions and make sure you are completely at ease with your neurosurgeon or orthopaedic spine surgeon. Check their credentials.
Thanks for the replies. I am definitely doing my research. The only things I can't decide is if I should use an orthopedic or a neurosurgeon and to have fusion with the surgery. My doctor didn't say anything about having fusion, but the research that I have been doing shows that maybe I should strongly consider that option.
"Discectomy alone is usually only used for younger patients (20 to 45 years old) whose symptoms are from herniation of the disc. But some surgeons think discectomy should always be combined with fusion of the bones above and below. They are concerned that the empty space where the disc was removed may eventually collapse and fill in with bone. Inserting a bone block during fusion surgery helps keep pressure off the spinal nerves because the graft widens the neural foramina. The neural foramina are openings on each side of the vertebrae where nerves exit the spinal canal. Most research on discectomy by itself shows good short-term benefits compared to discectomy with fusion. But more information is needed about whether the long-term results are equally as good."
How was the recovery after the surgery and did you do rehab?
I had an ACDF (C5-C7) two years ago. I've been in worse pain than I was prior to surgery ever since. There's no explaination to why I'm in so much pain except my NS said that a small precent of people are left with chronic pain afterwards and I also have nerve damage. I researched this surgery for months before I had it done. And the success rate was very good. Everyone that I talked to that either had the surgery or knew someone that had was very positive about it. But that's my luck to end up in pain management and probably having more surgery.
It sounds as if you have tried everything else with no relief. Even though the surgery didn't help me, lots of people have had success and are now living a normal life without pain. You are very young and that may be an advantage. It's a good idea to get a second or even a third opinion before going thru a surgery like this. Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going.
I had surgery for instability in the cervical spine. The surgery was 10 years ago in October. It was quite extensive fusing the top of a surgical opening in my skull to C5. I also had a discectomy years previous (probably anterior). It was much higher than the areas where you're having trouble & it was successful. I suggest you see a neurosurgeon to explore your options as you've seemed to have exhausted a lot of other things.