10 Days Post ACDF

[Ivxample]

Hi all,

I am 10 days post op from two level ACDF surgery. My recovery has generally been quite good. I am walking a mile each day and getting stronger.

However over the last couple of days I have been experiencing some sporadic arm weakness in both arms. I had a little bit of weakness before my surgery in my right arm only. But since the surgery I seem to be getting it in both arms and am a little concerned that the surgery may have done more damage to the nerves I was trying to get some relief on.

Is this normal and just part of the nerve recovery process?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Iv

[SHC_61]

Thanks for the info ivxample.
I am surprise to see such a big difference with your out of pocket expenses and what my surgeon quoted me. I was told it would be around 30K out of pocket for ADR as there is no cover by neither Medicare nor private health fund in Australia. I shall try contact your hospital and surgeon for more details and check with my health fund again. I am with NIB Gold Top over with no excess.

[Ivxample]

Hi SHC,

Yes I had carbon fibre disc replacements on two levels and fusion. I am not sure exactly what type of steel they used but my neurosurgeon recommended that for my situation, this was the best solution and would result in the speediest recovery.

As for the cover, I have private with HBA (not Blue Ribbon but the one under that) and I still found myself out of pocket around $3000 The hospital stay was around $500 for the excess, neuro was a flat $800, neuro assistant around $500, anaesthetic $750 etc. I don't think it made a difference to my coverage if the surgery was ADR or bone graft (not that I was told anyway).

Because this surgery is elective, expect to be stung especially if you are having it done at a private hospital.

All the best in your decison making :)

[sharadale]

I also experience GERD.the doctor told me to take Prilosec everyday to reduce this. The pain meds can interfere with appetite by causing naseau. If you take your meds with a small amount of food this will help with that as well.
Today was a pretty good day for me. I had a lot of pain the last couple of days and was taking pain meds and muscle relaxer. I had stopped taking them and was very upset that I had to take them again. Last night I realized that I was shrugging my shoulders without realizing it, so this morning I took only the muscle relaxer and made a conscious effort to relax my shoulders. This made such a difference in my day.
Hope u all feel better soon.

[Katieroc]

Hi "lv".  I definitely had a loss of appetite (couldn't finish a cup of soup) a week post-op and when I could get solids down, I really couldn't finish a small portion for 2+ weeks after that.  I'll bet within the next few days you'll be feeling up to eating more and more.  Pain meds can also suppress appetite (and increasing nausea), but you are doing really well with them.  Far better than I at that stage post-op.  But when you have severe pain, sometimes you have no choice but to take your meds.  As far as burping, I find myself doing it so frequently and at really embarrassing moments!  As I said before, the feeling of obstruction in my throat and the GERD are the most bothersome to me.  Yesterday, I had a very good day with my "throat" so that was encouraging.

Unfortunately, I had to wear the collar for the 6 weeks based on my doctor's recommendation.  Probably because I had a 3 level and needed the extra stability.  It very much weakened the neck muscles just like being a leg or arm cast.  When I finally took it off for good I had the feeling I couldn't hold my head up!  That has gotten so much better and I have to believe the PI will help.  I'm actually off there right now.  I will keep you posted on how I make out with it.

I hope you continue to get stronger each day, lv.  Hang in there!

Katieroc

[SHC_61]

Hi sharadale,

I agreed with you. I would most probably choose ACDF with Zimmer Trabecular Metal (TM) and tricalcium phosphate and titanium plate since I can’t afford the ADR. I heard it might cost around AUD30K for a disc replacement.

I have also multiple bulging lumbar discs (L3-S1) with annulus tear at L4/5 which have causing me on going pains and referred symptoms down my legs. So I would really like to avoid anymore trauma to my pelvic region.

I heard story about metal implants are sensitive to temperature changes. Recipient would feel pain and discomfort especially when the weather turns cold. Is this true?

[SHC_61]

Apologize for multi posting. Didn’t realize I have posted four times! I hit the “Post Comment” button once but the website was hanged for more than 15 minutes with the progress bar stop at half way. So I closed it and reopened it and tried the second time and it hanged again. I thought there was a website problem and just closed it again. I presumed it didn’t go through and was going to give it another go tonight. Luckily I checked first... (Red face) sorry.