Anterior Cervical Disectomy W/Fusion Recovery

[camerd]

I have never posted anything to a forum, but I have to agree with Ronin, there must be success stories out there. My doctor told me that I needed anterior cervical discestomy w/fusion C5-C7. I reseached the internet and decided I should go for the surgery. If I read these forums before surgery, I would have chickened out. I was scared because my brother-in-law had the surgery three years ago which resulted in his being confined to a wheelchair. After three years he is still undergoing surgery. I had a right to be scared but I didn't want to lose the use of my right arm. My surgery was October 17, 2006. On October 19th I went home. I am recovering and except for taking 2 hydrocodone and the scar on my neck, you can not tell that I had surgery. By the 20th of Oct. I was helping my wife with dishes, I drove my pick-up, and feel very well. Today is October 30th and I was raking leaves. I still take it easy, but I was blessed by having an excellent doctor. Since the surgery I don't have the daily headaches, my arm pain comes and goes but is not as bad as before the surgery. Bottom line is that I feel my surgery was very successful and recovery will be quick. I know there are others out there that have had success. Yes it was scary deciding on the surgery, but I'm glad I did.

[Bill1993]

I had ACDF C2-C4 on June 21, 2011. I stayed in the Hospital for about 36 hours. I am 55 years old and was told that recovery would take about 3 weeks and could return to work then on light duty. Because of my line of work, Law Enforcement, the light duty was not an option and was told 6 weeks. The hard collar came off after the 3 weeks and the I was in a soft collar for another 3 weeks. Iam 7 weeks post op now and the soft collar was taken off last friday.

However, Iam still having pain in my hip at the bone graft site. I was told to rest the hip and stay off work until 8 weeks post op. At this point I dont know when to return to work as it is very physically demanding.

Has anyone gone thru the hip pain issue and can make any suggestions as to what I can do to better it. Thanks.

[Harpone]

How you doing?

[Harpone]

I'm a 35 man fron Spain and I have exactly the same surgery than you except for the hip graft: C2 C4 anterior cervical fusion. If you want we can share experiencies.
Hope you the best, I'm stil fighting.

[mingleleo]

can you recommend the surgeon you had ? Thanks

[BanjoJones]

That was supposed to read 18 months after surgery.... NOT 18 surgeries..

[BanjoJones]

I think things have changed dramatically over the past few years and since people began writing about their experience. I also believe I had an exceptional Neurosurgeon. Prior to surgery I had terrible pain. Day of surgery, checked into hospital around noon, and in the OR for about 2 hours. There was much more damage than visible on the MRI including a "profound" 'bone spur' and more bone damage, making plate placement challenging. All that translated into an additional hour of surgery that was not anticipated. Had cadaver bone graft with Ti plate and screw fusion at C4-5.... After time in recovery, I was discharged an hour later. Yup, ACDF is an outpatient surgery in this neck of the woods (so to speak). 8 hours in and out.
I was discharged with no collar of any kind, no PT then or ever after and basic limitations along the lines of "don't be an idiot and go bungee jumping or ski jumping". I had no pain, didn't take pain meds at any time after the surgery for pain from the surgery, and felt absolutely wonderful relative to the pain before surgery. I'm sure I had pain meds on board and they were sufficient to carry me into the next day.  I caught myself carrying 5Gal of sand from under the house 2 days later, and had to stop myself thinking this might be in the category of "idiot" I have high pain tolerance... but the surgery itself was the point of total relief.
I have and probably always will have some degree of "numbness" as I waited too long. And no pain. No problems since then. Only recently, 18 s/post surgery am I now having increasing loss of voice, so its time to see ENT r/o organic process then off to neurosurgeon to check for loose or shifting plate or screws, or maybe a tad of scar tissue. No pain, just increasing loss of voice. So for all of those contemplating this surgery, like it was said before, have it sooner than later, and hold firmly to knowing that things have changed dramatically and you will be among the 90-95% success group. Best Wishes for ya on this journey.

[sarahma2]

Thank you for your positive comment -- I'm scheduled to have this surgery on Oct. 1, 2014, and after reading this forum, I'm scared to death!  My surgeon told me he has a 90-95% success rate and that I will be exercising fully, back to cycling and swimming vigorously in 4-5 months, back to work in 6-8 weeks.  I am optimistic and take good care of myself generally.  These posts are so negative!  I'm sorry so many people are having such a hard time, but I need to stop reading this now, and go stretch.  Wish me luck!  

[mom_mj]

My 19 yr old son was involved in a serious car accident where he was ejected from the vehicle considering this he suffered mostly minor injuries however he had to have c7 and t1 fused together because they were pressing on his spinal cord but spinal cord was intact. It only had some minor bruising. We just got home from the hospital today and it is a fight to continue to get him to walk. He acts like he just wants to give up because of the pain he is in. I on the other hand will not let him. I am being the drill sgt and making him get up and walk every 2 hrs. I am in tears most of the time because I am tired. he seems totally satisfied to lay in his bed and take pain meds. My question is what kind of time frame am I looking at before the pain eases and he is able to walk without so much pain. I realize this is not going to be an overnight process but just to give me an idea of the fight I am in for consistently? Are there any other excercises he can do to strengthen himself? I am concerned because he was such an active kid and now seems to have given up. I will not let him lay down! Just not going to happen!!! Please someone give me some help in looking toward a goal timewise. thanks mom-mj

[Shadowlucky]

That's exactly what I told the PT.  I try to be positive but that only gets you so far.  One thing that is frightening me a bit is that I am four months post op and I had a new PT come in last week to the place I go.  He was the one who gave me a pep talk about attitude and he also had me lay on the table and he pulled and stretched on my neck.  He pulled my neck slowly but so hard that the rest of my body moved up.  Do you think this is ok, Kalvin.  I am afraid that if my fusion isn't totally fused, this will cause it to separate or something. I mean, I know the plate is there to keep it firmly in place. I don't know.  Im sure the guy knows what he is doing, but I am so afraid that he is pulling too hard and stretching the neck vertebra too much.  He also did some firm massaging to my neck and when he rubbed on the spot that hurt to begin with years ago on the back left side, it made me realize that it isn't any better in that spot either.  And when I got up this morning after this being done yesterday, my neck is swollen underneath my ear to the bottom of my neck on the left side which is also where the incision was made anteriorly.  Maybe this is all normal.  Maybe I have unrealistic fear of him hurting the very thing that they just tried to fix, or maybe I am worrying over nothing, but I know I have to trust him.  He's the one that is suppose to know what he is doing.  Just scarey.  

[Kalvin]

Yeah, I did the cadaver bone, plate thing myself. Twice. Bone spurs are just arthritis that forms as in all the other joints in the body. Problem is, in the spine not only do they effect movement, but they can pinch nerves as well.

Attitude is important, I agree. But after awhile a person can't help but get a little discouraged, it's only natural.

Take Care

[Shadowlucky]

Hi Kalvin, I had a cadaver bone inserted into C-5, C-6 area with titanium plate.  No, I did not have this pain before the surgery under the collar bone.  That's what bothers me so much.  At first, I thought, wow, all the pain I had before was on my left side, and now after the surgery, not only is it worse, but it is more on the right.  The only thing I can figure is that the muscles and ligaments that were pulled to get the new cadaver in, caused the pain.  I don't know, but he did tell me that there would be a lot of pain just after surgery because of all the pulling and stretching they had to do down the shoulders and middle of the back.  Also, since I had so many bone spurs, I don't know if maybe that caused the pain to be more severe.  I don't really even understand what a bone spur is and what causes it or if getting rid of them during surgery, causes more post op pain.  My PT told me today that a lot my attitude, will affect whether or not how quickly I will get better.  I told him I try to be positive, I really do, but when I get up in the morning, plant my feet on the floor and walk to the coffee pot in so much pain, the minute I get up, the harder it gets to stay positive when I don't see progress.  He says four months is really not a long time to feel that great yet, and to give it time, so I am trying to direct the anger and frustration into the exercises I do and walking a lot.  But I'm with you, if the surgeon would at least act as though he understood that you do have pain and let you know it will take time instead of just saying, I don't know and shrugging his shoulders, it would sure make me feel more like he cared instead of making me feel like, well, I've got your money now, and did my job, deal with it and go away!  Yeh, right...Gee thanks...That's how I feel.  lol

[Kalvin]

I did a lot of research after surgery myself, its only normal when no one really has any answers for you and you feel like your not progressing like you should.

In my experience surgeons tend to look at things a certain way. You identify the problem or defect, and you correct it. Theoretically, everything should work out great. Given that kind of mindset, one can understand why they say things to post-op patients like” I don’t know why you’re having pain” or “sorry there’s nothing else I can do for you”. In their mind, they’ve done all they can do. End of story.  I praise the Doctor that has the decency to tell you that your operation might not take all your pain away. At least that way we would have such high expectations. Sorry for the rant.


Yes, I’ve heard of TOS. It is a syndrome, but my understanding is that it can be diagnosed. What Cervical level did you have done, and how many? Did you have the same symptoms you have now prior to surgery? Have you had an post-op MRI? I have a couple fingers that are still numb 8 years afterwards, I was told the nerve damage was too severe to heal. I had one surgery back in 2005 and another about 3 years ago. The tingling isn’t too bad; I have pain in my shoulder and scapular area, constantly, some facial numbness,arm strength is about 60%. I’d say I received about 50%-60% pain reduction from the 2 procedures, much less than I was lead to believe.

You mentioned that you were seeing another Doctor, are any of them proving helpful or offer guidance in terms of what is exactly going on with you, and what can be done?

[Shadowlucky]

Hey Kalvin, Thank you for your reply.  You know, I started researching my symptoms since my surgery and I found something that sounds exactly what I am feeling right down to the very last symptom.    
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Neurogenic (neurological) thoracic outlet syndrome. This form of thoracic outlet syndrome is characterized by compression of the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that come from your spinal cord and control muscle movements and sensation in your shoulder, arm and hand. In the majority of thoracic outlet syndrome cases, the symptoms are neurogenic.
Thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms can vary, depending on which structures are compressed. When nerves are compressed, signs and symptoms of neurological thoracic outlet syndrome often include:
• Wasting in the fleshy base of your thumb (Gilliatt-Sumner hand)
• Numbness or tingling in your fingers
• Pain in your shoulder and neck
• Ache in your arm or hand
• Weakening grip
I have complained about my right thumb to the surgeon ever since the surgery.  I am unable to grip anything in my right hand with that thumb.  My fingers tingle and oh, the pain across and under the collar bone.  Sometimes worse than other times but always constant. I don't know what can be done about it, and I know I shouldn't self diagnose; but it makes sense to me and since the surgeon doesn't want to admit something is wrong, I find myself searching for an answer elsewhere.  From what I can see online it is called neuro TOE.  Have you heard of this?

[Kalvin]

The surgeons always say they don't know what's causing your pain, and maybe they don't. But the fact of the matter is that many people have severe pain after these procedures, so don't let them make you feel like you're the only one. My pain was much worse afterwards.

It can take a long time to recover from a ACDF my 1st took about 8 months and I was by no means back to normal.

Try to hang in there, need to chat, you can find me on the Back and Neck Forum.

Take Care

[Shadowlucky]

Hi Douglas, I am 4 months post op and still having a tremendous amount of pain under the colar bone, shoulder pain, numbness in my right thumb and tingling in my pointer and middle finger on the right hand.  I am quite concerned.  I have swelling under the colar bone on the left side very often.  Some kind of inflammation but don't know what it is or what is causing it.  The surgeon sent me to PT after three months, two times a week for eight weeks.  He says he doesn't know why I am having pain, and shrugs it off.  This makes me feel angry with him when I think about it and irritable on a daily basis because I feel like a person who is in the wrong body.  I have always been rather physical and a busy person and now I am lucky to make it through a day without resting.  I hope your surgery gets better Douglas.  I am wishing you luck and please keep me posted.  It interests me to know how things are going as time passes, and I will keep up with you on what is happening with me, as well.  

[Shadowlucky]

Hi Beth, I have been in twice as much pain since my surgery than I was before the surgery.  I was expecting it to be the other way around.  After 3 1/2 months post-op, I talked to my surgeon.  In looking at the x-rays, he says everything is looking good after his six week xray check.  I asked him why I am in so much pain, he shrugs his shoulders and says I don't know.  He does not believe in any kind of narcotic pain medication other than NSAIDS and tylenol but I am very upset because I am in so much pain and cannot function without the meds.  I have gone back to my original pain management specialist for the pain medication and he seems to be okay with me taking them, so that Ic an function in day to day life. Even though the narcotic pain meds help, it is not a resolution.  The pain is much less intense when taking them but still always there. I also took the advice of the surgeon and started PT a week ago.  I have been to two appointments and the pain is even more excruciating.  I know this is part of it in getting better (at least I think that is what is suppose to be happening) but I cannot sleep in my bed.  I sleep in a recliner because it is more comfortable and I awaken much more often when I am sleeping in bed tossing and turning.  I am 54 years old and cannot retire.  My husband relies on me for our insurance and income. I teach Pre-K so always on my feet and moving.  I have always loved my job but have been out on medical leave and then the summer since then.  I only have about three more weeks before school starts.  I am afraid to go back.  I don't know if I am ready for this.  I have always been a "be all you can be" kind of person (from being in the Army reserve), but since the surgery, I have never been the same person, with this nagging neck and shoulder pain with numbness, tingling, and upper body weakness.  I worry everyday that I can't be the person I was before.  I feel like someone stuck in a body that doesn't belong to me and I don't know what to do to resolve it and get back to the person I once was.  Any insight to that?  I feel a little better reading these posts and knowing I am not alone.  

[DouglasTrent]

I'm a 46 year old male that woke up to numbing pain (cervical radiculopathy) on right hand/arm about 3 months ago.  This was due to a herniated disc at C 6-7 compressing on nerves.  I was mainly suffering from numbing/tingling in right hand along with muscle weakness.  Had a few epidural steroid injections which helped the pain but not the numbness or weakness.  On 6/5 I had an artificial disc replacement (Synthes ProDisc-C) due to concern of permanent nerve damage and loss of right arm function, I'm right handed and extremely active.  I'm 3 weeks post-op and still have numbness in right hand, which I was told I'm having a significant inflammatory response.  Also, still don't have much of a voice and wondering when I need to be concerned.  As a sales guy I need to be able to communicate effectively.  Currently on short term disability and a bit concerned.  I know voice/swallowing issues are a surgical risk and everyone's recovery is different but wanted to know if anyone has experienced similar a road to recovery?  Thanks for the kind consideration!

[Shadowlucky]

I had an anterior cervical disc. with fusion ten weeks ago.  This was due to a degenerative disk disease, not an accident.  I have been careful.  Doing what I am and am not suppose to be doing but yesterday I was at work and was trying to push the lock down to clamp it on a Sentry lock box.  It would not shut.  Too much junk in it.  I pushed to hard because I had to get it locked.  I felt a pain in the back of my neck on the right side like somebody stabbed me.  Since then my neck has hurt.  Not really bad but enough that it bothers me.  Do you think it will pass or did I do something terribly wrong.  

[Beth5555]

I am afraid that I may be looking at my 6th c-spine surgery sometime soon, and am seeking opinions on whether or not I'm right.  Brief history - 2007 - hemilaminotomy, c4-5 - failed, followed by 2 level acdf, c4-5-6-7. .  Continued pain followed by another hemilaminotomy c3-4 in 2009.   Continued pain - acdf c3-4 in early 2010 - false union of joint - followed by posterior cabling of c3-4 and repositioning of plate.  I wore a hard collar and a bone stimulator for 3 months post-op.  So, I'm fused C3-C7 (I think - it's easy to lose track).

Reasonable recovery following all this.  Still on methadone 30mg/daily, diazapam for muscle spasms and vicodin 500 for breakthrough pain.  We went through financial crises in 2010 (foreclosure - mostly due to medical bills).  Partner lost job in 2012, and haven't had insurance since then.  Partner's working again, but we still don't have benefits - I'm close to court hearing for SSI appeal.  I found a doc willing to prescribe my pain meds, but for financial reasons, haven't had my spine evaluated since 2011.  I have fairly continuous mild to moderate L neck, shoulder and arm pain - parasthesias in L arm and hand. Parasthesias include numbness in number 4 and 5 fingers on L hand.  Can't sleep over 3-4 hours at a time because of pain and numbness.  Wake up with hands numb all the time  I've got loss of fine motor control in L hand and moderate loss of strength

We've had to move a couple of times, and I've had to do some pretty heavy lifting.  I think I may have "screwed the pooch" with my neck.  I'm having increased neck and shoulder pain - increased posterior headaches.  Weird pain that I had with the last false union - pain and pressure at the back of my tongue and throat, hard to describe - like pain in the middle of your skull - neuro said before that was indicative of movement at the fusion site.  That pain did appear after the cabling and re-positioning of the plate.  I'm also wondering if I might have busted a cable or a screw.

So - has anyone gone through something like this?  Does it sound like the last fusion re-failed?  
I can't have surgery anytime soon - no insurance.  My plan is to ask my internist to order flexion/extension c-spine x-rays and have a radiologist compare them to the last ones.  I may just have to put up with the increased pain for awhile, or at least till we get insurance again.  The only positive is that this may help cinch disability - I swear it's the only thing I've gone through in my life where I would have to say "Yay!  I'm worse!"  Again, I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts or advice.  Thanks, Beth

[rusty1168]

hello, im new to this site, i just had anterior disectomy fusion c5/c6 and spinal decompression, i had a contusion to my spine as well and was suffering from myelopathy, i am i fireman and had a bad fall at work, was having weakness in all extremities and numbness and tingly on my whole left side, weakness got real bad weak leading up to surgery, my Dr rushed my surgery within a week of seeing my MRI which i am grateful for. i just wanna say im 8 days post surgery and i feel much better already, my strength feels stronger everyday and my balance when i walk is also getting much better, i cant wait till i can get this collar off and start PT but do not want to rush the recovery process. i am in high hope to return to work and be as close to 100% as possible. my only complaint i have at this time and i know it is still early post operation but i still have numbness to my left hand which i can live with and a tingly sensation to my left thigh that i am a bit worried about, i just hope it is not due to the cord bruise and will not cause weakness so hopefully over time that will resolve as well also from the incision to my jaw line is still numb. so far i am very happy with the surgery dont have pain in my shoulders or arms anymore but im still on pain meds which im taking less eachday, as long as that sensation goes away in my left leg and does not cause weakness i will consider this a full 100% recovery and thats with a spinal cord injury and having myelopathy which most people fortunately dont experience. so lets all stay positive and take one day at a time, any advice from anyone with more experience would greatly be appreciated thank you and god bless

[Socialworker2403]

I am a 55 yr old female clinical counselor.  I have fibromyalgia and before my accident was on anti-inflammatory meds, weekly acupuncture and massage therapy.  Dec 11 2012 I had my ACDF C5-7 done by a neurosurgeon.  Pain in shoulder blade and right arm was gone right out of surgery.  Back to work part-time in 3 weeks.  Driving to work.  Vocal chords would swell if talking too much so I had to loosen the cervical collar.  The worse part of the whole ordeal is wearing the hard cervical collar 24/7 except showering.  I have to sleep on my back which I can't stand.  Resistance is low, learned to pace myself.  The more fatigued I get the more muscle cramping I get-which I attribute to no anti-infammatory for 6 months and no acupuncture or massage therapy until collar comes off.  I was informed of all risks and told when pain was severe enough I would let the doc know.  By accident being caught between 2 doors broke off a piece of the disk onto the nerve root causing instantaneous searing pain.  I highly recommend the acupuncture & massage therapy.

[rudie240]

I was confused when Dr.'s were referring to neck pain when most of my pain was the shoulder blade, pain down the outer left arm, elbow and numbness in the baby and ring finger. That was 3 years ago when I ended up in emergency thinking I was having a heart attach or stroke. Since then there has been Lyrica, Ultrium, patches, gabapentin, chlorzoxazone and little bit of therapy. For two and one half years I did fine and didn't have to take meds. Then it came back with neck pain, again not able to move my left arm. Can't wait to get home and prop myself up like a manniken, back on pills and even reached up and found some steroids and started taking those. I'm not overdosing, but I have increased my dosage of meds. Got an MRI and it said "It demonstrated degenerative disc disease. There was a right-sided posterolateral disc herniation at C45 and at C67. There was a broad disc herniation at C56. I've made a decision based on what I have read here to go for it. Seems people have had better results with bone grafts (even if the hip is sore). Seems that not many people have as many disc messed up as me. I was concerned about range of motion and not having the help post-surgery more than anything else. Got an appointment Wednesday and will keep you posted on everything. I am going to Dr. Claybrooks in Southfield, Michigan and may get an second opinion somewhere else. (maybe University of Michigan) Just to have an option of Doctors. I already know its not going to get better. Take care everybody!

[RWebs]

is anyone still posting on here?

[Ianster]

My mother is 77 with congestive heart failure and is in desperate need of this Anterior Cervical surgery. We are wondering about who and where is the best surgeon for this operation. My mother was told she has severe critical cervical stenosis of the neck. What are the chances, percent of something going wrong? She needs to have her spinal canal widened. The bones are pressing very hard on her spine. I was told there was only a tiny opening ? 4 millimeters?  We are in upstate New York.

[Markep123]

I used Dr. Tanvir Choudhri at Mt. Sinai in New York.  He is top notch.

[Rosey511]

Who was your surgeon? I hear some good results but no one posts a name.