Anterior Cervical Discectomy Pre-Post Surgery

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I had my cervical spine surgery about 5 weeks ago now, I am doing fine, I rarely even took medication for pain afterwards. I felt great relief right after the surgery. Before surgery I couldn't barely walk anymore I was getting so bad. The only discomfort I had once in a while and especially right after the surgery was getting comfortable to sleep. The top part of your back is swollen and sore, but not really painful so I did take some meds the first week to sleep except they did the opposite and kept me up all night. I was very scared especially as they were preparing me for surgery because I was brave till then and then they explained once again how serious and the complications that could arise. But once they knocked me out in 2 and half hours I was done and was drinking and eating right away and I did so well my neurosurgeon let me go home the same evening. No one including the nurses could believe it but I felt better at home in my own bed. I would not go to an orthopaedic surgeon for such a serious operation because of the nerves and the possible dangers you definitely need the best which is a neurosurgeon. I am more worried about the scar going away on my neck now then anything else. I start physical therapy next week and the only thing is that some of the pain and symptoms could come back because of the muscle use again. But be brave and have it done you will feel better maybe not 100% but even anything over 70% or more like I feel is a great relief. Laughing

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andik · Newbie Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 1

Hi,
I am reading these posts and had a very different experience. I had acdf on 9/14 for c-3, c-4-5, c5-6, with donor bone graft and a titanium plate inserted. It is now 9/24 and I have been back at work (computer job at home/client site) since 9/20 with frequent nap and advil breaks.

I had significant pain for the 1st 3-5 days and took vicadin, laid in bed, didn't do much and was very stiff on any movement. I took slow walks around the neighborhood and even got in a taxi (with collar) to go to an appt.

Surgeon told me not to wear any collar unless I am in a moving vehicle or in any danger of getting jostled so as I live in Manhattan I wear it at the movies, walking on a busy street and in any moving vehicle.

My problems really centered around stiffness and trouble swallowing. Now I just feel like I have a steel plate in my neck and extreme fatigue on walks over 5 blocks or activity and will take a nap at about 5pm every day.

Good luck!

bradalaska · Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

This is probably one of the most difficult decisions to make. It was easier for me to know what to do because we went through all of this 2 years ago with my wife. A drunk driver hit her. She used a donor bone and the surgery took and she's doing well. She wore the collar for the full time to heal until set and then as needed afterwards. 6 months recovery was her experience. You're never the same, but preventing it from getting worse "permanent nerve damage " is important. Her quality of life is much improved over what it was pre-surgery. But at best she's only 50% of what she was before the accident. Before surgery she was almost completely disabled and in constant pain.

As for myself I'm recovering fine. When I woke up the pain in my chest was gone, it had been feeling like someone had been sitting on it for a couple of months and it was getting worse. The creeping numbness convinced me to have surgery. I know if nerves are trapped too long that they can die. After surgery it wasn't bad. I was filled with horror stories about using the hipbone, and it did hurt the worst, but nothing like I thought it would. I've had sprains and toothaches that hurt much worse. It didn't affect mobility either I was up and walking 2 days later. I had to have the hip graft because of my diabetes, after reading everything and experiencing it I would probably use my hip graft even if I didn't have diabetes because of the better chance of acceptance, and the inconvenience and pain was minor.

The most difficult thing in all of this is dealing with the boredom. If you want to heal properly you need to stay in bed or recline for about 22 hours a day. The other 2 hours is for short walks and sitting up for meals.

I'm only one month into that and still have another month to go. TV gets old, reading gets old and I haven't learned any Spanish like I planned on. So dealing with boredom is a big challenge.

I have been kept busy emailing and trying to resolve this under "Workers Comp" that’s how I found this site and read your concerns. That's a whole nother story, but it has helped me stave off a lot of the boredom.

I hope this helps both my wife and I am glad we had the operation. And as others have mentioned it's about improving your quality off life that's gone down hill pre-op, not necessarily about getting a 100% recovery, but any recovery or improvement is better than it was before. With time I hope to get the feeling back in my hand, but for now it's not getting worse and my pain is greatly reduced.

ksf · Supporter Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 280

I am glad to hear you and your wife have and are recovering from this surgery.
I knew a lady (in her 60's) that had cervicle surgery using her hip bone that did really well as far as her neck but her hip is giving her fits.
I have to wonder if people do better when they use their own bone instead of a cadavor with implant.
Since my anterior cervicle disc and fusion two years ago I have been absolutely miserable. After the surgery I went back to work for 6 months then finally had to give up my job (of 30yrs) because the pain was so bad. I've been off work over a year now...frustrated because I can't work or do they things I once could (i'm only 47). I understand boredom!
Thank goodness for the internet and this web site..it helps pass some time.
I hope you continue to do well.

bradalaska · Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

Thanks for your words of encouragement. My wife is doing better, but she is only 50% recovered and can only work part time, still has pain and is oftemn limited in time she can spend on projects. She iwas in no way cured. But she is improved over what she was before the surgery.

As for me, I'm still in rcovery and it's another 3 weeks before I have the follow up to see if the fusion has taken. I don't know what the future holds for me, I'm hopeful.

I think you are correct to let people know that their lives are changed, forever. The question that everyone has to decide on personally is can I at least have improvement after surgery as compared with before.

For my wife the answer is yes, she's not stuck in bed in pain 7 days a week, now it's only 2 or 3 times a week. She job shares and has a great employer, otherwise I'm sure she would have lost her job years ago.

As for myself, I hope to return fulltime, but I know I won't be doing the field inspections I used to. I'm 54 so I have to wait and see. But I haven't heard anybody say that they returned to a full unhampered pain free life after surgery.

The positive results like my wife and so far myself have experienced an improvement over pre-surgery, but not a cure. My wife has pain and I still have pain, but for both of us it's not as bad as it was before surgery.

But I'm still taking some pain killers and have been cleared to return to anything normal yet.

I agree with you too, this site helps me be realistic, and I hope that I can help others be realistic in their expectations too.

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don't forget that the FDA has recently authorised use of prostheses (Bryan, Prestige, etc.) which means that operations that previously were just discectomies and fusions can now be a discectomy and prosthesis. for example, see: www.bryan.com, not that i am recommending that prosthesis. and, no, i have nothing to do with the company, but, yes, i DO have a prosthesis in my neck, and am doing pretty well so far!!! (six days post-ot).

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My dad is having this surgery on the 23rd and I'm worried that something will
go wrong because of the place there cutting at. I want to know more about this surgery and if has caused problems for many people who have had and how long did it take u to get back to your daily activities!!! Thanks

freddyb45 · Newbie Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

You can find a lot of useful information about surgical procedures on the internet, but if you are concerned - just ask your doctor! They are there to help and ease your worries, so just go to him or her with any questions you may have.

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It's been 9 months since my last post.
Unfortunately pain stays with you for quite a while.
I'm still glad I had it done. I start physical therapy next week.
Hopefully that will bring some relief to me and i can get off these pills.
I'm only able to work half days still. surgery was Sept 25th, 2007.

My doctor never promised a return to normal life. My wife that is 4 years out from the same surgery is doing better, but her upper body strength isn't what it used to be. Her pain is less than it was 2 years ago, but she still has bad days, however she's not bed ridden any more.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy Pre-Post Surgery

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