Anterior Cervical Discectomy - Recovery Time?

Im at 9 wks post op, anterior cervical disectomy and fusion. I still have body pain, mostly my legs, they feel achy and kind of a warm burning sensation. Still taking soma and norco and have too felt like people view me as an abuser, but without them I cant function. I was belittled today by my supervisor cuz I had to leave work early. Does anyone know what this pain is?

I am 58 years Old and am in considerable pain now since 26 April 2013. I am considering this procedure of the c6 c7 and c6 c5, all levels of the cervical spine are in need, only the c6 c7 c6c5 are the most serious... I too have had neck pains and symptoms similar to yours now for 20-25 years. Chiropractic only put off the inevitable it seems. MRI has been done and I am quite concerned. My Neurosurgeon of choice met with me today he too is concerned. . How large is this incision in the side of your neck? Is it performed with arthoscopic/ endoscopes??? How soon were you able to return to work under light duty conditions??? Are you pain free now except you mentioned Headache in the morning.

I had a fusion of C5-7. The pain could be caused by either stenosis or by nerve damage that occurred prior to the fusion. I had incredible pain in my arm and hand prior to my surgery and it all but disappeared after the surgery. I'm four years post op and still have some pain and numbness in my arm, but nothing like before the surgery. For me the key was following the Physical Therapy and constant exercise. I know several people other than my self who've had this procedure and one thing seems to stand out for me; the longer you have the damage before the surgery, the more chance there is of prolonged pain after the surgery. I'd recommend following up with your neurologist and consider pain management. I hope this helps.

I'm 57 years old and four years post op. I had the exact fusion you are considering. The incision is in the front of the neck, not the side and it's usually placed in a natural fold. My scar is barely noticeable. I've actually had to point it out to nurses when I've been in for other procedures. The procedure is not arthroscopic and must be done under full anesthetic, but in most cases does not require a hospital stay. I was able to return to work, part time, within two days, and I was able to travel for work, to another state, two weeks post op. Immediately after surgery, I was largely pain free and remain so. I do occasionally have some pain in my arm, but that is do to nerve damage that occurred prior to the surgery. I've posted my full experience on this site from my diagnosis through my surgery. If you search , it may still be up. I hope this was helpful.

I have to state quite the opposite opinion. Physical therapy is a total waste of time for most patients. I just had this surgery on C5, C6 and C7 - but my insurance forced me to endure multiple sessions and multiple weeks of physical therapy first! What a total waste of time, money but more importantly continuing to experience more PAIN!! When bone is sitting on bone and the disc is gone and bone spurs are embedded into the nerves - physical therapy will NOT relieve this!! To force a person to endure the pain and added expense of physical therapy is cruelty to humans. I have talked to 6 other people that have had spine/neck surgery. All endured physical therapy first, but NONE found relief via physical therapy. In the end, all had to have surgery.

I had severe pain in my arm, shoulder blades and total numbness in my left hand. The neurosurgeon performed this surgery on C5, C6 and C7 and the pain and numbness was gone immediately after surgery! This surgery was 4 weeks ago and I still can't drive, have to wear cervical collar and forbidden from lifting anything more than a coffee cup - but I am feeling very optimistic about recovery. My incision is approximately 3 inches on the right side of my neck going horizontal. I have returned to work under light duty, but primarily restricted to computer-related tasks. There is no way I could have continued working with my previous condiions - as I was basically disabled on my left arm and hand.

I am currently 9 months Post op from my C5,C6, and C7 Anterior Discectomy with Fusion of the C5, 6, and 7.
My neck is a major barometer to the changing weather, I get considerable pain with these episodes, just do not move too quickly. Jogging is out of the question. My surgeon states that the fusion can take up to a year maybe longer being 59 years old.
I was losing dexterity and feeling in both hands and pain radiating down both arms. I was losing this feeling more by the day and had to precede quickly, or risk permanent nerve damage.
Despite some of the discomfort I do consider the surgery a total success. I am still hopeful that the healing continues and this pain what it is, its manageable with only Aleve. It does have a tendency to ware on you though, don't get me wrong.

I couldn't agree more. Prior to my surgery, I had multiple people suggest physical therapy or chiropractic and both were nixed by my doctor. I was fortunate that I had a GP who was on top of things. As soon as I started to loose feeling and strength in my left arm I was sent in for an MRI. The MRI showed bone spurs embedded in the nerves, degraded/ruptured discs and more. I was referred to a neurosurgeon who immediately scheduled me for surgery. My Neurosurgeon stated that because of the condition of my cervical vertebrae that physical therapy or chiropractic prior to my surgery may have resulted in permanent paralysis. Don't let them fool around with you, get the MRI. "Pain Management" and physical therapy aren't going to work if you have bone spurs, stenosis or degraded discs.