Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion (ACDF) recovery

Guest over a year ago

Hi Annette, I just read your post and am very interested in your healing process, and condition as of today. I had surgery 6 weeks ago today. My surgery was due to three ruptured disc, c3, 4 and 5 that all were compressing on my spinal cord. I also had bone grafts with fusion. I woke up after surgery paralysed on my left side. Eventually my left side got better and I still am having problems. Pain on left side, neck, shoulder, upper back and hand and arm. Left leg no always up to par when walking. My surgeon has me on Gabapentin for nerve pain. All being on my left side and occasionally on right hand. I was curious if any of these things have happened to you post surgery or presently. Thank you for any input you my have for me and hoping all is going very well for you today! Sincerely, Annette

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karin wetz over a year ago

I'be had two of these surgeries. Anterior and posterior. Neither one worked out. I know the frustrations of trying to find out what's happening! Neurologist looking at MS, ALS, etc. My quality of life has gone down hill. I'be tried everything from PT to medicine. Nothing helps. I am almost paralized. I have all the symptoms and problems mentioned above. My first surgery was back in 2010; I continue to get worse (if it's at all possible).I'm now in a wheelchair prescribed by my neurologist taking large doses of morphine ER tabs/ Norco. It does'by take away the around the clock pain, just makes me a little more comfortable with my symptoms. Still looking for answers. Still having tests done. Some tests are painful. Will this ever end? Have I reached the end? I am now practically bed ridden. Please help!

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Guest over a year ago

Hi I had Acdf surgery at the Alexandra cheadle two weeks ago. Just wondering how you are now? Also what pillows and sleeping position you used as I'm struggling to sleep in any position.

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Cloudwind over a year ago

Hi
I am 16 days post op C6/7 ACDF. I returned to work (desk job) after a week at home. I was able to sleep in bed with a couple of pillows right away. Took Codeine for 2 days then switched to ibuprofen for a day or so after. Now at 16 days I am only experiencing slight discomfort and aching at the end of the day. Not doing anything too strenuous but hoping to get back to gym in few days for some gentle cardio.
In short, the pain and discomfort of the last couple of weeks were nothing compared to a couple of weeks of pain from compressed nerves. Glad I had the OP

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Guest over a year ago

To you all try to get donor instead of your own bone I am 4 yrs post op the hip now so unstable nerve damage irreversable for 2 yrs it was ok they have no reports to show after this time because nobody has any research, ask for a donor please

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Guest over a year ago

It's been a while since my post. I have accomplished Alot. First off, my first surgery using donor bone didn't take. That surgery didn't go well. So, I had a second surgery and used my own bone. That one took. Still the last surgery left me with slot of problems. Some of the nerves were damaged. I was left with swallowing difficulties and seems like a thyroid problem with heavy sweating 24/7. I have full range of motion in my neck but I still have the pain. The discs are aligned nicely but my cervical fell forward from my shoulders. The surgery had me line up good with posture.Now, I'm back where I started. As for anything else, I found out why all my problems and why the wheelchair and all my difficulties. I have Muscular Dystrophy. That answers my questions!
Find out and ask yourself "why" the surgery before having snotherbone. Everyone I know that's had it done doesn't stop having the surgery until they reach 3 or 4 of them.
Hope you are feeling better.

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Guest over a year ago

Hello,

I need a little help and insight. I had a ACDF Surgery on C5-6 & 6-7 about 2 years ago. I know I have to have another surgery due to the fact the first on was sloppy. My question would be if you look at a X-ray or CT-Scan or even a MRI can you see bone from the bone graft that did not fuse? The surgery which apparently takes a normal neurosurgeon 2 to 2 1/2 hours only took my wizard a hour and seventeen min. It makes me wonder what he did or didn't do. If you can see bone from a bone graft that didn't fuse what would it look like? Greatly appreciate the help.

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torunornottorun over a year ago

Not sure if anyone is still following this thread. I'm a couple weeks away from ACDF and I am a scared / sad. I like reading the positive outcomes so that has been helpful in getting me ready for the procedure. -- c5/6 fusion. I think what is most sad to me right now is just not being able to do my normal day to day things. Running is a big part of my life and i'm not ready to give it up. I hopeful I can recover and get back to it and be myself again without pain / numbness. This has all really made me realize how much I've taken being healthy for granted.

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Guest over a year ago

Hi, I just had my surgery November 15. I already feel relief from the arm pain and headaches. Still getting tingling in my arm once in a while. You all give me good tho. I am going crazy as I watch my house get dirty and nobody cares but me. I learned the hard way not to do anything. I lost the remote under the bed, threw up from the pain.
I am lucky my mother in law is in medicine and she is going to help me get off at least 3 of the 7 meds I've been on for 2 years. Thank you for listening and I will take any feedback

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Guest over a year ago

Your story is identical to mine. First one, donor bone, didn't take. Second surgery, my own bone, it took. All aligned well with good posture. Now, back to square one. Head forward from shoulders, in a wheelchair, with pain head to tie. After years of going through this, I was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy.

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Guest over a year ago

My surgen told me the only garantee is i wont get worse after surgery. 50 50 on what happens after. I had 2 disks removed.bone from my hip taken to fuse the neck c5 and c6
Thing is I had no clue i was in trouble, About 6 weeks before i was rushed into hospital while at work a big steel beam hit me on the back of my head, it only moved about a inch but left me dased and angrey, i left the site and went home with a growing lump on my head. sleept all weekend. I just seemed to lose all strentgh but put it down to being tired. Couple more weeks pass now i have a bad back, but im in phisical job so put it down to that, but still very tired. then on a monday morning it must have taken 1 hour to get out of bed, but i did and of to work i went, didnt finish the day so tired i went home early, next morning i couldnt walk. rushed into hospital. spent 4 weeks undergoing test before transfer to spesalist hospital. I had 2 choces have the surgery and maybe get my legs back or dont and i would be paralised from the neck down in less than 4 weeks.
I can say that yes i have most of the use back but now there is nerve damage which has left me using crutchs and in pain all the time.
I cannt walk any distance. luckly my surgon didnt promise me anything, just i wouldnt get worse.

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Guest over a year ago

how are you healing? i’m 4 weeks post op and i’m in so much pain neck wise.. I was told i’d be normalt within 3 months. i’m an athlete and not being able to do anything is scary. i’ve only come across these horror stories or extreme success stories where they wake up with no pain ever again and have amazing outcomes. it’s no inbetween.

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Guest over a year ago

I had ACDF C4- C7 , 3 levels. Stayed 1 nite in hospital. Pain relief almost instant upon waking up from surgery. (Although sore throat pain very bad for a few days) Out of work for 5 weeks. Pain level before the surgery was in range of 5-7 before and taking advils 3x day. After surgery pain ranges from 1-4. Vary rarely do I take an advil and I only took 1 of the 90 percosets that I left the hospital with.
I am 52 years old. Before, I was very active, able to run 8 minute miles. Now I do slow 11 min miles on elliptical.
I gave up basketball, tennis and weight lifting. Susceptible to flare ups if i do too much, but I have to say I am much better and it is 1 year after my surgery. Hope this helps.

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Guest over a year ago

I am going through a TERRIBLE time after having ACDF surgery it will be a free in April and I am in terrible pain not able to walk correctly or have the use of my hands and arms. Or move my neck , I have been in therapy for 10 months and it has not helped. What is going on they said I had nerve damage and the surgery And last MRI was fine. So what has caused this ......help

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Guest over a year ago

I had 2 level ACDF on 8/19/20 and regret it. I was in a collar 2 weeks then cleared to drive. I am in ten times more pain than before surgery. I’m plan to make an appointment with my Chiro tomorrow. At least a feel better after seeing him.

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