I agree Cindy. I'm now 11 weeks (tomorrow) post op and I feel SOOOOO much better! It was an absolute MUST for me and my symptoms are mostly gone in the right arm. Although at PT yesterday while doing some exercises I and the Physical Therapist both noticed some decreased strength in my right arm. It's obviously NOT enough to hold me back from my regular activities. I'm now playing tennis three times a week and running about 25 miles a week. I up'd my mileage to 5 miles this week everyday I run and feel GREAT! PT has helped a lot....and I'm taking pretty much no pain meds (occasional ultram which seems like it doesn't help at all) and a very occasional Soma for extreme soreness in my neck etc. I didn't want to have the surgery and I wish I could go back and have never gotten to that point in the first place b/c I don't like the idea of having that plate and screws in my neck and now having a fused c6/7 vertebrae but I am EXTREMELY pleased at how well I've progressed and I wish I had seen more positive posts prior to my surgery.
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I believe that most people who have negative outcomes will probably be more likely to come online and post about it. On the other hand, most people with positive outcomes don't usually think about- hey, I had a great outcome on this cervical surgery, let me find a blog and post about it. So, I know this started 5 years ago, give or take, but I am getting c6-c7 discectomy/ fusion next week and alls I gotta say is that I hope there were improvements in the last 5 years.
Thanks
Danny j
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C6C7 ACDF 8 days post op. I was a nervous wreck. I am only 32 with a 10 & 12 yr old. Both me and my children are active. The numbness and loss of muscle mass in my tricep was very dibilitating. PT made no changes. NS said it was time for ACDF. He caged and fused c6 c7. I just wanted to post positive results. No collar of any sort. Can and have slept in my bed snuggled right up to my husband since the day I was discharged (1 day stay). I will be off work for atleast 6 weeks. Sitting around is extremely hard for me, but if that is what I have to do, then that is what I do. No pain meds since 5 days post op. Tylenol for the strain between my shoulders. I truly feel good. I am positive I will be back to snomobiling, riding quads, playing softball, and mud volleyball in respective seasons soon. Positive attitude, brings positive results! Stay strong, happy healing.
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C6C7 ACDF 8 days post op. I was a nervous wreck. I am only 32 with a 10 & 12 yr old. Both me and my children are active. The numbness and loss of muscle mass in my tricep was very dibilitating. PT made no changes. NS said it was time for ACDF. He caged and fused c6 c7. I just wanted to post positive results. No collar of any sort. Can and have slept in my bed snuggled right up to my husband since the day I was discharged (1 day stay). I will be off work for atleast 6 weeks. Sitting around is extremely hard for me, but if that is what I have to do, then that is what I do. No pain meds since 5 days post op. Tylenol for the strain between my shoulders. I truly feel good. I am positive I will be back to snomobiling, riding quads, playing softball, and mud volleyball in respective seasons soon. Positive attitude, brings positive results! Stay strong, happy healing.
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im not sure what level mine was at but i am just recovering now from having surgery just last week. I was sore from wed (day of surgery) and thursday and friday. I wore a neck brace for the trip home from hospital. My surgeon was fantastic. I was told to do basically nothing and no lifting more the 5lbs for about 6 weeks. My kids are 7 and 4 so they are helpfull. I dont have a lot of pain as of now not even a week after. But i have to take it easy and rest. I was very calm and relaxed do to alot of friends and family praying for me and trusting in God himself to help me through. My disc was pushing on my spinal cord and i had instant relief from numbness and tingling in my hands and feet its great. Just dont push it for a least a month if not longer and don lift you 10 month old thats to much weight. My surgery was an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and fusion but not sure what number is was on my neck. Just take it easy and dont over do it. I wish you all the best and i hope this helps.
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I had my level 1 diskectomy and fusion on c6 and c7, with cadaver bone. I posted about 4 weeks ago and have an update..
I quit smoking about a week before the surgery and haven't started back up and no urge to either. I had surgery on 4/19/12. Excellent procedure and recovery time. I was in the hospital for about 4 hours after surgery and went home (had a ride, of course). There's still aches, but the Norco takes care of that; no heavy painkillers needed. I was back at work on 4/30/12, with a restriction of no lifting more than 45lbs. On 5/9/12, I went back to the dr. for a post-op check up. I have no restrictions and everything is excellent, but still minor aches. The scar is barely noticeable. I just wanted to let everyone who is having this type of surgery and are looking online for what to expect or whatever, that there are very successful cases and are not all bad.
I made a point to return and leave feedback after my surgery to share my experience. Also, my surgeon is out of Libertyville, IL, named Dr. Jonathan Citow, and he is an excellent surgeon.
I would recommend that anyone getting this type of surgery to stop smoking, due to the bone not healing properly with nicotine in your system and try to move around as much as you can after surgery. I also think that if you're lazy and don't like to do much exercise or any at all, that you're recovery will be a lot longer or your condition will get worse, and you might as well not get the surgery unless it's an emergency. From my experience so far, in the mornings it aches worse, due to not moving around and on days I just sit around, it aches more, but when I get moving, I feel normal and that motivates me to move around as much as possible.
Good Luck to everyone who decides to get surgery and hope you heal properly
dannyj (_[removed]_)
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You must've had more than 1 level, because my restriction was to not lift more than 45 lbs, within a few days..
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Hello: First of all, I am SOOOO SORRY, SO VERY SORRY YOU ARE HAVING SUCH A BAD "REACTION" to this surgery. I read your medication list, but I'm seeing nothing in the area of "anti-inflammatory" meds? So, here is my suggestion: Seek the care of a GREAT RHEUMATOLOGIST. Many times, osteopathic spinal conditions come from any underlying autoimmune condition, such as Lupus, and R.A. Regardless, I think there is an overactive autoimmune process that has been "triggered" by the surgery to that area. Get in with a Rheumatologist, get some blood work and a scrip for either Celebrex, or other anit-inflammatory, or prednisone to cut out the "reactive inflammation" response to your cervical spinal area. Also, I would highly recommend switching the Welbutrin for Pamelor. A much better nerve pain antidepressant--helps your pain and depression simultaneously. I SINCERELY HOPE THIS HELPS! Please keep me posted! Just know, no matter what--the human body has a way of resolving itself in its own time. May take a year, maybe less. But it WILL. Have faith and patience. You've been through a lot, and no everyone resolves trauma at the same pace. God Bless.
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I don't know if this will help, but I have a plate at c3/4 and I kept having the same things. I found the company that made my plate because I was not getting any help. They were very upset because my plate was still in, they said it was to be removed as soon as my bone fused and that it was in the insert that came with the plate. They sent me everything free of charge including the insert. But they told me that my plate was the biggest cause of my pain. It is having a foreign object in my body. I don't know if you have ever had a piece of metal in you hand but it will get inflamed. I had a Doctor tell me that the plate could stay in and I whip the insert out. Many people have problems but they get a diagnose of something else.
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I just had my ACDF yesterday morning, and already feeling great! Last nite I did not have any meds after 1 am. My swallowing is not bad. My shoulder's were very sore like I was lifting weights. Bengay is what I am putting on them. I feel great. We shall see how I feel day 3.
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I, too, had ACDF on C5-6 almost 7 years ago (I was 42 at the time). It was absolutely necessary as the disc was herniated and pushing on my spinal cord (I had pain and numbness from my neck/shoulders all the way to my feet.) My neurosurgeon was surprised that I was still walking! We scheduled for surgery a week later, procedure went flawlessly. I was out of the hospital less than 24 hours later. I recovered very quickly, and within 2 weeks I was able to return to work, no pain, numbness substantially subsided (it's now completely gone). No heavy lifting for a few months after surgery, and I'm still careful. I am happy to report that 7 years later I have had no problems with my cervical discs (but now having lumbar issues, whole different story)...
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I had posterior Spine Fusion C4-C7 following a car accident 2 yrs ago I too have scarring on my brain that the neurologist said is either from MS, a stroke or TBI. My hand/feet are more numb & more painful that ever before. I have intermittent problems breathing/swallowing that one MD told me "is probably a from panic attacks." NO NOT ! I get very bad muscle cramps that come on suddenly and wish they would have let me die. This is no life. It is a miserable existence. I wonder if this could be a result of the Medtronics infused synthetic protein they may have used since I did not have a graft taken from my hip. Attorneys won't touch this because I survived. Thanks a lot! Good luck to you. You are not alone in this.
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Hi, I,am 74 yr old man just had a peek strap put in neck 6 wks ago,back playing drums at jams 2-3 times a week 2 hrs at each jam,never felt better, worked as a union carpenter for 31 yrs. i say if your feeling bad get her done!!!
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New guy here. I just had my c5/c6/c7 ACDF surgery May 23 so I am almost a month of recovery. I was off work for 3 weeks, still don't like to drive and function at about 75%. Before surgery I went to gym everyday and was very active outdoors. I haven't been back to that yet but I plan to. I take one flexiril and one percocet everyday but thats it. I get better everyday and expect a full recovery.
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