Anterior Cervical Discectomy

i have been experiencing a lot of weird feeling since i had my c4 c5 fusion to be honest i am scared to death i get cold lashes tightening in my hands and almost like a pulse that runs threw my entire body. i am only 19 and i am 6 weeks post op i just want to know if anyone else as had these problems or if i am just crazy

I had surgery in 7/05 - discectomy and fusion of c4-c7. The surgery went well, had a long recovery period, but was able to return to my job as a labor and delivery nurse.

I now have herniated discs at c2/3 and c 3/4 with spinal cord compression. I have been through the epidural steroid injection series with temporary minimal relief, physical therapy, facet injections, trigger point injections and of course the pain meds, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, and oral steroids. I have pain deep in my neck, between my shoulder blades and also in my right superior shoulder that goes up to my jaw, ear and back of my skull. I also have constant tingling with occasional numbness in superior right shoulder up to my jaw and ear. When I lean or bend I feel like my head is going to pop off from pressure. I wish I could just carry my head in my arms sometimes because my neck feels so tired of this fight.

At this point I have gone for a second opinion and other than learning to live with this, my only option that has been given to me is another surgery - posterior cervical fusion of the 2 new herniations with the other three. My neurosurgeon is very qualified and I do like him and trust him. I was told however by the second opinion (neurosurgeon at a major tertiary care hospital) that if I have this surgery that another will follow as the stress will just keep moving on to the next disc. He said that the last surgery will be to fuse my skull to my spine.

The picture has been painted so bleak for my future if I have this surgery as far as mobility and quality of life. I have a future that includes being active - I am only 45 years old. My husband and I have lake property that we have planned to build our dream home on and all the tasks that go with it. I love my job and am not ready to lose it.

I obviously have a million questions/fears, but I am wondering if there is anyone who has had 5 discs fused and how much mobility they still have? How do they function and have they had any new problem since then?
I would appreciate any feedback.

I am 3 weeks out from a C6-7 discectomy and fusion with instrumentation. Though I don't have the pinched nerve pain I had before surgery I do suffer from muscle spasms and pain in the neck and shoulders and sometimes even through the muscles of the ribcage. The headaches are astounding. I am a little concerned as I do hear stories of the pain just being gone right away. My time in the hospital was a miserable two days. I would advise those looking at the surgery to not only look into the doctor, but hospital also. My recommendation would be to have a friend or family member present as much as possible. If not, a patient advocate and full knowledge of your doctors orders is recommended. I found out later that other items were available for pain that were not offered and as some make you nauseous, I would put down that you have nausea with anesthesia no matter what. It's weird, the first two weeks were easier than the third. Maybe I am pushing too hard. I am also experiencing dizziness and mild nausea and at only 106lbs. to start, I really don't need to lose weight, but my taste is affected, my teeth hurt and the sight of certain foods, like raw meat produces an immediate gag reflex. I am crying quite a bit worrying that all of this will not be worth it, but my sister had the disc above done 5 years ago and says she has no regrets. I am, admittedly, a worrier.

interesting that you didn't have to wear a collar. I had c5-6 done 9 months ago and now just had c6-7 done. I had to wear a collar both times but now, two days post surgery, I have taken it off as it is just too uncomfortable. I really don't think collars are necessary when there is no chance of sudden jerking of my neck. Any comments?

I had the anterior disectomy on 9-8-08. A C5-C6 and C6-C7 with the titanium plate. I must admit I had no idea what I was getting into. I wore a hard neck brace I called the iron maiden for 7 weeks. My doctor has told me I can stop wearing the collar gradually. This wasn't as easy as I thought. If I leave the brace off for too long one day, the next day is agony. I am taking Lortab for pain. My neck is really not hurting so much as my shoulders. I do get the arm pain occasionally. I asked about not wearing a brace at night and finally bargained with my doctor into letting me wear a soft brace. The doctor told me it could take up to 6 months to completely heal. Perhaps the fact that I am 52 has some bearing. It's comforting to know that there are others out there who can understand how difficult this can be. I thank you for sharing your experiences.

Hi,

I am 49 years and I need an anterior cervical discectomy too. I also am very scared. I am a smoker and my doctor told me he will not do the surgery unless I quit. I'm staying positive and realize I should quit anyway.

Today is April 9, 2009 and I'm having this surgery on April 13, 2009. I've been having chronic headaches, neck pain and Siaticca with numbness on the right side, hand, arm and leg. This occured on my past part time job when the bar stool back broke and I fell and hit my head on the concret floor.
I've been reading alot on this surgery and I did not want to have surgery on my neck nor back. Anything to do with my spine. But i've been having these pains since 2004 and have been seeing different specialist and was taking Imitrex tabs and injecting myself with the Imitrex stat dose. I've been wanting to give up on everything with this pain. The only option I have now is to have the surgery and hoping that will ease the pain i've been having. After reading about this surgery, i've had about 50% people stating they are happy and 50% stating that they are not. I don't smoke, I don't drink nor do any drugs and my Surgeon stated that I should not have any problems. I'm still scared, but I've opt out of all the other options with trying medication and Physical therp. for the past 5 yrs.
The Surgeon whom is doing this surgery is Dr. Gary Dix from Brain and Spine LLC in Maryland.
:$
Thanks!

In 2007, I woke up in excruciating pain. It felt like somebody was breaking my neck and the only 'good' position was having my arm raised above my head. We went to the emergency room a few times and I was told that it was all in my head and that no spine issues would be causing that sort of problem, i.e. numbness. They gave me morphine and sent me home. I continued to go back to the hospital, hoping they would do something for me and the dr said why are you back here? there really isn't anything we can do for you. The mri results showed a herniation at c5-6 impinging on the spinal cord, lateral recess, and neural foramen, spinal degeneration, loss of cervical curve, etc.

All I could think was what kind of hospital is this?

They referred me to a neurosurgeon, who said he couldn't help me and refused to even give me an appointment.

I ended up finding a supposed spine specialist. He seemed like he knew what he was doing and after several months of double vision, severe pain, and little sleep, I was glad to have some relief. He gave me six injections, but then claimed in the med records that I had 100% relief. The doctor I have been seeing said that his notes didn't make much sense and that giving me those specific injections wouldn't have helped for long. I felt decent for about 3 weeks. I also tried manipulation, traction, physical therapy, etc. nothing worked.

Then in August of last year, I had a ceiling fall on my head...imagine a slab of drywall falling with about 20 gallons of water and insulation!My neck was swollen, but not much of a change in the pain level and the loss of our home was shocking. We ended up moving up to Colorado and thankfully, I received some amazing medical care since.

I finally got on the insurance at my employer in April and was at the specialist within a couple of weeks. We ended up doing a nerve block to see if he got the right place. My neck was so swollen that some of my shirts didn't fit. The nerve block wore off after a couple of days and so they scheduled my surgery. I went in this last Monday, June 8th for an anterior cervical disectomy and fusion. Prior to surgery, I had not felt my thumb since 2007 and it was very difficult to live in increasing pain without being able to go to the doctor for months due to preexisting condition clauses.

In any case, the surgery went very well. I have feeling back in my thumb and very little pain, aside from some soreness, fatigue, and achiness. I could feel my thumb again right after surgery, but some of the tingling has returned. He said it might take some time for the nerves to heal as they were severely impinged on. My specialist told me before surgery that it may not be possible to get the feeling back in my fingers depending on the amount of nerve damage.

I told him all I could was hope at this point and that I needed a possible solution not a quick fix.

For now, I am enjoying hugging and kissing my boys, ages 3 and 4 and catching up on some kid movies. I am so glad that I went with the ACDF. I am wearing a soft collar, mostly bc of my kids and do think it is a strange feeling to have bones and a plate in, but look forward to healing.

Yes, i am 2,5 week after surgery and still experience pain when I bend or lift my head. I wear a soft collar but not all day. I had a cervical c6/c7 disectomy and fusion with a artificial bone. (takes 3 months)

greetings, Martin Mooij

I just stumbled upon this website and was reading the posts and decided to share a short version of my experience. I live in Maine and have suffered for over 20 years with chronic severe headaches, right arm, hand and finger pain, numbness and over 50% loss of strengh. After getting no where with the idoits (Nurosurgeons) here in Maine my Nuerologist, my sister and myself thought it would be in my interest to go to Virginia and see a Nuerosurgeon there. The reason I went to Virginia is my sister in an RN at Johnston Willis and my Nuerologist agreed that your always better off when you have an inside connection and theres many more resources in VA than in Maine.

I made my first trip the end of April this year I saw Dr. George Gruner I opted to try a block first and went to see Dr. Barsanti. It took a few days and I did experience some minimal relief but it was very short lived about a week. I had returned to Maine at that point so I called Dr. Gruner and told him that I was ready to do the surgery I was back in VA within a week of calling him and had my surgery on June 2, 2009. I felt very good with Dr. Gruner right from the start he explains everything very clearly will answer any and all questions and encourages you to ask them. I'm terrified of Hospitals so one thing that I really liked was that he doesn't believe in keeping you in the hospital he feels that you do better getting out of the Hospital and I agree. I had a multi level anterior discectomy and fusion with a titanium plate. I have to say I was in much more pain for the first couple of days than I expected but everyday I felt a little better. I was given a soft collar when I left the Hospital to wear as he said basically its a reminder for the first couple of days but said I didn't have to wear it and didn't want me wearing it at all at night. I never did wear it it drove me crazy. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and on a Friday went to VA Beach to watch my niece and nephew play sand soccer. I will be honest riding in the car for over two hours was uncomfortable but by the time we returned on sunday afternoon it wasn't quit as bad. All in all the fisrt two days were the worst and everyday I felt a little better Idid have chest pains and shortness of breath for while after surgery however he told me this was normal after thsi type of surgery and they have since gone away and I also had an allergic reaction to the betadine. I read peoples stories and see many had to wear collars for extended amounts of time and many are still in so much pain and its hard to understand and I'll be honest I'm also a smoker. I am not one to be held back and its been two months since surgery and I mow, garden and carry my grandkids around and all in all feel great. The only one thing that I've had some difficulty with is getting my neck in the right position when I sleep but beyond that It was the best thing I ever did. I would recommend Dr. Gruner to everyoen he's the best and I thank God everyday I was lucky enought to find him!! Good luck to all I know your pain and I feel for you.

o.O 8-| Dont get surgery doesnt work if you ha a car accident I stioll have pain and more symptoms than i had before the sergery cant lift nothing well i cna but then I suffer in

I am a 56 year old who is 5 years out from a 3 level cervical neck fusion. I lost my job, my insurance, and my house. I have never healed from this surgery. I went to emergency and had x-rays done. ai followed up with a specialist and was told that the plate in my neck was extending past the fusion and rubbing on the disk abve and below the fusion. I have had to apply for my social security. I have been turned down because I have not been able to continue to see a doctor because I have no income and no health insurance because of my preexisting condition. My life has never been the same. I have chronic pain and deep depression.

I just had plates and screws put in at c5-6 c6-7 and it was the best thing i ever did,i am 52 and the pain was so bad i was ready to take a gun to myself,dont be scared its nothing to worry about,trust in god and your doctor and dont think neg about it just know how much pain you wont be in after its done

Smokers heal a lot slower,and they haft to move your voice box to the side when they are doing fusions so your doc is probably right may I suggest hard candy when you want a doggie so you can help your healing process...just a suggestion you can take it or leave it

La Rue

I had acdf 8 months ago c5-c6 c6-c7 and had to wear a hard collar for 11 weeks.Thought I would lose my mind.i have no plate and screws or bone graft,that is the reason for wearing collar so long.my neck and shoulder muscles are still sore thoughand weak