MESSAGE to those preparing for ACDF surgery

I personally would have a neurosurgeon working on my nervous system and an orthopod working on my bone structure. They are both skilled at these types of surgeries however. That being said, find someone you trust to work on you. I have met several guys I didnt want touching me at all.

An O arm is similar to a CT xray with a bigger ring. Hence, the O. It fully circles your body, they can pull it in or move it out where they need to. It is an amazing piece of equipment. It gives you a 360 degree look at the surgical incision site.

Hope your surgery went well and you healing wondefully.

I had C5-C6 ACDF surgery in Dec 1993.  It was a huge success!  I went from having 4-5 days/month WITHOUT migraines to have 1 or 2 migraines per year!  The surgery was performed by a great Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr Lytton Williams in Inglewood, CA

 

After I was rear ended this past summer my neck pain went through the roof.  My PCP referred me to a neurosurgeon and after a MRI it was determined that C4-5 was way too narrow and C6-7 was narrow but might not be contributing to the problem.  To rule out muscle problems I was sent for steroid injections before deciding on surgery.  They did nothing for me so I am scheduled for surgery the end of Jan 2013.

 

My original surgery used a bone graft from my right hip and no plate or screws were used.  The doctor and PA were telling me that they use a titanium plate with 4 screws and use a kind of plastic pillow to replace the disk.  It is amazing to see the differences in surgeries after 20 years. 

 

I am glad to see these positive posts because I am worried about the plated and screws causing swallowing problems - I already have some nerve damage in my throat and problems swallowing.  However, I don't worry too much because I have had a lot of different surgeries and each one had a very positive result.  If I don't trust my doctor I find a different one.

 

Thanks for all of your posts!

I'm ever so glad to come across this site! I have postponed my OR for 8 yrs already because I am very much terrified. But since my symptoms have worsened, now involving both of my arms with tingling, weakness and "spicy" pain along with the neck and shoulder pain and spasms, i have decided to undergo ACDF next week! I will be under a team, an orthopedic surgeon and a neuro-surgeon since i already have stenosis at my c5-c6 due to disc displacement, not even a herniation, mind you. and it also has involved most of my c-spine except c1 and c2.  i also have noticed myself to eat my words more often. please pray for my successful  operaton and kudos to all of you doing great after the OR. 

May God continuously bless us all!

Thanks for the great info I am having surgery on the 30th and am trying to get as ready as possible before I go.

Thank you so very much for the tips. I am having the exact same surgery (C 5/6-C 6/7) in three weeks and I really appreciate all the help I can get. I've had lower spinal fusion and it was pretty successful, but it is always nerve-racking anticipating surgery and you have helped calm my nerves!

Diane, if you've had a lumbar fusion then an ACDF should be a breeze.  Much shorter surgery/rehab.

I just want to say, the "sqeeky wheels"
here, are just seeking se form of relief, as well as hoping they'll find other's who
are or have experienced the same "bad"
outcome that they have.
It's such a horrific experience to go from a happy, healthy fun loving person, to someone who lives with daily pain, can't continue to work, and nothing you do, nothing the "doctors" tell you to do works! I've only known three people who've come out of this operation on the positive side.
I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, or sound like a nagging, self absorbed
complainer, but I've had two such surgeries, and I'm praying for a day That I can wake up pain free and full of energy.....Like the good old days. Please cut the people some slack who post on here looking for some solace.....they can't get on wirh their life.....they no longer have such a life..... We are prisoners of PAIN!!!!!!

painfully yours..... What you said sounds like me, Im so scared that I will be like this forever. I have lost control of my daily life. Now, everyday is based on how much pain I have. I will be going into surgery again as soon as we get it cleared through my insurance. I feel l have to at this point. What I do know is I cant stay like this forever.

Thanks, that is great news!

Agreed JLC...I too had a level 4 ACDF...C3-C7... last Jan 25th and am doing very well. Glad to hear you are also. Pain and all is gone completely and I was eating solid foods that same night in hospital and they were amazed...lol. I would do it all over again if I had too. Only pain in the ass thing is I must wear a rigid neck brace for atleast 6 weeks :( So in backing JLC up...dont be afraid at all..this is all routine surgery now..and in the hands of a qualified and great spine/ns all will be good! As far as sleeping I have been doing it in bed whole time...lol. I even can lay on my side now and are getting used to the brace!!!

Thank you for posting this. My husband is getting ready to have this surgery next week and he is about to bail because of all the negitive stuff he has found. I was looking for a positive outcome. I am very glad you are doing so good. Thanks you. Beth

thank u so much for your detailed recovery of the surgery i am having it done 02/19/13 and nervous really bad had a opinion from rothman and temple the top neurosurgeon is doing it at temple i am 52 have copd and ITP i also had alot of other surgeries and this one is the only one i am nervous about just the idea of them going threw the front of the neck is scary at least one thing good is they are not taking anything from hip they are using prostheic bone and tantium screws but i think i will be okay thanks to u thank you not that nervous anymre

I'm having mine done on Monday morning.  c5/c6-c6/c7 with cadaver bone, plate and screws as well.  Thank you all for sharing your stories.It's scary, and I'm terrified but I'm ready to have my life back.  42 yr. healthy female who quit smoking 12 days ago.  Good luck to all the upcoming surgery patients!!!!  We will all do great.  Here's to getting our lives back!!!

I have suffered lumbar fusion l4/5 and L5/S1 in 2010 with two further surgeriesforce revision and further decompression, this was a nightmare for me with little if no relief of symptoms.  Amazingly enough this year I have prolapsed 3 cervical discs with one directly impacting the spinal cord causing damage.  There is a push for surgery of which I am understandablterrified of of, I would love to hear from other people in a similar situation. I am 45 and feel like my physical life is ending.

thanks for the info i am getting this procedure done from c3c4c5 getting two discs replaced and fused together and a mechanical disc on c6c7. ive had numbness in my hands and fingers and my legs due to narrowing of my spine which is squishing my spinal cord i am due to get that acdf surgery done in about 5 to 6 weeks from today i am very scared to get it done if there is any more tips for me it would be appreciated. thanks Robert Pyke email 

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