Last Friday (Oct 15th 2010) I had a C-5 C-6 and C6-C7 diskectomy (sp) and spinal decompression with two stage fusion after approximately a year and a half of trying to treat the issue with epidural injections and pain meds. The issues being muscle spasms, tingling and numbness of my hands and random shooting pains throughout both arms.
More than likely, they are going in through the front of your neck which will leave a 2 inch incision on your lower neck. The incision will be hidden in a natural neck crease to minimize its appearance. This is less painful than going in through the back, as no muscle has to be cut. Both of my disks were removed and replaced with cadaver bone and a plate was attached with screws to the three vertebrae involved, as well as something called Allofuse DBM putty.
The most painful part for me after the surgery was swallowing, as you are intubated and the surgeon has to move your throat off to one side so he can get to your spine. I also had an odd problem belching, as it felt like a huge knot was trying to come up, but I was told it was due to the intubation as well.
I was using a PCA pump of morphine for pain while in the hospital as needed, and given Hydrocodone/APAP 10MG/325MG tablets 1-2 every 6 hours as needed for pain and Diazepam 5MG every 6 hours for muscle spasms once I was discharged. I was also given a soft collar to wear, though I believe it was more to remind me not to move around a lot instead of actually supporting anything. I actually get a burning ache just below my neck in my upper back whenever I wear the bloody thing, so I'm hoping I can get rid of it soon.
Not to brag, but I was out of surgery at 3pm Friday, discharged 3pm Saturday, and watching football at my favorite sports bar for 6 hours Sunday. I have been able to be active, but only to the point of moving about. Lifting more than 8 pounds is definitely a no-no, as is any extraneous stress put on the muscles of the upper back and neck. The wound needs to stay dry for 48 hours following surgery, and you can not soak it after though getting it wet in the shower is okay after that first 48 hours.
Food wise, for the first day you'll be on a liquid diet simply because of the pain of swallowing, but you'll quickly get back to a normal diet. Healing properly requires you eat well, so if you are dieting...stop. Also, smoking is right out. Some surgeons will refuse to do the surgery until you quit. I was lucky in that I quit over 3 years ago (before all this started) so I didn't have to go through that hell. Bone healing is severely retarded by smoking apparently.
I will suggest getting a memory foam type pillow to help cradle your head and keep it stationary. My doctor recommended this and it helped me tremendously considering that I am a side sleeper.
Hope this helps. It's really not all that bad, especially compared to what you are probably suffering from pre-surgery. Good Luck!
More than likely, they are going in through the front of your neck which will leave a 2 inch incision on your lower neck. The incision will be hidden in a natural neck crease to minimize its appearance. This is less painful than going in through the back, as no muscle has to be cut. Both of my disks were removed and replaced with cadaver bone and a plate was attached with screws to the three vertebrae involved, as well as something called Allofuse DBM putty.
The most painful part for me after the surgery was swallowing, as you are intubated and the surgeon has to move your throat off to one side so he can get to your spine. I also had an odd problem belching, as it felt like a huge knot was trying to come up, but I was told it was due to the intubation as well.
I was using a PCA pump of morphine for pain while in the hospital as needed, and given Hydrocodone/APAP 10MG/325MG tablets 1-2 every 6 hours as needed for pain and Diazepam 5MG every 6 hours for muscle spasms once I was discharged. I was also given a soft collar to wear, though I believe it was more to remind me not to move around a lot instead of actually supporting anything. I actually get a burning ache just below my neck in my upper back whenever I wear the bloody thing, so I'm hoping I can get rid of it soon.
Not to brag, but I was out of surgery at 3pm Friday, discharged 3pm Saturday, and watching football at my favorite sports bar for 6 hours Sunday. I have been able to be active, but only to the point of moving about. Lifting more than 8 pounds is definitely a no-no, as is any extraneous stress put on the muscles of the upper back and neck. The wound needs to stay dry for 48 hours following surgery, and you can not soak it after though getting it wet in the shower is okay after that first 48 hours.
Food wise, for the first day you'll be on a liquid diet simply because of the pain of swallowing, but you'll quickly get back to a normal diet. Healing properly requires you eat well, so if you are dieting...stop. Also, smoking is right out. Some surgeons will refuse to do the surgery until you quit. I was lucky in that I quit over 3 years ago (before all this started) so I didn't have to go through that hell. Bone healing is severely retarded by smoking apparently.
I will suggest getting a memory foam type pillow to help cradle your head and keep it stationary. My doctor recommended this and it helped me tremendously considering that I am a side sleeper.
Hope this helps. It's really not all that bad, especially compared to what you are probably suffering from pre-surgery. Good Luck!
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had ACDF C5-6 one week ago and doing well - my bones were soft (osteo) so I'm in an Aspen collar 24/7 and not allowed to ride in car or
any normal stuff - walking 2-3 times daily and doing exactly what is recommeded. like no sitting more than 20 mins.
no recliner chairs, no soft chairs - resting with a soft microbead pillow was the best thing my husband could have brought home with some other smaller micro bead like pillows for knees, etc. neuro nurse recommended these pillows and they are a MUST have -(found at Bed Bath and Beyond) also, for the chin area of Aspen collar, thin panty liners, soft cotton ones - this keeps chin from getting raw from friction and rubbing. told to clean wound only with antibact. dial liquid soap and no cloth - no rubbing on scar area. yes, I have a hard tennis ball like area from the surgery but only touching it hurts.
I had severe throat swallowing pain, difficulty for 5 days but that's gone now Praise GOD - some folks have it others not! listening to my body and not pushing too much - was doing way too much on days 3,4,5 and had to cut way back per doctor! miss my work which requires standing and moving all day - with alot of effort so I'm not working for a few months - gotta do whatever works. if this is helpful to someone else that would be good - my first ever blog type writing. hope all reading are doing as well as I am...
any normal stuff - walking 2-3 times daily and doing exactly what is recommeded. like no sitting more than 20 mins.
no recliner chairs, no soft chairs - resting with a soft microbead pillow was the best thing my husband could have brought home with some other smaller micro bead like pillows for knees, etc. neuro nurse recommended these pillows and they are a MUST have -(found at Bed Bath and Beyond) also, for the chin area of Aspen collar, thin panty liners, soft cotton ones - this keeps chin from getting raw from friction and rubbing. told to clean wound only with antibact. dial liquid soap and no cloth - no rubbing on scar area. yes, I have a hard tennis ball like area from the surgery but only touching it hurts.
I had severe throat swallowing pain, difficulty for 5 days but that's gone now Praise GOD - some folks have it others not! listening to my body and not pushing too much - was doing way too much on days 3,4,5 and had to cut way back per doctor! miss my work which requires standing and moving all day - with alot of effort so I'm not working for a few months - gotta do whatever works. if this is helpful to someone else that would be good - my first ever blog type writing. hope all reading are doing as well as I am...
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I just had a C5/6 Discectomy & fusion. I too had the Aspen Collar, but after x-rays and a post op I was given the green light to stop wearing the collar. I manage the pain in the neck with Tylenol. I was told most of the pain after this surgery is due to the procedure in the OR while they fused/screed in the hardware on the bones. I remarkably feel good and have done the same with my work on my computer from home. I too have the lumps from the stitches under the healing incision.
I am allowed to drive if I can sit up and turn without pain and issues for at least 30 min. SO after 16 days I will venture out on the road. I am very happy I had this surgery to correct the problem with a severely pinched nerve and left arm pain/numbness. Wish the circumstances that cause the surgery never happened, but all in all am glad I did this.
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Hi Sharpark great post im relieved that im not the only one having issues post op. im 8 weeks since my surgery. my neck is very painful still... i beleive this may be muscle spasms... I have really scary headaches and was beginning to get worried something was wrong. I also was told it was best not to wear a collar. does anyone out there have an idea of the true recovery time ?
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Hi wondering if I could ask you a few questions re. your ACDF now that you have recovered and i assume returned to normal routine.
Could I do that?
Thanks
Aron
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I herniated a c5/6 disc in childhood and nothing was done. I am now 53 yrs and decide that surgery is now an option. I worked and raised a family and sustained a neck injury again in the same place at C5/6 at 24yrs. This is common to re injure the weak spot.
Remember your discs are like gold, you cannot get them back after removal and no piece of metal hardware is going to fix it. It will only create a gap for the nerve pain so your limbs can function with the down side of your other discs taking up more strain and wear. Any good surgeon will be honest and tell you this, I am 53 and the nerve pain is getting harder to cope with and the excessive movement in my neck is getting untenable. Still the surgeon tries to encourage me to keep with what I have...and I have had many opinions..It is logical that removing anatomy is not curing it. The less biological anatomy you have the harder it gets. Even artificial discs are not what the surgeons thought they were cracked up to be. A biological solution that is long term is the only way,but we are still experimenting but it is on the horizon.
Remember your discs are like gold, you cannot get them back after removal and no piece of metal hardware is going to fix it. It will only create a gap for the nerve pain so your limbs can function with the down side of your other discs taking up more strain and wear. Any good surgeon will be honest and tell you this, I am 53 and the nerve pain is getting harder to cope with and the excessive movement in my neck is getting untenable. Still the surgeon tries to encourage me to keep with what I have...and I have had many opinions..It is logical that removing anatomy is not curing it. The less biological anatomy you have the harder it gets. Even artificial discs are not what the surgeons thought they were cracked up to be. A biological solution that is long term is the only way,but we are still experimenting but it is on the horizon.
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