14 days out ACDF C5-6 - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

jOANNbristol · 02-02-2004, 06:50 PM

I had the ACDF surgery 14 days ago, bone graft from my hip with metal plate, and am doing quite well. I think my surgeon is conservative--he has me wearing the Aspen collar for three weeks (no driving!). Just 8 days to go!

My advice: 1) Take Colace or some other stool softener after you get out of the hospital. I endured a midnight trip to the emergency room due to severe constipation (sorry!)--I hope nobody else has to go through that. The pain medication causes constipation.
2) Get up and move around as soon as you feel like it. I'm walking a mile or two a day and while my hip is still sore, I have much more energy and can feel myself getting back to normal. I play tennis and hope to be back on the courts in about a month or so.

It really wasn't that bad, though the collar takes some getting used to (especially if you have panic attacks/claustophobia like I do). I concur with everyone who says that finding a good spine surgeon, orthopedic or neuro, is the best thing you can do--mine was excellent.

Joann

nero · 02-02-2004, 07:49 PM

You go girl!

I am three months post op of ACDF same region, own bone and plate as of Feb. 10/03.

I would concur regarding the constipation issue.

However, your desire to play tennis in a month is pushing it (in my humble opinion). I treadmilled five times a week for 45 - 1 hour prior to my surgery and up to depending upon the pain I was in. You are compromising your future recovery if you push yourself too hard - enjoy how well you feel but remember that 30% of the people who have this surgery have it again in another level so why push the envelope.

I would rather read of your posts in a year from now that you are still one of the positive ones like me and havent' been hit with the eventuality of the domino effect.

Good luck... a cautious warrior - Nero

irish34 · 02-02-2004, 08:39 PM

Joann--

It's wonderful to hear news as yours. I have upcoming ACDF at C5-6 using my own bone(most likely, I have my choice). It was scheduled for the 26th of Jan and has been postponed twice already due to having a tooth pulled.
I truly hope that my recovery goes as well as yours has. My DR has not mentioned anything about the collar, so I'm not sure if I'll have one or not.
Please keep us posted on your continuing recovery...it will be useful in knowing what to expect in my own recovery.
And I agree with Nero's point about too much too quick, domino effect. My cousin has been a NS's nurse for 22 years and she said to take it easy for a good 6 months to hopefully deter the domino effect...she also gave pointers that my DR may clear me for certain things, but think of long term.
I wish you much luck!

jOANNbristol · 02-03-2004, 07:43 AM

"""However, your desire to play tennis in a month is pushing it (in my humble opinion). """

Well, actually my surgeon said I might be able to play 7 or 8 weeks post-op. I don't think I'll be starting PT until 6 weeks out, and of course I'll wait to see how that goes. I play competitive recreational tennis and love it, so I'm hoping to get back to it as soon as possible.

On the other hand, I don't want to be one of the 30% who have to have ACDF at another level! I have a lot of questions for my surgeon about this, things I didn't know before I had the surgery. My reasons for having the surgery were a diagnosed herniated disk compressing my spinal cord, causing tingling, burning and numbness in my index fingers, which spread to my arms and legs when I played tennis (several matches in a row during a tournament). The surgeon, upon viewing my MRI, said I had a high risk of paralysis if I had a fall or was in a car accident causing my head to jerk back. After my surgery, I had no further symptoms in my fingers, which I now attribute to the pain meds--the burning/tingling has returned, but not as bad as before (I was taking Vioxx pre-op for three months, but nothing now). Surgeon said, since he could see on the MRI that my spinal cord had already sustained damage (and when he removed the disk, it had calcified and left a dent in my cord), these symptoms may never go away, or they may over time.

Thanks for the adivce--I don't plan to take any risks that will further damage my spine, but am hoping to have excellent fusion and a good prognosis going forward.

Joann

nabrown · 02-11-2004, 11:37 AM

[QUOTE=jOANNbristol]I had the ACDF surgery 14 days ago, bone graft from my hip with metal plate, and am doing quite well. I think my surgeon is conservative--he has me wearing the Aspen collar for three weeks (no driving!). Just 8 days to go!

Joann-
I have a bulging disc at C-5,6 and it is "abutting" the spinal cord; MRI report says it extends into the foramina, causing mild foraminal narrowing bilaterally;
the abutting does not displace or deform the cord.

I see the NS next week and I have heard he isn't knife happy. I have been having migraines for 3 yrs - no other triggers apparent - increased physical activity creates this neuralgia on the left side, behind ear, down in neck, and the left shoulder blade. I have to sleep on a wedge pillow (since Oct.) - What else could a NS offer if it isn't surgery? Why did you not go with the cadaver bone replacement and have bone removed from hip?

I'd like to know about your situation. I am a 51 yr. old female who is so very tired of pain. (on valium, and skelaxin until ns sees me; the neurologist has also switched the valium to lexipro, but I have to fade off valium over a 3 wk. period).

Thanks,
nancy