2 level ACDF - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

ADSUFTIN · 10-21-2005, 10:45 AM

Hi,

Can someone please tell me how much neck mobility person looses after 2 level ACDF.

Thanks.

A

dootag · 10-21-2005, 01:28 PM

Hi,

Before anyone can evaluate what your loss of range of motion would be they will need to know at what levels you are concerned. For example I'm fused at C6/7 and C5/6. The left right ROM is 80% plus. The forward backward ROM is unlimited forward and about 60% backward.

dootag

notpain · 10-21-2005, 04:54 PM

Aside from depending on the levels - which one Neurosurgeon told me was about a 3% loss of motion for each level on average and 85% of motion takes place where the skull meets the spine, there is loss of movement forward and back (flexion and extension). I am also told there can be discomfort with the plating against the throat due to scar tissue. I was told there are "anti scarring gels" - search on here for Quietcooks posts - very good. Be sure if you get fusion to get plating the fusion rates are 10 to 20% higher and insist on dynamic plating as it balances the load over the fused area. And of course the Center discs C4/5 c5/6 would cause less motion than higher up or lower down.

Backinthesaddle · 10-22-2005, 06:25 AM

I had a posterior decompression done in 2002 for C6/7. I then got injured again and will soon have a C4/5 fusion and possible C6/7. I had to go through a flexation test as this is workman's comp and here are my results: Flexation norm 60% mine 42%, extension norm is 75 degrees I am 63%, laterial flexasion left norm 45 degrees mine 51%(Left), same (right) mine 49%, rotaion left norm 80 deg mine 60%, rotation right norm 80 deg and mine 48%. I can noticably tell the difference in rotation the most like driving and any turnin my head. I have to turn my shoulers as well to see all the way to the side.

Since I have not had C4/5 done yet and it may improve with that I can only say that my results are not great. The impairment rating doctor used ROM values whatever that means.

DonnaKay · 10-22-2005, 07:41 PM

I have never considered percentages ... but the only real time I notice any difference in ROM, is if I am trying to drink the last drop out of a can of soda (it's not going down!!), or if I am backing out of a parking space (I just have to turn at my waist more). I believe the disks I have had surgery on are 5/6 6/7, I do have a plate.