BobM

Hello capt
It's ok to vent here...

I'll share my experience, maybe there is something in that you can relate to. I had a neck injury 15 years ago, that was not diagnosed until 3 years ago. The initial MRI showed DDD at C4/5/6/7/8. I had developed a number of neurological deficits along with the pain, but the symptoms were associated only with C5/6/7. So, even though the other levels looked 'bad' on the MRI, the surgeon would only operate on the levels that were causing problems. A year after the first ACDF I went back for a second one, for C4/5, because it had started to cause problems. I have the prospect of more surgery if I live long enough.

The surgeon explained that a lot of people in my age group (50+) have discs that look bad on an MRI, but for most people the bad discs are not creating a problem, so they typcially won't operate based on appearance alone - there needs to be evidence of problems. Some surgeons appear reluctant to even operate just for pain (from what I read here), but things like weakness or atrophy, numbness, etc., can make the case for recommending surgery.

For people like me, that approach results in repeat surgery, but it seems to be sound medical practice for 'most' people.

A few weeks after my 2nd ACDF I had a return of the pain and numbness - it turned out to be inflammation of the cervical nerves, probably due to being manipulated during the surgery. I reported it to the surgeon, and was treated successfully with a course of steroids to reduce the swelling. So, be sure and report all post op problems promptly - maybe it is something relatively easy to treat, like in my case.

Hang in there - dealing with our problems can really try our souls, but the key is to avoid getting discouraged - and I know it is sometimes way easier to say than to do!