Anterior Cervical Discectomy - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

ldunn522 · 10-27-2007, 11:37 AM

Hi, this is my first posting. I have had upper back, shoulder blade, arm neck pain for over 5 years. Have been diagnosed with DDD after a couple of very bad falls and sports injuries. I've done PT several times along with traction and the whole nine yards including accupuntune every other week since March. Needless to say I have gained over 60 pounds in the last 6 years because my very active lifestyle came to a complete hault. After reviewing my most recent MRI (the 2nd since 2003) because it's bad enough I can do anything anymore I am now in constant pain. My neurosurgeon said more than likely I will have to have an anterior cervical discetomy on C4-5 and C5-6. They've penciled me in for surgery on 11/20. I had a discogram done yesterday to determine if I needed to have C7 done but they were unable to reach it because I have a short neck. I have an appointment with my neurosurgeon on 10/31 to discuss the surgery. In the meantime it's driving me crazy to know what the difference is between a ACD and a ACDF (with fusion). Is there anyone out there who could help enlighten me? I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

Lori

SKZ · 10-27-2007, 12:54 PM

Unless, I am wrong....they are the same exact thing. I have never heard of a diskectomy without a fusion. They need to stabilize the area with plates and screws and bone.
By the way, your story sounds exactly like mine. I was in horrible pain for 5 years. Last Jan. I had a C5-C7 ACDF. My C4-C5 is a problem still, but not enough for a fusion yet. (notice I said YET). I am definitely better since the fusion. I wish I didnt wait 5 yrs to get the thing.

ldunn522 · 10-27-2007, 01:05 PM

Thanks for your response. I think you are right they are the same thing. I was told the plate is just a placer to keep the new bone stable until it fuses with my bone. Noone mentioned screws though. How was your recovery?

SKZ · 10-27-2007, 02:34 PM

The screws just keep the plates in place. So not to worry.
The pain was really not that bad, to be totally honest. I did NOT have a collar, which I think helped me a lot. Will you have one? I also started walking slowly on the treadmill (I have one) the day I got home and it really helped me gain stamina. After the surgery you will most likely have spasms in the trapezius, neck and upper back. I had these beforehand, so it was nothing new. It took quite a long time for those to subside. They gave me Valium to help, which it did A LOT. I would say, for me, I started feeling pretty great at around 6 weeks. I started driving around a month post op, but it was tough to turn the head, so I tried to really limit that. I started PT at 6 weeks post op and that was extremely helpful to get the stretches going again. (gently!). I was doing really well, and then 4 months post op I took a big trip to NYC and pretty much torque the crud out of myself. It took a long time to get that one under control (4 months). If I were you, I would allow a minimum of 6 weeks before starting work again.

ldunn522 · 10-27-2007, 03:01 PM

Ahhh, now I think I know ... they told me I would have to wear a collar for about 6 weeks but never mentioned screws. I have a feeling the collar will in place of the screws. So I am going to have to really be disciplined in order to get the fusion to heal the way it's suppose to. They did say because I'm an accountant and have a desk job I can return to work after a couple weeks but not to drive for at least 6. I'll keep you posted. Please feel free to provide info anytime. It's been very helpful.