ACDF on Sept. 8 - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

koriedad · 08-29-2008, 11:07 AM

Greetings!

Newbie to the board, and to ACDF...

Back in November of 2007, I began experiencing fairly severe neck pain. Tried everything for relief (chiro, massage, acupuncture, traction), but relief was only temporary. Finally had a cervical MRI done in January - results indicated that I had fairly severe degeneration of all the disks (from C1 to T1), but that C5-C6 and C6-C7 were the worst, and based on the pain I had, that made sense. Went the ESI route in both C5-C6 and C6-C7, but after three rounds, no relief. I was referred to a neurosurgeon, who suggested, after seeing the MRI scans, that I needed 3 level ACDF (C4-C7). Started doing research to see what this spinal fusion was all about, which brought about a fair amount of anxiety (scared!). Scheduled the ACDF for Sept. 8th, which is fast approaching...

Any advice/comments/suggestions/positive reinforcement from the "veterans" on this board would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Steve
---
Soon to have ACDF C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7 with cadaver bone and titanium plates.

thj2u · 08-29-2008, 02:39 PM

Hey Steve -

I may not be a veteran - but I am now 4 weeks post-op from my ACDF. I share your anxieties. I was so nervous. You will find a lot of help from this board. I dare say more than from the doctors. My ACDF was on level C3-C4 with the cadaver bone and titanium plate. So not as much as yours. I just had my first post-op appointment and I am doing pretty good. I still have weight restrictions and have been told to only do light household chores. (I am a stay at home mom so I don't have to worry about the going back to work) It seems that everyone's recovery is different - but same in that we all wish it would go by faster. Time is the one thing you can count on. You need those bones to fuse to get better. I had an x-ray today that looked like it was fusing nicely - but not completly done yet. Average is about 3 months. But that isn't a gaurentee. Again, everyone is different.

My advice would mimic those that have gone on before. I found searching the board for recovery ideas to be very helpful. There is a list on here somewhere that was put together of all the things that would be a plus to have around the house following surgery. For example bendy straws - they were my best friend.

One thing I can tell you is that I feel better today then I did prior to surgery. I still have up an down days. But everyday I get a little better.

Ask away on these boards! You'll get info you need.. and the best is support and understanding. We are all dealing with some kind of spine problems and can relate to what you are going through.

Teresa

koriedad · 09-01-2008, 05:27 PM

Thanks SO much, Teresa, for the kind words and advice - right now, a heaping helping of positive reinforcement is what I need most!

I know I'm in the hands of a highly qualified neurosurgeon, so it's time to put my trust in him and think of my future pain-free existence!

One week from today...

Regards,
Steve
---
Soon to have three level ACDF (C4-C7) with cadaver bone and hardware

sundance54 · 09-02-2008, 12:00 AM

Go for it!
Your story sounds a lot like mine. I just had surgery on Aug 20 and I feel great! I have a great surgeon and he has a very good team of people to work with. After messing with alternatives of almost a year I am pain free. No medication at all and no numbness or pain since the surgery. Stay positive, this really works!

SpineAZ · 09-02-2008, 09:05 PM

My biggest piece of advice is don't do "nothing" after the surgery. When I did my ACDF I literally sat around the house for 6 weeks and ended up very deconditioned. The day I went back to work at 7 weeks post op was awful...not from neck pain...but the walk from my car to the office door.

This year I had a foraminotomy and at 5 days post-op I started on my treadmill at 1 mph for 5 minutes at a time - adding 1 minute a day. Overall I felt better during the recovery this time.