ACDF Recovery patient, please advise! - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Sundace731 · 12-07-2008, 07:59 PM

Hello everyone. I had an ACDF at the C5 to C7 6 weeks ago. I had it after stuggling with nagging neck pain sfor 15 years and since I was 20 yrs of age. I am one of those rare cases that had major degeneraion real early in life. This is NOT from any sort of accident, therefore I never had terrible range of motion, numbness in arms and legs, etc. 2 discs and 2 maor bone spurs on each side(4 total) were removed.

It only took a few days to get through the general recovery...no throat pain, no numbness or tingling, etc. That said, I have not seen a major improvement from what I felt like pre-surgery. Actually, I'd say this week has been the worst of the 6. I'm wondering if this week as worse than most because of the very cold temps here in chicago. I've needed more vicodin than the previous 4 weeks and it's not working as well. Basically, I'm dealing with what I've dealt with the past 15 years. I've already been told by my surgeon that my exrays look good and that fusion will take 3 months to 2 years. I have some questions..PLEASE at least answer 1 and 1A and if you have time for more super. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

1. I'm looking for assurance from others who have had this that it can definitely take many months to improve, and that it's normal to not feel any better 6 weeks in. As long as people tell me that is normal, I'll stop focusing on it.

1A. For those who feel the ACDF helped, could you share how much better you feel today and how long it took you to feel a significant improvement and/or no pain at all?
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2. Does the actual process of fusing cause pain? I'm wondering if it is like growing pains we had as children..while the body is changing/fusing, that too can cause aching?

3. I was told to wear the bone stimulator for 6 weeks. That will be next week and I will probably not be feeling any better by then. Would continuing to wear it help heal sooner?

5. I don't want to go back to P/T...had a bad experience there. Are there any resources you can suggest that will teach me exercises to do after this surgery...where I can learn them on my own? Those specifically for cervical surgery?

6. I'm trying to stay positive, but if by chance I simply do not feel better after the alotted 3 month to 2 year time frame, are there other procedures that can be done to continue the pursuit of a relatively pain free life? What do people do if their fusion doesn't take? I guess Im just a bit confused. I would think if the two bad discs plus four bone spurs were removed, wouldn't it be nearly impossible to NOT feel better?

7. How often do you have xrays done to find out your progress? Surgeon said I didn't have to come back unless I am in pain and not feeling progress. As I said..already had my post operation visit and xrays..he said all was fine. What does that mean? I don't feel fine so what did he see in those xrays that I dont feel yet?

THANK YOU AGAIN for your help. I really appreciate it.

Spencer

julyg · 12-07-2008, 08:42 PM

1) You had MAJOR surgery, It is normal for many of us to be in pain (lots of pain) for several months. I found once I got out of my Aspen collar the spasms ebbed. Are you pushing too much? Are you driving? Your primary job now is to heal. I live in Fl. and shivering in the cold makes me have spasms in my trap muscles.
Try to wear a scarf to keep neck warm.
When I was in a car I felt EVERY dip, dent, bump in the road.
What helped?
I found switching to a cheap skinny pillow helped, a recliner helped, a long wedge pillow helped, moist heat helped. Stacking up phonebooks to keep my head level helped. I put my dinner plate on top, lifted my computer up, put cutting board on them...helps so you do not bend your head down.
Get a "task" chair for proper posture if you sit at a desk.
1a) about 3.5--4 months I felt great.

skipping to 5) I had P/T who was too agressive. I called another spine surgeons office asked who they used for p/t and had wonderful experience. Shop your p/t like you would a surgeon. Have a p/t come to your home or job to analyze your posture in action and follow what your p/t says to do! Pay the p/t to do this! If you dont have a P/T who will do this yoiu didn't get a good p/t This was one of the best things I did!

6) You are getting way ahead of yourself. Dont "try to be positive" but be positive and talk yourself into it. Plaster a smile on your face everytime you walk past a mirror. Rent/buy "the secret" video to help. And check out a copy of ths classic book "power of positive thinking" these things really work!

7) 3 months, 6 months 1 yr. And every Dr is different.

I didn't find this board until 1 month after surgery and I was in great pain. You will find great comfort and friends here.

July

Sundace731 · 12-07-2008, 09:52 PM

Great name and thanks a lot. I have thought about how much I have been looking down at my laptop lately instead of eye level and there is no doubt it's bad for my neck. I can feel it...and im doing this MANY hours a day/night. That is an incredible idea and i know it will help. Oh yeah...definitely driving. Have been since the first week. I also have a blind diabetic dog and have to carry her up and down three flights of stairs. I know that is not helping. Moist heat another good idea for I can tell warm showers really help. I also feel my posture when seated is terrible and I need some guidance on the best ways to sleep because I think in my sleep I really mess up my neck a bunch and I wake up worse because of it. All in all this email was incredibly helpful. Thanks a bunch, July!

hugg724 · 12-07-2008, 10:56 PM

July has given you some great info. I just wanted to add a couple things. I had lots of "nerve flare ups" in the healing process. As the nerves "wake up" from the trauma of the surgery and start adjusting, they are pretty "angry" and it is pretty painful. These bouts can happen off and on for months. That is more than likely what you are dealing with right now. Make sure you discuss it with your doctor as well, just in case they feel the need to keep an eye on it or run some tests.

I had a 3 level fusion done and was doing alot of what you are doing now. I started paying for it within just a few months of my surgery. I have considerable scar tissue and bone spurring. I don't know how much of that was because I did things I really shouldn't have been doing (like you are) or because I am prone to scar tissue.

Just do your best to take it easy, no matter how good you think you are feeling. Your body will thank you for it later

Sundace731 · 12-08-2008, 10:19 PM

THANKS a bunch. Did you try accupuncture? Ive gone in the past, pre-surgery and liked it, but Im out of sessions until 1/1/09(not log from now obviously). hard it really helps with nerve flare ups. I DID put my laptop on phone books today

If anyone has done accpuncure post surgery, is there any specific instructions i need to give them so that they don't harm me more than help?

Again, thanks a ton. Greatful i found this site. Better thear it from fellow patients than surgeons. Have a great evening.