Questions from recent ACDF patient - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Soccermomma · 09-03-2003, 06:01 PM

Hi all,
Just found this message board tonight and it sounds like many of you are pros due to lots of practice.
My symptoms started in mid June 2003 and I had a triple ACDF W/Plate one week ago (Aug. 27) At least one disc was compressing the spinal cord itself. Also had cervical stenosis, oseophyte formation and disc herniation. Dics removed were C 4/5, C5/6, and C6/7.
Recovery started out quickly and has slowed down somewhat although I am still regaining my energy. Insision is healing as expected. My main concern is what is typical or reasonable length of time to expect to see some diminishment of preoperative symptoms?
Before surgery most symptoms were in right hand fingers, especially index and middle fingers. At first numbness on fingertips, then spreading numbness up the finger and finally pain with numbness. The pain was/is constant and simple touching, i.e. petting the dog, writing my name, typing all hurt.
I have been told that symptoms can be relieved almost immediately but often take longer (how long is longer?) I may be expecting to much too soon or it could be that my symptoms may never improve despite the pressure being relieved.
Let me know your experiences and I can get a feel for what to expect. Thanks to all of you.

schragie · 09-03-2003, 06:32 PM

Hi Soc,
You had a very serious surgery--three levels--and healing is going to take some time. I had two levels and it took a couple of months to feel better. The worst pain (the pre-op pain) did go away within a few weeks though. You probably still have lots of inflammatation/swelling so hang in there.

I hope it gets better soon and remember to rest as much as possible to help the recovery.
Lisa

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1999 fusion C5-6 & C6-7
2002 herniation of C4-5

Sprytle · 09-04-2003, 04:26 PM

I had a 3level myself. I didn't have pain, but was missing temperature sensation in my hands. The sensitivity is probably due to the sudden shock your nerves went through, being exposed to light and cold (having been exposed to open air).

After my surgery, I was tender in some areas, especially my left wrist. If the hosptical AC blew on it, it felt like someone was pulling the skin off of it. My doctors later prescribed Neurontin, and then switched to Topomax (after some side effects). These meds help "calm" the nerve reactions down.

It's been a year, and I'm still not recovered from my surgery. I'm always careful how much I pick up, how fast I turn my neck, etc. I have not yet fused completely, and in a few months I will get a CT scan, and the doctors will decide if they are going in again to removed some spurs that have grown at C5/6 and 4/5.

Good luck in your recovery. Ask your doc about Topomax and Neurontin and see if they would help in your case.

Sprytle

Icaaa · 09-04-2003, 07:59 PM

Although far from a medical professional (I teach kindergarten) it sounds as if your body is still reacting to all it has been through. Many of us have experienced the aches and pains as we healed. There was alot going on in there before surgery, then the surgery.

Our biggest suggestion seems to be REST. Your body was already through alot before surgery. Give it time.

Do the pain pills help? Flexerall was my best friend after surgery. I experienced such muscle spasms.
And funny but not always in my neck but other parts of my back. I have not had to take any in about 2 weeks. You had alot more involved than I did even. The NS said after surgery you can do anything you feel like. I took that to mean I would be "cured" upon waking. HA!!

Surgery means healing. You have alot in there to heal.

Keep your Dr. informed about this. But take very good care of yourself. Pamper, sleep, and rest!

Carla

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Ruptured retrieved 14 pieces ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7. (7/18/03)

firedude · 09-08-2003, 12:49 AM

This is my first posting to this site. I also had a three level done. C4-5/5-6/6-7 with hardware using donor bone. Had three hernated disk with C4-5, and C6-7 compressing the spinial cord. Cervical spondylsis, spinal stenosis. Had numbness, tingling, lack of hot or cold in both hands. Both legs were numb and hurt all the time. All feeling in my skin from the nipple line down was almost gone. Could not "Pee" just dripped out. Same with the other end. Couldn't walk with out a cane.
Surgery was done on May 8th of this year. Spent 25 hours in the hospital then went home. Was up and walking 4 hours after surgery. Went back to work on full duty as a firefighter on Aug 11th.
My Nero told me it would take up to two years for full recovery. I feel I'm 90% of what I was before all this started. Still get very tired, want to sleep all the time. Right hand is 100%. Left hand still numb and tingling in pinky, ring and middle finger. My legs still catch the toes while walking when I'm tired sometime, but getting better. Even if I don't get anybetter then this, I can live with it. Sure beats walking with canes and sitting to "Pee".

I felt the best 2 weeks after surgery. I was working out, riding a bike, etc. Should not have done that, but I felt so "normal".

Hang in there, it gets better.

bobby