acdf-long term - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

surf · 10-29-2003, 08:38 PM

I am looking for information or personal experiences relating to the long term prognosis on multi-level fusions. I had c5-7 fused 8 weeks ago and recovery has been outstanding. All of the pain, numbness and muscle weakness has resolved itself. I feel as though I have no physical restrictions and my doc says, go for it after 3 months. I am very athletic(surf, race bicycles, and lift weights. Will this surgery exempt me from my previous activity level?

I have no genetic issues( I was assaulted by an inmate in custody). Currenty, work as deputy sheriff and my doc does not think this will affect my job.

Anybody with info let me know, much appreciated.

[This message has been edited by surf (edited 10-29-2003).]

[This message has been edited by surf (edited 10-29-2003).]

[This message has been edited by surf (edited 10-30-2003).]

siouxzy · 10-30-2003, 06:25 AM

Hi Surf. I am same line of work (L.E.). I had a C6/7 ACDF (partial discectomy, own bone, no hardware). After about 5 weeks I was back at work full time (restricted duties, no offender contact). After 6 months I was on unrestricted duty and there was NOTHING I did not do (go karting , abseiling, wrestling about etc). A couple of years later my fusion failed and I have since had 2 more surgeries and can not carry out most normal daily activities without HEAPS of pain. I couple of friends of mine have had cervical fusions and years (6 plus) are still doing well and are physically active in sport and also unrestricted at work (L.E.). Good luck, I hope you achieve a great outcome.

surf · 10-30-2003, 09:08 AM

Thanx brother for the input, I guess I will have to wait and see. I did forget to add my doc said , think twice before going out in double overhead surf and no more boxing.

Quote:

Originally posted by siouxzy:
Hi Surf. I am same line of work (L.E.). I had a C6/7 ACDF (partial discectomy, own bone, no hardware). After about 5 weeks I was back at work full time (restricted duties, no offender contact). After 6 months I was on unrestricted duty and there was NOTHING I did not do (go karting , abseiling, wrestling about etc). A couple of years later my fusion failed and I have since had 2 more surgeries and can not carry out most normal daily activities without HEAPS of pain. I couple of friends of mine have had cervical fusions and years (6 plus) are still doing well and are physically active in sport and also unrestricted at work (L.E.). Good luck, I hope you achieve a great outcome.

winged phantom · 10-30-2003, 03:05 PM

Can I get into this conversation. My niece is in LE, not me. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.... (not!

) Let me refer you to this post from Leo, which seems to sum it up pretty good: [url="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/Forum113/HTML/001269.html"]http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/Forum113/HTML/001269.html[/url]

I think 3 months is a bit early to go for all the gusto. And whether you go for it at 6 depends on the shape of your muscles, I think. Just always remember that a fusion will put additional stress on the levels above and below it... it's my firm belief that all of us who have fusion surgery will be scheduling more surgery in the future. I'm 6 months post-op for my second surgery; hopefully I only have one more to go, waaaay in the future.

Be careful out there! And thank you for all you do.
wr
ps Hi Siouxzy, "brother!" I didn't know that's what you did!

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12/29/89 C5-6 Microdiskectomy (no fusion)
4/9/03 ACDF C4-7 with plating and donor bone

surf · 10-30-2003, 05:12 PM

hey,winged phantom thanx for the reply. I am working on really strengthening my neck/back muscles to prevent another surgery.