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UPCOMING 3 Level ACDF...

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Posted 4/8/2014 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Today I was scheduled for a 3 level ACDF on May 28, 2014. He says I'll be off work for 8 weeks, is that fairly accurate? He said soft collar with steel chin piece. He says I can take it off. What is the recovery for this like?? Does it "hurt" really bad? Is it super immobilizing? How much can I turn and tilt my head? Kinda scared, kinda not...should I be? My neck kills me everyday-so incredibly sick of it...lots of arthritis and bone spurs in neck...spinal cord pinched...
Posted 4/8/2014 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Oh and it's C4-C7.....
Posted 4/8/2014 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hello SpecialAgent & welcome to the forum. Sorry to read that you are in need of surgery. Have you had a second opinion for this surgery? If not, I would suggest that you get one with a board certified neurosurgeon. When it comes to surgery a 2nd opinion should always be done, it never hurts to play it on the safe side. By chance is your dr a neurosurgeon? Neurosurgeons have more training when it comes to dealing with nerves than an orthopedic.

Of course you will have the normal post-op pain but that is temporary. Hopefully when you wake up the arm & shoulder pain will either be gone or a lot less. It depends on how long the nerve has been pinched. The nerves have to heal on their own.

There is a chance you may be off longer than 8 weeks. It all depends on how you heal after surgery & everyone heals differently. No two cases are alike. You may lose a little mobility but that also depends on whether you will be going to physical therapy or if you will need it. Generally when drs tell us so many weeks of being off they are talking text book talk. Again, every person is different. One of the most important things you can do to help yourself is follow the drs directions to the letter after surgery.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Posted 4/8/2014 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Special! A very warm Welcome to you!

A fusion can take 12 to 18 months to completely heal, although the fusion process happens well before then. Eight weeks seem about right to be off work, although everyone is different and depending on how things go. I would not count on turning and or twisting your head during this time. Your surgeon will give you explicit instructions, and it is extremely important that you follow them.

You want this to take the first time, and not have a repeat later on down the road. Most cervical fusions do better than Lumbar fusions. I had a double lumbar fusion, about 4 years ago, and I sit here today in just as much pain if not more than be fore the surgery, and no fun at all.

If your a smoker, then STOP and do not continue while recovering period! Pain after surgery is expected, but they should have you on something to help with that. Again, I have read that the pain is not as bad for those who have had Lumbar fusions. Makes since if you think about the weight difference between the two. I suppose if you have the big head then maybe more pain! tongue smilewinkgrin turn …..ok, so maybe my attempt at humor is not the greatest! eyes

I encourage you to make this forum your home for chronic pain support. We do understand Chronic pain very well here, and the members are simply awesome!

Enjoy!

SE wink
Posted 4/9/2014 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SpecialAgent and Welcome to Healing Well CP forum, So your going to have a multilevel fusion done in your neck. Three tier is allot to have done at one time! But there are other people on this forum that have had this procedure done. I have had multilevel fusion done in my neck, but all three were done separately at different times.

With any surgery there can be pain involved, I have found that the ACDF Anterior Cervical Disc Fusion was the least painful and I got immediate relief from my arm and hand pain with the surgery! I had a C6/7 ACDF done in 1985, and a C5/6 ACDF done in 2009. The Posterior approach was a different story. I had the articular joints fused at C2/4 done in 2010 and they put in rods and pins to hold it together, that by far was the most painful and took the longest to heal. I had 47 staples down the center of the back of my neck! Anyway with all that fused now, I have lost a bit of mobility in my neck, if you think about it, it makes perfect sense! Each vertebra and disc form a small joint that makes your spine mobile. If you take away a disc and fuse the vertebra on top and bottom of that disc together and literally make it all one big vertebra, then you have completely done away with that joint. Admittedly they each joint will only have only a small amount of mobility, but if you take that away several of them!, In your case multiply by it by the three consecutively joints, then you cannot help but lose at least some of the mobility in your neck. For me, I have personally found the most loss I have is in my ability to look upward, ( to look at the moon and stars right above me, I have to either lay down and look up or contort my body in such away that I can see them!) The other main thing I have noticed is the ability to turn my head sideways, I find that I cannot turn my head near as much as I used to, so I end up having to turn my whole body around to see anything on the extreme sides of my body. In the car, when driving I use extra mirrors to compensate for this lack of motion and visual field!

This type of surgery does require some time to heal, as it takes time for the bone grafts to take hold and fuse the vertebra together! During the recovery it is important to follow your surgeons advice to the Tee! And above all do not do anything that will strain or in anyway compromise your fusion! i.e. heavy or moderate lifting, bending over and straining your neck, or any movements like that. Give your body time to heal, and the grafts time to fuse! Eve though you might feel good, you definitely need to be careful, many people have caused themselves allot of pain and agony and regret by not following these simple precautions. If you follow your surgeons post op instructions and if you have PT follow theirs and you should be fine!

There are others that have had this procedure done and I am sure they will be along to give you support and advice. Oh yes since your surgery is quite away off, just be careful and prudent on what you do between now and your surgery date. You do not want to make anything worse than it already is!

Good Luck to you! and please keep us informed of your progress! When your here on this forum, Your part of our Chronic Pain family and we do care about each other!

White Beard
Posted 4/11/2014 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi specialagent

I had 3 level ACDF (C4,5-C6,7) in January. Getting to the actual surgery date was a journey. My symptoms ranged from migraine headache, shoulder and neck pain, and arm and hand pain. The tipping point came when I began losing motor skills. My hands and arms would go numb, hurt and I kept dropping small objects. My spinal doctor was reluctant to operate until then. Going in, this was a big concern in that I would have permanent damage. I was getting periodic injections over 3 years to control pain. I did get some temporary relief from this.

Previously, two neurologist we're treating my symptoms as a muscular problem. Lots of pain killers, muscle relaxers, and nerve medicine. I still take gabapentin to sleep. Good stuff. I did see a neuro-surgeon. He was quick to suggest surgery. I settled on a spinal surgeon because I was comfortable with him.

I was in a collar for 6 weeks after surgery, Philadelphia and Miami-j. I began weening off over a 2 week period. Actually it was not easy getting out of the collar, neck and shoulder pain drove me back to it. Today, I still cannot swallow solid food, but was told this will get better over time.

Not sure what your occupation is, but there was no way I could return to work after 8 weeks. I travel and use the computer a lot. Typing this reply is killing me. The shoulder and neck pain after surgery was severe for me. Walking was difficult for 3 weeks, lifting more than a gallon of milk is hard. Actually, any physical activity today is hard. If I do something I pay a price and want to jump back in a recliner to relieve pressure on my shoulders. You will need a recliner to sleep for at least 6-8 weeks.

I saw my surgeon 2 weeks post-op and not scheduled again until mid-May. I will then start 6 weeks physical therapy.

My spine had collapsed pretty good, so I have some nerve issues. Still have arm and hand issues which should ease when nerves regenerate. Hopefully. All-in-all, I am better since the surgery. Headaches have diminished, motor skills are returning slowly.

I rambled on here, but hopefully this is helpful. Good luck!
Posted 4/22/2014 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone!! I am two weeks post op today from my acdf surgery, C 4/5 & 5/6. I have been back at work for a few days but only seem to be able to work 4-5 hours tops. I have a "desk" job. I know it takes time to heal and we all heal differently but I don't know if I've come back to work too soon. I was only given a soft collar and told to wear it the first 2 days. I am finding that I am unable to keep my neck straight (shear pain). My fear is that if I can't keep my neck straight I will fuse at an angle. Anyone gone through that? I won't see the surgeon until Friday and I have left his PA a voicemails (not returned cry). I also have had a fever for the past 4 days - could this be related to surgery or have I passed the "call if you experience fever" cut off?

Thanks!!!!

Christina
Posted 4/22/2014 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Christina and Welcome to Healing Well Chronic Pain Forum. May I suggest that you start a new thread introducing yourself, just copy what you have already written and put it in a new thread if you want. I think you will get a much better response, and then all the others here can give you a proper welcome. If you want I can do this for you, just let me know.

You mentioned that you have been running a fever, did you tell the Surgeons PA about the fever? I think I would call your surgeon again, and don't just leave a voice mail or message, I would want to talk with someone, even if it is only a secretary and get their name, and tell them what is going on, especially about running a fever, that way they can tell the doctor!

The other question I have is, did the doctor clear you to go back to work so soon? It does sound like that is a bit early, even if you have a desk job. Your body needs time to heal, and the graft needs time to fuse. I am sure your neck muscles are weakened and you also need time to strengthen them. I am kind of surprised that you were even able to go back to work so soon. Often people feel really good after their surgery, and think that they are all healed and ready to go back to their former selves. But that is a mistake, you can over due it, and then be hurting and it can set your recovery back. Sounds like you definitely need to be talking with your doctor and or surgeon. The sooner the better too.

The fever is a bit worrisome and if the surgeons PA will not return your call, then talk with someone else in the surgeons office, maybe his nurse or someone! If that doesn't work call your Primary Care Physician, and tell them about your concerns, especially about your fever. Remember sometimes you just have to be your own best advocate, and often the squeaky wheel gets the grease. After all, maybe it is nothing with the fever, but again why take the chance?

Please keep us informed of your progress, and again I Welcome you to this forum!

White Beard
Posted 4/22/2014 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you White Beard! I'll certainly follow up with surgeon's office again.
Posted 6/7/2014 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there SpecialAgentBaus,

Did you have your surgery on May 28 and how are you doing.

I'm healing from similar surgery so I'm very interested. Hope you let us know.
Posted 6/8/2014 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to the forum, I find it very comforting. I just had surgery c4-c7 also, so i am very interested in how you are feeling and what all you are able to do now, as I am not able to do anything yet and my surgery was April 21st. Please keep us updated :)
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